Jeweled Jelly Belly Nests

• 6 egg whites
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 12 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 12 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 12 cups sugar
• 4 ounces assorted jelly beans
• decorative candies or sherbet, to fill nests

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Using a round cookie cutter or a small can, trace the outline of a 3 1/2 inch to 4 inch circle, for 10 circles.
4. Set aside.
5. In the clean, dry mixing bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites, salt and cream of tartar, until soft peaks form.
6. With the mixer running, add almond extract and gradually add sugar.
7. Beat until stiff and glossy.
8. Spoon about 3/4 cup meringue onto parchment lined baking sheet, using tracing lines as a guide for size.
9. With a large spoon make an indentation in each meringue mount to form a nest.
10. Gently press jelly beans into sides of meringues.
11. Bake for 2 1/2 hours at 170 degrees F, or until hard.
12. Fill with jelly beans and assorted Easter candies.
13. Or for an elegant dessert, fill meringue nests with small scoops of pastel sherbets, serve immediately.

egg whites, salt, cream of tartar, almond, sugar, beans, decorative candies

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/jeweled-jelly-belly-nests-182150 (may not work)