Chocolate Dipped Meringues

Meringues are one of my very favorite treats.  So much so, they were even served at my wedding.  Dipping them in chocolate just makes them oh so much better.  Turned pink, and they make the perfect Valentine treat. I even have a delicious Christmas variation at the bottom.

First, place your egg whites in a bowl and let them stand at room temp for 30 min.  Also, never use plastic bowls for meringues, they'll never set up.  Third, I never have luck with egg whites, they are so hit and miss for me, so I cheated and used meringue powder.  You can too if you want, I won't tell.

Preheat oven to 300 and line two cookie sheets with foil or parchment.

After your egg whites have set (not necessary for meringue powder), add salt, vinegar, extract and food coloring.  Mix till soft peaks form (tips curl).

 Then gradually add sugar, and beat till stiff peaks form, tips stand straight.

 Cut the corner off a freezer bag (gallon size would probably be best, I just used what I had and had to refill a couple times), and insert a star tip.  Fill with the meringue.

 Practice making stars on the tiny fingers of any helpers in the room.

 After you've practiced a few times, move to your baking sheets.  Pipe meringues by simply placing your bag straight up and down, squeeze till its the size you want and pull straight up.  Super easy.

 Bake the meringues and let them cool.  After they've cooled, melt your chocolate and dip the bottom of each meringue in it.  Place back on parchment or wax paper till chocolate has set.

 Then enjoy.  Be careful though, these bite sized goodies are addicting.

 For Christmas, leave out the red food coloring and swap out the vanilla for peppermint extract.  Then after you've dipped them in chocolate, dip in crushed candy cane, seriously the best.  And the presentation is oh so nice too, everyone will think you slaved all day making the adorable treat.

While your here, we have our first giveaway going on right now!  Click here to check it out.