Recipe: Fruit-Filled Chocolate Meringues

Fruit-Filled Chocolate Meringues
Source: The American Institute for Cancer Research

2 egg whites at room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
dash salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
3/4 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, halved or quartered depending on size
3/4 cup fresh or frozen whole raspberries
1 Tbsp. superfine or confectioners sugar (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar, vanilla and salt until soft peaks form (tips of peaks will curl over when beaters are removed).

Beat in sugar a little at a time until stiff peaks form (peaks will remain upright when beaters are removed). Sprinkle cocoa over top and fold in gently.

Drop meringue by 1/4 cup portions onto parchment paper that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Indent center of each with back of tablespoon.

Bake 45 minutes or until dry to touch. Remove and cool. When completely cooled, store in an air-tight container to prevent meringues from becoming soggy before serving time.

Just prior to serving, fill center of each meringue with mixture of fruit so berries mound slightly. Lightly dust fruit with sugar to garnish. If confectioners sugar is used, sift lightly over berries using a small strainer and spoon to move sugar through strainer. This technique achieves light dusting desired.

Makes 6 meringues, each containing 89 calories and less than 1 gram of fat.