Marion’s Killer Chocolate Chip Meringues
Andrea Potischman
Nov 8, 2017
Meringues are delicious and Marion’s, although you may not know her, are top-notch. Marion is a dear family friend. I have known Marion a very long time–since I was eleven, to be exact–and I adore her.
My mother-in-law first met Marion in 1975 through their sons, who entered kindergarten together at The Calhoun School, where I went to middle school and high school. The boys became great friends, as did the moms. To quote my mother-in-law, “Marion was a great cook and baker. I use the past tense because she gave it up years ago (as most of us did…) except for a few dessert specialties like the meringues (great for Passover), brownies (perfect anytime), and a frozen out-of-this-world ice cream concoction with warm chocolate sauce that is reserved for very, very special occasions”.
This is Marion’s recipe for chocolate chip meringues, which she is allowing me to share. There is nothing fancy about the ingredients, but these meringues are one of my very favorite things. I have not had a meringue made by Marion in 10 years since I left New York and moved to California with my family, but I remember them vividly and compare them to every single meringue I have had since. Hers are undoubtedly the best.
A meringue, pronounced “ma-RANG,” is a type of dessert made from whipped egg whites, sugar, and occasionally with an acidic ingredient such as cream of tartar or citrus. They are often associated with French, Swiss, and Italian cuisines. The key to making a good meringue is obtaining stiff (or firm) peaks when whipping the egg whites. Working with egg whites (as is the case with these cookies) is an important and sometimes tricky technique, so below I have added a bit about whipping egg whites and the various stages you see when working with them.
Foamy: Egg whites are still in a liquid form. You will see some foaming and they may begin to appear opaque.
Soft Peaks: Egg whites are now white and can hold their shape and will not slide out of the bowl if tipped. When lifting the whisk, soft peaks will form and slump slightly to the side.
Glossy Egg Whites: Adding sugar (or other ingredients) to whipped egg whites can either add flavor, help stabilize, or increase volume. Cream of tartar is added to this recipe to stabilize the protein and increase the volume needed for making meringues. Sugar is also gradually added. If it’s added too fast, the egg whites will collapse the foam, so slow and steady is the best way. Adding sugar causes the egg whites to take on a glossy almost velvety appearance.
So, if you are a meringue lover, need something to bring to a Passover seder in the Spring, or just want a good recipe to try, I suggest you try these. I head back to New York for Thanksgiving, fingers are crossed I will see Marion and have one of her famous meringues again then.
Chocolate Chip Meringues
Ingredients:
- 4 egg whites
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 2/3 cups superfine sugar
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In the bowl of a kitchen mixer, such as a KitchenAid fitted with a whisk attachment, add the eggs and beat on medium-high speed until foamy. Add a pinch of salt and the cream of tartar and continue to beat until they hold soft peaks. With the mixer running, very slowly add the sugar until the mixture holds very stiff (or firm) peaks. It should be smooth and glossy (as seen in the photo above). Turn the mixer off and carefully fold in the chocolate chips.
- Place a little bit of the meringue on the underside of each corner of the parchment paper to prevent it from sliding.
- Using a teaspoon, spoon out the meringue onto the prepared baking sheets in dollops that are approximately 1-inch in diameter. Spoon about 18 meringues per baking sheet, being careful not to overcrowd.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 1 hour, or until the meringues are firm to the touch and can be lifted without sticking. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through the cooking process so the meringues cook evenly. Meringues should be stored in an airtight plastic container separated by parchment paper.
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