FORGOTTEN COOKIES

By melissawelch

Ingredients

• 4 EGGWHITES @ ROOM TEMPERATURE
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 12 oz (2 cups) miniature bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped shelled pecans (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Put egg whites into a clean bowl whisk with electric mixer @ medium low speed until frothy, about 2 mins. Add salt and gradually increase speed to high until egg whites are stiff but not dry peaks about 1 and ½ mins. Reduce speed to medium add vanilla, then add sugar a few Tablespoons at a time, continuing to beat whites until sugar dissolves and they are smooth and glossy, about 2mins.

2. Divide whites into 2 batches. Gently fold chocolate chips and if you like pecans into the whites with a rubber spatula. Take care not to deflate the whites. Drop meringue by the tablespoonful onto parchment fitted cookie sheets spacing them about 1 inch apart.

3. Bake for 45mins, then turn off oven overnight or until completely cool, @ least 4 hours. Remove cookies from oven and store in airtight containers for up to 1 month