Mint Kisses

The Holiday Cook Extravaganza as begun! It is my plan to make various cookies to give as gifts this year. We will see how it goes.

The first cookies that I made were a staple around my house growing up, at least during the holidays. At a young age I didn't understand what meringue was, so I told my mom that I liked her styrofoam cookies! Ha! Apparently, these cookies reminded me of styrofoam. They definitely do not taste like styrofoam, though. They are a crunchy, airy, chocolate and mint delight! I hadn't made them before, so for a first try with meringue, it was pretty successful. They are pretty crumbly, but maybe that is normal?

This is the version my mom used, but I know there are tons of recipes out there. Some call for more eggs or more sugar...but it worked for me this way. Oh, since I only used the egg whites, I made another cookie that called for just yolks...


Mint Kisses

2 egg whites
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 pinch salt
3/4 c. sugar
drops of food coloring (red or green)
6 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips **Use mint chips if available and omit mint flavoring.** (I used Andes mint baking chips.)
1/2 tsp. peppermint flavoring

Directions
1. Beat first 5 ingredients (*If using flavoring, include here.) until stiff.
2. Fold in chips.
3. Heat oven to 375 degrees and then turn off.
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. (Mine stuck a little, so maybe use parchment paper.)
5. Leave overnight.