Irresistible Forgotten Chocolate Pecan Meringues Recipe That Melts

Sweet chocolate pecan meringues represent a delightful culinary surprise that changes ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert.

Crisp, airy, and impossibly light, these delicate treats melt gracefully on your tongue with surprising complexity.

Delicate peaks of whipped egg whites create a cloud-like texture that cradles rich chocolate and nutty pecans.

Whispers of sweetness dance between crunchy exterior and soft inner landscape, promising a sensory experience beyond traditional confections.

Mastering meringue techniques requires patience and precise technique, rewarding skilled bakers with elegant results.

Professional pastry chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the sophisticated charm of these elegant confections.

Your kitchen will soon become a playground of delectable magic.

How to Bake Chocolate Pecan Meringues

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Line 2 baking sheets with foil or parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350°F. Gather all ingredients and equipment for smooth preparation.

Step 2: Whip Egg Whites

Use an electric mixer to beat egg whites until they become foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until the mixture looks light and airy.

Step 3: Create Meringue Base

Gradually incorporate sugar in 4 separate additions, mixing thoroughly after each. Pour vanilla extract midway through sugar additions. Beat until mixture becomes glossy with stiff, sturdy peaks.

Step 4: Blend Delicious Mix-Ins

• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Chopped pecans

Use a light touch to maintain the meringue’s delicate structure.

Step 5: Shape Meringue Cookies

Use two teaspoons to scoop and drop meringue mixture onto prepared baking sheets. Create small, rustic mounds with generous spacing between each cookie.

Step 6: Optional Festive Topping

Sprinkle crushed candy canes over meringues for extra holiday flair if desired.

Step 7: Unique Baking Method

Place baking sheets in preheated oven, then immediately turn oven off. This gentle heat technique allows meringues to set slowly. Leave cookies undisturbed in the oven overnight.

Step 8: Cool and Store

Remove meringues from oven the next morning. Let cookies cool completely at room temperature. Store in an airtight container to maintain crisp texture.

Meringue Tips for Crispy Outside, Chewy Inside

• Whip Whites Perfectly: Ensure egg whites are at room temperature and use a clean, dry bowl to achieve maximum volume and stability.
• Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Add sugar slowly and steadily, allowing each batch to fully incorporate for smooth, glossy meringue texture.
• Fold Gently: Use a delicate folding technique with a spatula to maintain the meringue's airy structure when adding chocolate and pecans.
• Check Moisture Levels: Avoid making meringues on humid days, as excess moisture can prevent proper stiffening and crisp formation.
• Patience is Key: Resist opening the oven during the overnight setting process to ensure crisp, delicate meringue cookies with a perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

How to Store Chocolate Meringues Correctly

• Store Carefully: Preserve these delicate meringues in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them away from humidity and direct sunlight to maintain their crisp texture.
• Freeze for Later: Individually wrap each meringue in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen meringues can last up to 2 months without losing their delightful crunch.
• Gentle Reheating: Avoid microwaving, as it will destroy the meringue's delicate structure. Instead, let frozen meringues thaw naturally at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving, ensuring they retain their light and airy quality.

Serving Ideas for Chocolate Meringues

• Pair with Bold Coffee: Serve these sweet meringues alongside a rich, dark roast espresso or French press coffee, which cuts through the sweetness and enhances the chocolate and pecan flavors.
• Match with Dessert Wine: Select a sweet port or moscato wine that complements the meringues' delicate texture and highlights the chocolate's depth, creating a luxurious after-dinner experience.
• Create a Nutty Companion: Offer a side of toasted almond biscotti or walnut shortbread cookies that echo the pecan notes and provide a delightful textural contrast to the light, crispy meringues.
• Enhance with Creamy Counterpoint: Serve a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of mascarpone cream to balance the meringues' crunch and add a smooth, cool element to the dessert.

Meringue Variations for the Curious Baker

• Nutty Chocolate Swirl: Replace pecans with almonds and add a drizzle of dark chocolate on top after meringues cool, creating a rich, elegant variation.
• Mocha Meringue Magic: Mix instant espresso powder into the egg white mixture and replace semisweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chunks for a coffee-infused treat.
• Coconut Crunch Cluster: Fold shredded coconut into the meringue and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top, giving a tropical texture and flavor profile to the original recipe.
• Berry Bliss Batch: Incorporate dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries into the meringue mixture and dust with cocoa powder for a tangy, fruity contrast.

What’s So Special About Chocolate Pecan Meringues

• Discover Effortless Elegance: These chocolate pecan meringues offer a sophisticated dessert with minimal kitchen skills required, perfect for novice bakers wanting to impress.
• Celebrate Textural Wonderland: The recipe delivers a magical combination of crisp exterior, soft interior, and rich chocolate-nutty crunch that dances delightfully on your palate.
• Embrace Lazy Baker's Dream: The unique overnight baking method eliminates constant oven monitoring, allowing you to prepare these delicate treats with minimal active time and maximum convenience.

What’s in Forgotten Chocolate Meringues

Main Ingredients:

Egg Whites: Fundamental base for creating light and airy meringue structure with smooth, glossy texture.

Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the meringue’s delicate structure with fine granulated consistency.

Cream of Tartar: Stabilizing agent that helps egg whites maintain their volume and creates smooth, consistent peaks.

Flavor Enhancers:

Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich background flavor to complement the sweet meringue base.

Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Provides rich chocolate depth and melty texture throughout the meringue.

Chopped Pecans: Introduces nutty crunch and earthy flavor contrast to the sweet meringue.

Optional Garnish:

Candy Canes (Crushed): Adds festive peppermint crunch and decorative holiday appearance to the meringues.

Preparation Accessories:

Parchment Paper or Foil: Creates non-stick surface for easy meringue placement and clean removal.

Forgotten Chocolate Pecan Meringues Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Forgotten Chocolate Pecan Meringues offer a delightful dance of crisp, airy texture and rich chocolate notes. Southern bakers embrace this classic dessert, crafting delicate clouds of sweetness that melt gently on palates and leave perfect memories of nostalgic comfort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites (room temperature)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Sweeteners and Stabilizers:

• ⅔ cup (158 milliliters) superfine sugar
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

Flavor Enhancers and Garnish:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Crushed candy canes (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Arrange two baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil, creating a smooth, non-stick surface for the delicate meringue cookies.
2. Crack egg whites into a clean, grease-free mixing bowl, using an electric mixer to whip them into a soft, billowy foam.
3. Incorporate cream of tartar to stabilize the egg whites, continuing to beat until the mixture transforms into a voluminous, cloud-like texture.
4. Gradually introduce granulated sugar in four incremental portions, thoroughly blending after each addition to ensure a silky, glossy consistency.
5. Midway through sugar incorporation, stream in pure vanilla extract, enhancing the meringue’s aromatic profile while maintaining its structural integrity.
6. Continue whipping until the mixture develops stiff, glossy peaks that hold their shape when the whisk is lifted, indicating perfect meringue formation.
7. Delicately fold semisweet chocolate chips and roughly chopped pecans into the meringue, using a gentle folding motion to preserve the delicate air bubbles.
8. Utilize two teaspoons to carefully deposit dollops of the meringue mixture onto prepared baking sheets, creating rustic, free-form shapes.
9. Optional: Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the meringues for a festive touch and additional flavor dimension.
10. Place baking sheets in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), then immediately turn off the oven.
11. Allow meringues to slowly set and dry overnight, leaving them undisturbed in the residual warmth, which will create a crisp exterior and tender interior.

Notes

• Delicate meringues require precision, so use room temperature egg whites for maximum volume and stability.
• Cream of tartar acts as a stabilizer, helping egg whites reach their peak fluffiness and maintain structure.
• Gradual sugar addition prevents deflation and ensures a smooth, glossy meringue with perfect texture.
• Gentle folding technique preserves the delicate air bubbles, creating light and airy cookies.
• Turning off the oven after placing meringues inside allows slow, gentle drying without browning, resulting in crisp, melt-in-your-mouth treats.
• Overnight resting in the oven completely dries out the meringues, creating a perfect crisp exterior and soft interior.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg