Healthier Christmas Cookie Recipe: Forgotten Meringues
For those wanting to watch their weight this holiday season, these old fashioned meringue cookies are a little lighter than heavier brown sugar based cookies and are incredibly easy to make. My grandmother used to call them “forgotten cookies” because you leave them in the oven overnight and they’re very versatile. They have much less sugar than most cookies and no butter so are a healthier Christmas cookie overall, though moderation is key. Because you make them the night before an event they’re great for making with friends while hanging out. All mix-ins can be omitted for less calories.
Ingredients
- 2 egg whites
- ¾ of a cup of granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1-2 tsp. of vanilla extract
- 1 package of mini chocolate chips or chopped mint-chocolates.
- 1 tsp of other flavored extract of your choice and liking (mint, orange) (optional)
- 1-3 drops of your choice of food coloring (optional)
- scoop of malt or cocoa powder (optional)
Methods
01. Heat oven to 350 degrees f.
02. Put egg whites, sugar and salt in a large bowl and using a hand or table mixer beat until stiff (fluffy like whipped cream and form little points or peaks if you turn off the mixer and lift the beaters or whisk out of the mix).
03. While beating the egg whites put in 1 tsp of vanilla extract. You can put in 1 tsp of any other flavor extract you like or another 1 tsp of vanilla if desired. You can also put a little malt powder or cocoa powder if you want malt or chocolate flavored cookies (or both!). If desired add 1-3 drops of desired food coloring. My grandmother used to do green when adding mint flavoring and chopped chocolate mints.
04. Fold in your chocolate chips or chopped mint-chocolate into mix with a spatula if desired. If you don’t like chocolate or want to keep this an even healthier christmas cookie, you can mix in just sprinkles for a speckled and swirled holiday look. Or add nothing at all!
05. Put wax paper on a cookie sheet.Scoop your meringue mixture with small scoop or spoon and dollop them on the sheet in rows. You can be fancy and pipe them if you have a large enough piper nub to accommodate any mix-ins.
06. Turn OFF your oven!
07. Put the cookie sheet with your cookies into the oven. Close the oven and leave in overnight.
08. In the morning open the oven and your “forgotten” cookies will be done! Put them in a wax-paper lined tin or set out on a plate or basket to serve!
