Chocolate Meringue Drops

I just love these cookies! My Mom has been asking for them on and off the last few months, so I decided to make them as a special treat.  Sunday's are our treat days.  As the first day of the week we usually have something extra special like enchiladas, meatloaf, or spaghetti, and I generally try to make sure we have a sweet of some sort.  This is a low calorie treat, so have fun with it!!  It's so sweet and just melts in your mouth.  You'll wonder why you hadn't made them sooner =)

Chocolate Meringue Drops

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup egg whites (room temperature)
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 tbsp chocolate extract

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

*Before you start; make sure egg whites are at room temperature. I've made it with eggs cold out of the refrigerator and it takes a lot longer for the meringue to peak and is more of a pain.

• Place whites, extract, and cream of tartar into a bowl and start whisking at a medium speed until frothy.  
• Then, while the beaters are still mixing, begin to add the sugar, small amounts at a time until it's all in.  
• Continue to beat on high until stiff peaks form. Be patient. It can take a while!
• Spoon mixture into a large zip lock bag, then cut a corner, or use a pastry bag with a large tip. You can also just spoon the mixture onto a pan.  
• Place cookies about 1/4 inch apart.  
• Place pan into oven and set timer for 60 minutes.  
• When time is up, check the cookies by touching the top of them. They are done when the top is slightly crisp. (if they smash easy they are not done).

You can eat immediately out of the oven.

This recipe said it would make 45 cookies, but I actually ended up making 90 cookies because I made them about quarter size. They are so yummy!

Other Flavorings I've tried:

Banana: Thumbs up, has great flavor

Peanut Butter: Very faint, but still pleasant

Lemon: Super! Great taste!

Strawberry: Very faint, pretty good

Chocolate: Great! Tastes like cocoa

Really, just pick an extract you want to try and run with it. This is such an easy recipe you'll have a blast finding your favorite flavors!