Snow Puffed Meringues

By Nicole S

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup Nutella

Details

Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 65mins

Preparation

Step 1

Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Add vanilla and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold in confectioners' sugar.

Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; insert a #96 star tip. Transfer meringue to the bag. Pipe 1-1/2-in.-diameter cookies 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Bake at 225° for 45-50 minutes or until firm to the touch. Turn oven off (do not open oven door); leave meringues in oven for 1-1/2 hours. Remove from the oven; cool completely on baking sheets.

Remove meringues from paper. Spread Nutella on the bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies. Store in airtight containers at room temperature.

Yield: about 3 dozen.