{Kate's Fairy Garden Party} Susie's Forgotten Meringue Recipe

When we moved into the neighborhood, I discovered that my neighbor has quite the reputation. Well, lots of the ladies have reputations around here (kidding), but Miss Susie is known for her delicious meringue cookies! Once I tried one (I mean some), I was hooked! These little pretties are puffs of sweet heaven. Light, airy and oh so cute! Once you start, it's hard to stop. I asked Susie if she would whip me up some for Kate's Fairy Garden Party, and she sure delivered! The colors were PERFECT! Many of you have requested the recipe & tips...so here you go!

Susie's Meringues
“Forgotten Cookies”
These “melt in your mouth” cookies were my Mom’s favorite, because they were cheap, easy to make and pretty. She made them every Christmas when I was growing up.
My mom called them “Forgotten” because she would preheat the oven to 275 degrees; put the cookies in the oven, then turn it off and leave them overnight (and forget them).
~ Susie

4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1 1/3 cup sugar
In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy.
Sprinkle in salt and cream of tartar; beat until “soft peaks” form.
Gradually add sugar, beating until “stiff peaks” form, about 5-8 minutes.
Take almost the full 5-8 minutes to sprinkle the sugar in.
Make sure the meringue is “stiff” looking or the cookies will droop.
Drop by teaspoonfuls or use a pastry bag with a big star tip onto foil lined cookie sheets.
Top with colorful sprinkles if desired.
Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Bake for 1.5 hours.
Turn off heat; leave cookies in the oven with the door ajar for at least an hour.
Yield: 4 dozen

Other tips:
If you add food coloring- you may need to beat a little more to bring the “stiff” peaks back.
If you get even a drop of egg yolk in the whites, they will never get “stiff”.
How they look when you put them in the oven is exactly how they will look when they are done.
You can place them really close together on the foil
After cooking, the more they dry, the more they melt in your mouth!

Susie, thank you so much for making these for Kate's party and for sharing your mother's recipe with us! Now, my dear readers.....go make some and send me pictures! I would love to see how they turn out! ~ Kim