Meringue Mushrooms

Ingredients and Weight:

• 6 large egg whites
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty Level:

3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 200°F (93°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add cream of tartar and gradually beat in sugar until stiff peaks form.
3. Spoon meringue into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe 1-inch (2.5 cm) circles onto the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until meringues are dry and crisp.
5. In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter together. Dip the bottom of each meringue into the melted chocolate and place on a plate.
6. Add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of each mushroom, if desired.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 mushroom):

• Calories: 120
• Fat: 7g
• Protein: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g

Dish Characteristics:

• Light and airy meringue with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior
• Rich and decadent chocolate filling
• Elegant and sophisticated presentation
• Perfect for special occasions such as Valentine's Day or Mother's Day

User Comments:

• "These meringue mushrooms are so cute and delicious! They were a hit at my tea party."
• "The meringue was so light and the chocolate filling was perfect. I will definitely be making these again."
• "These were easy to make and turned out beautifully. My guests loved them!"

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Do not overbeat the egg whites, or the meringue will become dry and brittle.
• To prevent the meringue shells from cracking, allow them to cool completely before filling.
• If you don't have a piping bag, you can spoon the meringue onto the baking sheet and shape it into circles with a butter knife.
• For a more intense chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate chips.