Forgotten Kisses (Mint Meringues)

Preheat oven to 350˚F for at least 15 minutes.

Beat egg whites until foamy using an electric mixer. Add salt and cream of tartar and beat until stiff but not dry. Add sugar slowly, beating well until stiff and glossy. Fold in the extract and food coloring. Then fold in the chocolate chips.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Place in the oven, close the door and immediately turn off the heat. Leave in the oven for 5 hours or overnight. Do not open oven during this time.

Cookies should be crisp and dry inside.

If cookies have not dried completely during this time due to high humidity or if your oven doesn’t seal well, put meringues back into the oven. Then turn oven on to 200˚F until it’s preheated. Then turn off the oven again and leave the cookies in there for 2-3 additional hours.