Chocolate Covered Snow Peaks

Ingredients:

• Egg Whites of 4 large egg at room temp
• Superfine granulated sugar 1 cup
• Dark chocolate chips 1 1/2 cup
• Cream of tartar 1 Tsp
• Vanilla Essence 1 Tsp

Preheat oven to 225 degree F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl beat egg whites on low-medium speed until the whites become foamy. Add the cream of tartar and turn speed up to medium, beating until just fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, so it incorporates into the whites slowly without collapsing them. Once all the sugar has been added, add the vanilla and increase the speed to high, whisking until the meringue is firm and glossy, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Place meringue mixture into a piping bag with a medium-sized nozzle attached. Pipe 24 bite-sized meringues onto the trays and place in the oven. Bake it for 1 hour undisturbed then turn off heat and leave in the oven overnight to really dry out.

Melt chocolate over a double-boiler or in the microwave on medium power for 30 seconds. Holding each meringue by the peak dip the bases in chocolate so the bottom half of the meringue is coated. Let any excess chocolate drop off before placing on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Allow to set at room temperature - do not put in the fridge. Once set, store in an airtight container.

[Courtesy: Tyler Florence, Food Network]