Strawberry Meringue Cookies

Ingredients

  • 6egg whites
  • 1 1/2cups fresh strawberries, hulled
  • 1/2teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2teaspoon vanilla
  • pinch salt
  • 1 1/3cups sugar

Directions

  1. Allow egg whites to stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Draw six 3 ½-inch circles on each paper. Flip paper over; set sheets aside.
  2. In a blender or food processor puree strawberries; set aside.
  3. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl beat egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla, and salt with a mixer on medium until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating on high until stiff, glossy peaks form (5 minutes).
  4. Mound about two-thirds of the egg white mixture onto circles on parchment; spoon puree over mounds. Top with remaining meringue. Using the back of a spoon, lightly spread to edge of circle (see tip, above). Bake 75 minutes with sheets on separate oven racks. Turn off oven. Prop open oven door with a wooden spoon; let sheets sit in oven 1 hour. Transfer with paper to wire racks; cool completely. Store in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days.