Chocolate Flecked Meringues (aka Rochers)

May 25th, 2008  |  Published in All, Around the World, Sweets and Desserts, Weekend Projects  |  11 Comments

Chocolate Flecked Meringues

Chocolate Flecked Meringues
Adapted from basic meringue recipe at Chocolate & Zucchini
makes 12 large cookies

2 eggs whites
1/2 c. + 1T. natural sugar
scant 1/2 t. vanilla extract
~ 1T. finely chopped dark chocolate or cocoa nibs

Preheat oven to 285 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.

Whisk egg whites until they form soft peaks. Add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition until sugar is incorporated. Fold in vanilla, then chopped chocolate.

Using two spoons, drop golf ball sized dollops of the mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, then remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and allow to cool for an addition 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

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On the corner of 18th and Guerrero in San Francisco is Tartine, an amazing artisan bakery with some of the most delicious baked goods you’ll ever taste. On a typical weekend morning, the line stretches out the door and around the corner, almost always a sign that something delicious awaits…

I was there for breakfast not too long ago, and while waiting in line to order a ham, asparagus, and gruyere mini-quiche, I spotted some Rochers in the case — classic meringues dotted with cocoa nibs. Even though I’ve never been much of a meringue fan (usually far too sweet), these looked like they were to die for. At the last minute I added a Rocher to my order, and happily tucked it away to eat later in the day.

And let me tell you, it was seriously delicious! The outer section was crisp and airy, and the heart was scrumptiously gooey and dotted with earthy cocoa nibs. If I lived closer to Tartine, I would probably indulge at least a few times a week…

Then, I came across this basic meringue recipe on Chocolate & Zucchini, and a little light went on in my head, illuminating the fact that I could most certainly make these little chocolate-y pillows of goodness at home! And even more, I can count the number of ingredients on one hand (4), and the number of minutes they take to prepare on the other (about 5). So, clap your hands say… Rocher!

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