I dare you to stop after just one of these light and airy little treats; they melt on your tongue, leaving just a kiss of mocha flavor behind. Wait for a cool, dry day to attempt these, as humidity ruins the texture of meringues, making them grainy and gummy.

　　

Ingredients

makes 12 meringues

　　3 large egg whites, at room temperature

　　Pinch of fine sea salt

　　3/4 cup superfine sugar (see Cook’s Note)

　　1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

　　1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

　　2 teaspoons instant espresso powder

　　2/3 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

　　

Step 1

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

　　

Step 2

In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt on medium-low speed until frothy, about 1 minute. With the machine on medium-high speed, gradually add the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Add the cream of tartar, vanilla extract, and espresso powder. Increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture is thick and holds stiff peaks, 3 to 5 minutes. Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips.

　　

Step 3

Drop 1/4 to 1/2 cupfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for another 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and allow the meringues to cool while still in the oven, about 2 hours.

　　

Step 4

Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

　　

Cook’s Note

Step 5

Superfine sugar can be found in most well-stocked supermarkets and in specialty baking stores.

　　Giada at Home by Giada De Laurentiis. Copyright © 2010 by Giada De Laurentiis. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash. She attended the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and then worked in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, before starting her own catering and private-chef company, GDL Foods. The granddaughter of movie producer Dino De Laurentiis, Giada was born in Rome and grew up in Los Angeles, where she now lives.