Saltine Meringue Cookies are a variation on the famous and aptly titled Forgotten Cookies. I truly forget about Forgotten Cookies, until they come up in conversation, which was the case last week. My sister-in-law mentioned them in passing and I became kind of obsessed. And then I started thinking about meringue pies with crackers which led to the idea of Saltines in meringues.
Saltine Meringue Cookies Texture and Flavor
The crackers perk up the texture, making it crisper and firmer, while the salt from the crackers adds flavor. I think it makes them a little more stable, too, because these cookies held up to the addition of a good amount of Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chips as well as a half cup of toasted chopped pecans.
The only trick with this recipe and any meringue is getting the center just right. I actually like my meringues slightly chewy in the center, but some people prefer meringues to be dry. For that reason, I've given a range of cooking times.
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Recipe
Saltine Meringues
Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 pinch cream of tartar
- 1 pinch of salt
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup toasted and chopped pecans
- 8 Saltine crackers crushed
- ½ cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- Another ½ to ⅔ cup bittersweet chocolate chips for melting optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar and beat until peaks start to form. Gradually beat in the salt and sugar, 1 heaping tablespoon at a time.
- Fold in the chopped pecans, crushed crackers and chocolate chips.
- Drop batter by heaping tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the oven off and let the meringues sit in the closed oven for another 10 to 20 minutes -- 10 minutes for slightly chewy centers and 20 for crisp through-and-through.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Peel from the parchment when cool.
- If you want, you can drizzle the meringues with melted chocolate. Put the chocolate chips in a decorating bag without a tip. Microwave at 50% power, kneading bag and chips gently every 30 seconds, until chips are completely melted. Snip off tip of bag and squeeze over the cooled cookies.
Judy T. says
I make Forgotten Cookies for my gluten free friends and would not add the saltines.
Anna says
Jan, let me know what you think! I keep playing around with the bake times. So far, my favorite is 350 for 20 minutes and 10 minutes with the oven off, but the cookies were crisper and dryer with 20 minutes oven off.
Jan Harris says
These look good. I have a recipe I want to try that calls for two egg yolks, so I'll have the whites leftover. I might just give these a try.