MARTHASTEWART.COM

Italian Meringue Drops

  • Yield Makes about 400
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Ingredients

  • 2 2/3 cups sugar
  • 9 large egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons plus 2 1/4 teaspoons coffee extract
  • 2 teaspoons chocolate extract
  • 12 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees. Bring sugar and 2/3 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Swirl pan to dissolve sugar. Wash down sides with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Boil until syrup registers 238 degrees on a candy thermometer.
  2. Put egg whites into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on low until foamy. Add cream of tartar. Raise speed to medium-high. Beat until stiff (but not dry) peaks form.
  3. With mixer running, slowly pour in hot sugar syrup. Raise speed to high. Beat until cooled, about 10 minutes. Place one-third of meringue in each of 2 bowls. Fold vanilla into 1 bowl. Fold 3 tablespoons coffee extract into other bowl. Sift cocoa over the mixer bowl; add chocolate extract and remaining 2 1/4 teaspoons coffee extract, and beat on high speed until combined.
  4. Transfer each batch to a separate pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip (such as Ateco #806). Pipe 1-inch drops onto baking sheets lined with parchment, spacing about 3/4 inch apart. Bake until hard to the touch but not browned, 5 hours or overnight. Transfer meringues to wire racks; let cool completely. Meringues can be stored in airtight containers up to 1 week.
  5. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in oil. Dip bottoms of meringues in melted chocolate; transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper to set, about 1 hour.

Recipe Reviews

Reviews (5)

  • cle0o_143
    6 Dec, 2012

    How long does it takes the meringue to hardens? cause it said here until harden then 5 hours or until overnight? can somebody explain it to me?

  • tony20
    18 Mar, 2012

    Boxes can be found @ Glerup.com (Glerup Revere Packaging); Acetate boxes #T109.
    Took me a while to find, but you can see a picture of ithe packages by going to marthastewart.com and putting in "Candy Flavor Ideas" in her Wedding section. Hope this helps!

  • KRN26K
    9 Feb, 2012

    Looks wonderful - but I don't need 400 - how can I get the recipe for the same but a much smaller amount of drops!?

  • MilaR
    10 Sep, 2010

    what size is the box used here and where can i get it?

  • mmsrjs
    7 Jan, 2008

    have wanted to get this recipe for quite some time. can't wait to taste it.