Meringue Cookies

Adapted from foodnetwork.com

• Ready In: 2 hrs 50 mins
• Yields: 1 dozen

Ingredients

• 1  egg white
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1⁄4 cup  superfine sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped  nuts (optional)
• 1  tablespoon  cocoa (optional, mixed with 1 tbsp sugar)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg white until foamy.
3. Add the cream of tartar and beat until fluffy but not at all dry. (Be careful not to over beat.).
4. Add the sugar gradually. When 1/2 of the sugar has been added, add the vanilla extract.
5. Continue beating and adding remaining sugar in batches, until all of the sugar is dissolved and the meringue is very shiny and tight.
6. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
7. Working one tablespoon at a time, push a tablespoon of meringue onto the lined baking sheet, leaving 1-inch of space between cookies.
8. Place baking sheet in the preheated oven and turn the oven off.
9. Leave the cookies (undisturbed) in the oven for at least 2 hours and up to overnight, or until cookies are crisp and dry.