Coffee Meringue Acorns Food

COFFEE-MERINGUE ACORNS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Combine egg whites and sugar in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, and whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm, about 3 minutes. Whisk in salt and cream of tartar; remove from heat.
• Beat mixture with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form and meringue is mostly cooled, about 7 minutes. Beat in extract.
• Fit a pastry bag with a 3/8-inch round tip (Ateco #804) and fill bag with meringue. Pipe meringue "kisses," each 1 inch in diameter, releasing pressure and pulling pastry bag straight up to create each, 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until crisp on outside and able to release easily from parchment, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• Melt chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring until smooth; remove from heat. Working 1 at a time, dip base of each meringue in chocolate, then coat base completely with nuts. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets and let stand until set, about 1 hour. Meringues can be made 5 days ahead and stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature.

COFFEE ALMOND MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250ºF.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the coffee granules and egg whites and beat until frothy.
• Add the salt, cream of tartar, and cinnamon.
• Beat with mixer until soft peaks slowly form.
• Gently add both sugars and almond extract.
• Beat until stiff peaks form.
• With a rubber spatula, fold in the toasted slivered almonds.
• Drop by heaping teaspoons 1 1/2" apart on to the parchment lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 30-35 minute.
• Turn off the heat, but leave the meringues in the oven for an additional 30 minute.
• Remove the parchment (with the meringues on it) from the baking sheet and let cool completely on the counter.
• Peel the cookies from the parchment and store in an air tight container.