Chocolate Chunk Meringues

How was everyone’s weekend?  I can’t help but be envious of anyone who got an Easter basket yesterday.  For my entire life I’ve wanted one, is that weird?  You better believe that I will be taking advantage of the post-Easter candy sales, though!  I hope I can get my hands on some of those solid milk chocolate Hershey’s eggs with the pastel candy shells, they have been my favorite Easter candy forever.

While I didn’t get an Easter basket, I did have a wonderful weekend, one of the best in a while.  We spent both Friday and Saturday nights with family for the Passover seders.  It was such a nice treat that we got to be with both my family and Matt’s family on Saturday.

I have to admit that the weekend highlight, though, was Saturday morning and afternoon.  That was the first day since I don’t remember when that Matt and I got to just relax and do whatever we wanted for the better part of a Saturday.  It started with sleeping “late” (i.e. 7am) and then proceeding to be in my PJs all day while we watched TV and started planning a vacation.  Speaking of which, would someone like to plan that vacation for us?

After months of working around the clock every.single.day. and a head full of stress, it was the best Saturday I could have asked for.  It was sad to see the weekend end, but next weekend we are going on a mini getaway to Philly.  We had a credit for a hotel stay so we are taking advantage of it to get some time to ourselves.  Any suggestions of things we should do are welcome.  Note: I grew up outside of Philly so we have already done all of the regular tourist stuff.

For Saturday’s seder, I brought dessert of course.  After being on my feet all week I was happy to have some leftover Matzo Crack and Flourless Brownies (special requests) from Passover orders.  I did want to make a little something else, though.  With all the extra egg whites I had in my fridge, I had big plans for a fancy pavlova.  However, tired feet and lack of sleep got the best of me so I stuck with something simple, meringue cookies.  I spiced them up with chopped chocolate chunks and you know what?  These were such a hit!  I’ll say it again, the key to Passover desserts is sticking with things that aren’t meant to be something else.  Naturally flourless is key.
Chocolate Chunk Meringues
Makes ~6 dozen meringues
Note: Before making your meringues, make sure your mixing bowl and whisk attachment are very clean.  I wiped mine down with white vinegar to ensure there was no leftover grease to prevent the meringue from forming.

Ingredients:
6 egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
8 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees; line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside
In the large bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt at medium speed until the mixture has formed soft peaks
In crease the speed to medium high and slowly add the granulated sugar, one heaping tablespoon at a time
Keep mixing for several minutes until the meringue is stiff and glossy
Remove bowl from mixer and gently fold in the chocolate
Use a teaspoon to drop meringues onto prepared baking sheets about 1/2 inch apart (they do not expand much in the oven)
Place baking sheets in the middle and lower portions of the oven; bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until meringues are firm  and no longer spongy; the edges may start to brown
Remove parchment paper from the baking sheets and allow to cool; store in an airtight container away from humidity up to three days
Adapted from Food and Wine

There is another dessert giveaway on Chocolate and Carrots today!  Go check it out and say hi to Caroline:-)