Chocolate Cherry Chunk Meringues

Submitted by greysangel

"I made these in one of the classes I took at the Institute of Culinary Education. These are wonderfully light and full of flavor. Not too indulgent for those of us wanting to watch our calorie intake."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Yields: 36 meringues

ingredients

• 4 large egg whites
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 3⁄4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1⁄2 cup dried tart cherry, chopped
• 3 ounces cocoa powder

directions

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
2. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. (this will be either to pipe cookies onto or you can draw circles for the "layers" and then turn the parchment over).
3. Place egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high, and gradually add sugar, a little at a time, beathing until stiff peaks form. Add extract; beat just until blended. Fold in cherries and powder. Fill a bag and with star tip pipe either kisses or whatever shape you want.
4. Bake at 200 degrees for an hour to an hour and a half (longer for bigger shapes). Turn oven off, and cool meringue in closed oven 1 1/2 hours or until dry. Carefully remove meringue from paper.