Mint Julep Kisses Cookies

HeatherFeather's Note:

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.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 24 cookies

• 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.

Reviews

[Rita~]

I had frozen egg whites and brought them to room temperature and they whipped up no problem. These were very easy to make! I used mint liquor and they worked out great. N My next batch will be made with Chambord. This is a keeper.

[GondolaQueen]

I liked this recipe- but I had a few problems with it. First I added the peppermint extract too early, and the whole shebang collapsed, then, on my second attempt, I added the sugar too late, and the whole thing collapsed. When I finally spooned it onto the sheet they looked kind of gross, but when they came out they tasted fine. So, thank you for this easy enough recipe. :)

[LonghornMama]

Made these to use up some egg whites and the family loved them! Easy and really delicious with lots of mint flavor and chocolate. I didn't add the food coloring and followed the electric oven instructions with good results. Thanks for sharing the recipe!