Dreamy Dark Chocolate Mint Clouds (Printable Version)
Airy chocolate meringue with cool mint chips and dark chocolate pieces.
# What You Need:
→ Meringue Base
01 - 4 large egg whites, room temperature
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
→ Chocolate & Chips
07 - 3 oz dark chocolate (70%), finely chopped
08 - 2/3 cup mint chocolate chips
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar using an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy.
03 - Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, while beating on high speed. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form (about 6-8 minutes).
04 - Beat in the salt, vanilla, and peppermint extract until just combined.
05 - Gently fold in the chopped dark chocolate and mint chips with a spatula.
06 - Using two spoons or a piping bag, drop or pipe mounds of meringue (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
07 - Bake for 60 minutes, then turn off the oven and let the meringues cool inside, undisturbed, for another 30 minutes to dry out.
08 - Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheets before serving or storing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cookies look like you spent hours in the kitchen but actually need about 20 minutes of active work
- The texture is something else: crisp outside, marshmallowy inside, with melty chocolate pockets throughout
02 -
- Even a tiny drop of egg yolk or grease in your bowl will keep your whites from whipping properly. Use glass or metal bowls and make sure everything is scrupulously clean.
- Humidity is the enemy of meringue. If it's raining or super muggy outside, these might never crisp up properly. Save this recipe for dry days.
03 -
- If you want to pipe these into pretty shapes, use a large star tip and they'll come out looking like bakery cookies.
- A tiny pinch of green food gel in the meringue makes these look incredibly festive without affecting the taste.