Good Cookie Recipe

A friend at work brought in cookies that she made with egg whites and black walnuts... they were called Black Walnut Meringue cookies.  I LOVE meringue.  Don't even care to eat the pie that it might be attached to, just want the meringue!  We were talking "cookies" and thought this recipe would be even better with.... chocolate!  So, I came home did a search and found this recipe.  Made them during our latest ice storm and we all loved them, so I had to share the recipe here.

Meringue always reminds me of Grandma Denny and Granny.  They always had the best chocolate pies with even better meringue on top!  I loved it when it would get a little too brown...yum that was the best!

I made these cookies again tonight, but this time I used Splenda instead of sugar.  This makes the calories and the carbs even less.  Not sure the exact carb count with Splenda, but guessing around 7 instead of 10.

Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

24 Servings

• Prep: 20 min. + standing Bake: 20 min.

Ingredients

• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 3 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons finely crushed almonds or walnuts, optional

Directions

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and salt; beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 6 minutes. Beat in cocoa. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts if desired.
• Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert # 806 round pastry tip. Fill the bag with meringue. Pipe 1-1/2-in. hearts 2 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 300° for 20-25 minutes or until firm to the touch. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 2 dozen. 
  
  Editor's Note: Meringue can be dropped by rounded tablespoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake as directed.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 43 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 32 mg sodium, 10 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 1 g protein.

We'll Miss You, Grandma Denny

Norma Denny
(September 2, 1929 - December 20, 2010) 

Norma J. Denny, 81, Reelsville, passed away on December 20, 2010 at Exceptional Living Center in Brazil.

She was born September 2, 1929 in Reelsville, Indiana. She was married to Willard Denny, and he preceded her in death.

She worked at RCA for 16 years and retired from food service supervision at DePauw University’s Longdon, Rector, and Hogate Halls after 34 years.

Survivors include her mother, Kathryn White; one daughter, Sharon Fellows and husband Devin; one son, Raymond Urton and wife Lori; a grandson Brent Urton and wife Kelly; four granddaughters, Melinda Hyde, Felicia Tindal and husband Jonathan; Jerilynn and Annaleah Urton; great grandchildren, Dustin and Erika Hyde, Robbie and Emily Urton, and Riley and Payton Tindal; and two step grandsons, Jeremy and Brandon Templeton.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 23, 2010 at Bittles & Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle. Burial will follow in Boone-Hutcheson Cemetery.

Visitation will be from noon until 2:00 p.m. before the service on Thursday.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana. www.mcclainfh.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana.