Chocolate Meringue Cookies

I had to look up what cream of tartar is in Spanish (cremor tártaro or crema de tártar) because I want to make Chocolate Meringue Cookies. I've been making a LOT of homemade chocolate pudding lately (it's one of my favorite comfort foods when I'm sick) and since it calls for only the egg yolks (three, to be exact), I have a stash of egg whites in my fridge to use up. What better way than meringue cookies?! And how fortunate that the chocolate meringue cookie recipe calls for three egg whites. That means I have enough for four or five batches.

Since it's possible you might end up with an excess of egg whites at some point in your life, I wanted to share the chocolate meringue cookie recipe with you. They are scrumpdillyicious!

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE COOKIES

3 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup white sugar

1 T. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips

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Preheat oven to 300° F (150° C).

Combine egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla.

Beat until the whites form soft peaks.

Slowly add sugar; beat until stiff peaks form, and mixture becomes glossy.

Fold in cocoa and chocolate chips.

Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls on to a greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Now I'm off to find cremor tártaro or crema de tártar so I can make some of that chocolatey goodness myself.

Homemade Granola Bars

I'd like to share this amazing granola bar recipe that I found on Tasty Kitchen. I've tried several recipes over the years and have always been disappointed by the taste and/or texture -- until this one, which scores high on both.

GRANOLA SQUARES

• ½ cups Melted Unsalted Butter
• 1 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
• ¼ cups Granulated Sugar
• 1 whole Egg
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tablespoons Honey
• 1-½ cup Quick Oats
• 1 cup Flour
• 1-¼ cup Rice Krispies
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup Chopped Pecans
  

1. Cream butter and sugars together in a large bowl.
2. Add egg, vanilla, and honey.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients.
4. Pour wet ingredients into the dry mix bowl and mix well.
5. Press granola into a greased baking pan (I use a 9 x 12” but if you’d like thinner bars, go with a bigger pan).
6. Bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes or when the top is very light brown.
7. Let cool and cut into squares or bars.

Enjoy!