Yield: 2 1/2 dozen *GF
Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
food coloring, optional
Directions:
Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add extracts and vinegar; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved, about 6 minutes. Beat in food coloring if desired.
Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plactic bag; insert a round pastry tip. Fill bag with egg white mixture. Pipe 1 1/2 inch diameter clouds onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.
Bake at 250 for 40-45 minutes or until set and dry. Turn oven off; leave cookies in oven for 1 hour. Carefully remove from parchment paper. Store in airtight container.
I have always had many reservations about making meringue cookies. Especially when I am making thirty other cookies I've never had time to just let them sit for another hour in the oven. I was also afraid of not knowing if I had mixed the dough enough. However, I found them quite simple to make! The original recipe called for tiny chocolate chips that you would place onto them for the eyes of ghosts. I didn't have any around and after eating about seven of them when they came out of the oven, I didn't miss them either. This recipe does make quite a few and you could always double it to make a extra large batch. They are light and airy and have a great almond taste. The originall recipe also called for just regular cider vinegar but apple cider vinegar was all I had on hand. I don't think it changed it too much but made them perfect for fall. You could also add any type of extract you wanted instead of the almond extract. Orange or lemon might be great for a summery snack. I do like these better than the store bought ones I've tried because they are as crumbly. And surprise! They are gluten free!!
My husband thought these needed something else, but I loved them. They were still light and fluffy days later. I loved that they were so low-cal and light. I ate them by the handfuls! They were gone by the fourth day and I think I ate them all!
ReplyDelete