Gluten Free Chewy Chocolate Cookies in Sunny California

Greetings! I hope that you had a blessed Christmas holiday season.  We didn't have a white Christmas here in sunny, warm, California but I can't complain.  We have been having a bit of a heat wave for this time of year.  I hope everyone had a safe journey reaching their holiday destinations.

We enjoyed having the family over for the holidays.  My daughter and her family enjoyed yesterday at Laguna Beach having a bonfire.

 

My little grandson absolutely loves going to the beach.  Here he is yesterday having fun in the sand.

 

Christmas day we decided to sit outside on the patio.  It was so sunny that my daughter had to put on sunscreen!

 All in all, it was a wonderful holiday celebration.  Here's a little craft item that I made from my Planet Penny Cotton:

 

They are hair clips.  I just crocheted the flowers free style and added some beads for embellishment.  I gave them to my friends who have small children.

I love to make cookies and this year I came upon a recipe for chewy chocolate meringue cookies.  After reading the reviews for it and studying the recipe, I came up with my own version which is slightly different.  I made them for my family and they loved them.  (I didn't taste them since I don't eat chocolate!)

Here's the recipe. I believe it's gluten free for those who cannot have gluten:

GLUTEN FREE CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

3 extra large egg whites* (if you use small or medium eggs, then use 4 egg whites) 

3 cups sifted powdered sugar

1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder

dash salt

1/2 Tablespoon vanilla or vanilla powder

1/2 bag ( 1 cup or more) mini chocolate chips

Parchment paper

*Have egg whites at room temperature for better results

In large mixing bowl, beat egg whites at medium high speed until frothy.  You do not want stiff egg whites but they should make soft peaks.  Beat in salt and vanilla.  With mixer running at lowest speed, blend in powdered sugar and cocoa powder.  Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips by hand.  You should end up with a batter that keeps its shape.

Put parchment paper on baking sheets and lightly butter or grease parchment paper.  Place rounded "teaspoons" full of dough on baking sheet, about 2" apart.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 12 minutes.  You will see that cookies are "puffed" up and slightly "cracked".

Remove cookie sheet from oven and let cool on parchment paper before removing to cooling rack.

 Here's a sideways picture of how the baked cookies should appear.  I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Have a Happy New Year and I hope to be back next year with lots more fun ideas to share with you.

Happy New Year from

Pat & Lilly, too!

P.S.  I almost forgot, please stop by Handmade Harbour to see some wonderful craft ideas!