Mint Julep Kisses Cookies

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any day,these small green puffs are light, airy bites of mint flavored meringue with tiny bits of chocolate inside. They are very tasty and can be a little addictive! These don't keep long - plan to serve these very soon after making them. If you try the overnight method, make these before bedtime and your cookies will be ready and waiting in the morning. You can also make them early in the day and once the oven is completely cooled, they should be ready.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Yields: 24-36 cookies

Ingredients

• 2  egg whites
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  peppermint extract
• 2  drops  green food coloring
• 6  ounces  mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat gas oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding in the sugar while beating.
3. Add mint extract and food coloring.
4. Stir in the mini chocolate chips by hand.
5. Drop by teaspoonful onto parchment lined cookie sheets.
6. Set pans into oven and immediately turn off the heat and leave in the oven overnight (no peeking)- as the oven cools down, the cookies will cook.
7. OR set the pans in the preheated oven and immediately reduce the heat to 275 F and bake for 50 minutes.
8. Check 10 minutes early in case your oven runs hot- when done, they should be airy, light puffs that are very crisp and fragile on the exterior.
9. NOTE: This recipe really is meant for a gas oven;electric ovens don't cool down as quickly and may overcook your meringues so the overnight method isn't recommended.
10. Instead, if you have an electric oven, simply preheat your oven to 275F and cook for 40-50 minutes.