Wednesdays Unplugged - Mint Puffs

It's December...that means we have really started the holiday season. Hmmm... I may have to bake some Christmas cookies while I am unplugged today.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Funny thing about joy," she said, "is that you only really find it when you are too busy having fun to go looking for it."~ Leigh Standley, Curly Girl Design

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

I got to thinking about making Christmas cookies and couldn't get my mother-in-law's Mint Puffs out of my mind. They are the one cookie we ALWAYS have at Christmas-time...light, airy meringues that are favorites at our house. I haven't made them yet this year so I don't have a picture...maybe I'll add one after I make a batch...

MINT PUFFS

Recipe from Adelaide Hensrud

• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 drops green food coloring
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 12 oz chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat egg whites, salt and cream of tartar to soft peaks.  Add sugar, then food coloring and extract. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets lined with paper (I have always followed her lead and use a grocery bag with the inside turned out). Put filled cookie sheets into the oven; turn oven off after a few minutes and leave until completely cool, works great overnight.

NOTE: The original recipe called for mint flavored chocolate chips instead of peppermint extract. The chips weren't available for many years so I substituted the extract. Do NOT store in an air-tight container!