Chocolate Walnut Meringues are like eating chocolate clouds. The flaky exterior breaks away to reveal a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate delight with bits of crunchy walnuts topping off the experience.
Ingredients: 12 oz. package chocolate chips, 4 egg whites, at room temperature, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup chopped walnuts.
Instructions: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place mixing bowl and beaters in freezer for a few minutes while you melt the chocolate chips in a small saucepan on the stove (this helps the egg whites to form peaks quicker). Stir the chocolate chips until completely melted; remove from burner and allow to cool slightly.
Remove the mixing bowl and beaters from freezer; place egg whites in bowl and beat until foamy, 30-45 seconds. Gradually add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, until stiff peaks form. This means when you stop the mixer, lift it from the mixture and a peak stands on its own, it's ready (could take up to 5 minutes). Add vinegar, salt and vanilla, beating well. By hand, fold in the melted chocolate and the nuts; gently stir until no white remains.
Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto well-greased baking sheets. Bake at 300 degrees 14-15 minutes. The cookies will spread and crackle on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet before transfering to cooling racks.
Store in an airtight container, removing when a chocolate attack arises! Makes approximately 3 dozen chocolate clouds.
Cookies Rule!!!
