Peppermint Hot Chocolate Meringues

peppermint hot chocolate meringues

minty fresh

Ingredients:

• 4 egg whites, room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

• 1/2 cup chocolate, melted (I used semi-sweet chips)

• 3 candy canes, crushed

• 1 candy cane, crushed for topping

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 225ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large, clean bowl, add the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt and whip with a hand mixer until they turn foamy and leave trails. About 2 minutes.

3. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, continuing to whip on high speed as they turn glossy.

4. Whip until stiff peaks form, when you pull up the hand mixer the peaks should not fall into themselves. You can also test the peaks by flipping the bowl upside down.

5. Mix in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.

6. Add in the melted chocolate and 3 crushed candy canes.

7. Fold with a spatula to gently mix together leaving streaks in the batter.

8. Use two spoons to dollop the batter onto the sheet in little mounds.

9. Top each meringue with some more crushed candy canes and bake for one hour.

10. Enjoy!