Chocolate Nut Clouds

Ingredients

• 2 large egg whites (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• Food color (optional)
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips mini or mint chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 275 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large mixer bowl at high speed, beat egg whites, vanilla extract, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form.
3. Gradually add sugar and, if desired, a few drops of food color and beat until very stiff and glossy and sugar is almost dissolved.
4. By hand, fold in pecans and chocolate chips.
5. Drop by well-rounded teaspoonsful about 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until set and dry to the touch.
7. Cool cookies on cookie sheets for 1 minute.
8. Carefully transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.
9. Store in an airtight container in a cool place.