Forget Me Not Cookies

January is almost over and into February we go!  Will it rain or will it snow?!  Here in Ohio, blink and you might get both in one day!  So trying to plan activities according to the weather always proves to be a challenge at this time of year.  With that said, I find that a good time to head to the kitchen to get creative with already existing recipes or just make something up and hope for the best.  This last weekend I dedicated it as a total dessert weekend.  It was cold and gray out and nothing says comfort like a warm oven with buttery and chocolate goodness wafting from its vents. 

My spotlight cookie was a recipe that I obtained from one of my Emeril Lagasse cookbooks.  He calls these cookies "Forgotten Kisses", my mom always called these "Forget Me Not Cookies".  I went for her title and upped the anty on Emeril's recipe. These are light and airy with rich chocolate and a bite of sweet cherry.  Wonderful as a gift wrapped in a pretty box or just to snack on with your cup of coffee or tea.   What is your favorite cookie?

Forget Me Not Cookies

4 large egg whites at room temp
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semi sweet mini chocolate morsels
1/2 cup chopped candied cherries
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl, beat your egg whites with an electric mixer until your egg whites are foamy.  Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until fluffy (soft peaks will form), start adding your sugar 3-4 Tbsp at a time.  When you have put in half your sugar add your vanilla extract, then continue adding the rest of the sugar slowly until completely incorporated.  Stop beating with mixer.  Using a rubber spatula, fold in nuts, chocolate chips and cherries. 

I used non stick foil on my cookie sheets for the best results.  Next you can use a regular spoon or I used a small melon ball scoop to place on the sheets approximately 1 inch apart.  Once cookies sheets are full place in oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF, yes, I did say it, turn the oven off!  Leave them for a minimum of 2 hours before opening the door.  They will dry cook on their own.  You can leave them overnight if you want and they will be ready for your morning coffee.

 

ENJOY!