Chocolate Mint Mousse Meringues
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
- 1 (10-ounce) package mint chocolate morsels
- Coarsely crushed hard peppermint candies
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; draw 6 (3 1/2") circles onto paper. Turn paper over to prevent markings from touching meringues; set aside.
- Beat egg whites at low speed with an electric mixer until foamy; add cream of tartar. Increase speed to medium; gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high; gradually add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugars dissolve (2 to 4 minutes). Fold in peppermint extract.
- Immediately spoon meringue into mounds on paper circles. Shape into circles, using the back of a spoon, and mounding the sides at least 1/2" higher than centers. Bake at 225u0b0 for 1 hour and 35 minutes. Turn oven off. Let meringue shells stand in closed oven 8 hours. Peel shells gently from parchment paper. (Store meringue shells in an airtight container up to 2 days before filling.)
- Place whipping cream and chocolate morsels in a saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat, and cool completely. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Beat chocolate mixture at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until thickened and firm.
- Spoon mousse evenly into meringue shells; sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
- Meringue Moxie: Follow the tips below for snow-white, crisp meringues every time.
- Want meringues with the most volume?
- *Use room temperature eggs. Run eggs (still in the shell) under very warm water 30 seconds; pat dry.
- *Beat egg whites in a clean bowl, free of grease; a greasy bowl inhibits fluffy results.
- *Use a little cream of tartar; it helps produce a stable meringue that won't deflate. Quickly spoon meringue onto baking sheet, and bake immediately after mixing.
- What's the key to crispy?
- *Hard meringues have a high sugar content, 1/4 cup per egg white. The sugar draws water away from beaten egg whites so that in the oven the meringues become crisp and dry.
- *Using powdered sugar makes hard meringues very light.
- Can I make them ahead?
- *Hard meringues should keep several days when stored in an airtight container. If needed, recrisp them in a 200u0b0 oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
egg whites, cream of tartar, sugar, powdered sugar, peppermint, whipping cream, mint chocolate, hard peppermint
Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-mint-mousse-meringues (may not work)