Indulge in the airy delight of dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds. These meringue-based cookies are light, crisp, and infused with the rich flavors of dark chocolate and refreshing mint. Perfect for a sweet treat any time of the day.
Photos of Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds Recipe
The dark chocolate and mint morsels might not be a common pantry item, but they are essential for capturing the perfect blend of rich chocolate and refreshing mint in this recipe. You can find these morsels in the baking aisle of most supermarkets.
Ingredients For Dark Chocolate And Mint Cookie Clouds
egg whites: The foundation of the meringue, providing structure and volume.
cream of tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites and helps achieve stiff peaks.
sugar: Sweetens the meringue and helps create a glossy finish.
vanilla extract: Adds depth of flavor to the meringue.
dark chocolate and mint morsels: Infuses the meringue with rich chocolate and refreshing mint flavors.
One reader, Elise Grace says:
These dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds are heavenly! The minty freshness perfectly complements the rich dark chocolate. Light, airy, and absolutely delicious, they melt in your mouth. Perfect for any occasion!
Mastering the Art of Cookie Cloud Making
How to beat egg whites to soft peaks: Use a mixer on high speed to beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until the mixture forms soft peaks that gently fold over when the beaters are lifted.
How to beat egg whites to stiff peaks: Gradually add sugar and vanilla while continuing to beat the mixture until it forms stiff peaks that stand straight up when the beaters are lifted, and the mixture is glossy.
How to fold in ingredients: Gently incorporate the mint chocolate chips into the egg white mixture using a spatula, making sure not to deflate the airy mixture.
How to drop mixture by tablespoons: Use a tablespoon to scoop and drop the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet, ensuring even spacing for baking.
How to cool on a wire rack: Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing air to circulate around them to prevent sogginess.
How To Make Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds
These cookie clouds are sweet and minty with a hint of bitterness through the mix of dark chocolate and mint chips. Try these moist cookies at home.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3largeegg whites,room temperature
- tspcream of tartar
- ½cupsugar
- 1tspvanilla extract
- 1cupdark chocolate and mint morsels,Nestle
Instructions
-
Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Cover cookie sheet with nonstick silicone pad or parchment paper.
-
Using a mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together in a large bowl at high speed until soft peaks form.
-
Gradually add sugar a little at a time, then vanilla, beating well after each addition until you get stiff peaks, the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is glossy.
-
Fold in mint chocolate chips. Drop mixture by tablespoons onto cookie sheet.
-
Bake 35 to 45 minutes or just until dry. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet.
-
Cool completely on wire rack. Store covered, at room temperature. Makes about 30 cookies.
Nutrition
- Calories: 105.27kcal
- Fat: 5.23g
- Saturated Fat: 2.98g
- Trans Fat: 0.00g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.55g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.18g
- Carbohydrates: 12.83g
- Fiber: 1.74g
- Sugar: 9.65g
- Protein: 1.86g
- Cholesterol: 0.36mg
- Sodium: 15.30mg
- Calcium: 21.52mg
- Potassium: 125.91mg
- Iron: 2.17mg
- Vitamin A: 12.59µg
- Vitamin C: 0.81mg
Elevate Your Cookie Cloud Game with This Simple Trick
To achieve the perfect meringue texture, ensure that your egg whites are at room temperature before beating. This allows them to whip up more easily and achieve greater volume. Additionally, make sure your mixing bowl and beaters are completely clean and free of any grease, as even a small amount of fat can prevent the egg whites from whipping properly.
Time-Saving Tips for Whipping Up Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds
Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure out the sugar, cream of tartar, and vanilla extract before starting to save time during the mixing process.
Use parchment paper: Lining the cookie sheet with parchment paper makes cleanup faster and easier.
Room temperature eggs: Use egg whites at room temperature for quicker and more stable peaks.
Preheat the oven: Start preheating the oven while you prepare the cookie mixture to save time.
Batch baking: If you have multiple cookie sheets, prepare them all at once to bake in batches and reduce overall cooking time.
Substitute Ingredients For Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds Recipe
egg whites - Substitute with aquafaba: Aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas, mimics the properties of egg whites and can be whipped to stiff peaks.
cream of tartar - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides the acidity needed to stabilize the whipped egg whites.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can provide sweetness and moisture, though it may slightly alter the texture and flavor.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a different but complementary flavor profile.
dark chocolate and mint morsels - Substitute with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peppermint extract: Semi-sweet chocolate chips can replace the dark chocolate, and a few drops of peppermint extract can provide the mint flavor.
Plating Ideas for Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds
Use high-quality ingredients: Ensure that the dark chocolate and mint morsels are of premium quality to enhance the flavor and texture of the cookie clouds.
Create uniform shapes: Use a small ice cream scoop to drop the mixture onto the cookie sheet to ensure each cookie is the same size and shape, providing a professional appearance.
Bake to perfection: Monitor the cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking to ensure they are just dry but not overbaked, maintaining a delicate texture.
Cool properly: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing them from breaking.
Plate with elegance: Arrange the cookies on a sleek, white plate in a circular pattern, leaving space between each one to highlight their individual beauty.
Garnish thoughtfully: Add a few fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of cocoa powder around the plate to complement the mint chocolate flavor and add visual appeal.
Serve at room temperature: Ensure the cookies are served at room temperature to maintain their optimal texture and flavor profile.
Essential Equipment for Making Cookie Clouds
Oven: Used to bake the cookies at the specified temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nonstick silicone pad: Placed on the cookie sheet to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Parchment paper: An alternative to the nonstick silicone pad, also used to prevent sticking.
Mixer: Essential for beating the egg whites and cream of tartar to form soft peaks and later stiff peaks.
Large bowl: Used to hold the egg whites and other ingredients while mixing.
Tablespoon: Used to drop the cookie mixture onto the cookie sheet.
Cookie sheet: The surface on which the cookies are baked.
Wire rack: Used for cooling the cookies completely after they are baked.
Spatula: Useful for folding in the mint chocolate chips into the mixture.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the sugar and dark chocolate and mint morsels.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the cream of tartar and vanilla extract.
Preserving the Freshness of Your Homemade Cookie Clouds
Here are the detailed storing and freezing guidelines for dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds:
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them crisp, place a piece of bread in the container with the cookies. The bread will absorb any excess moisture and keep the cookies from getting soft.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the cookie clouds. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Then transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To thaw the frozen cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them come to room temperature on the counter, which should take about 15-20 minutes. Do not microwave them, as this can cause the chocolate to melt and the cookies to become soggy.
- If you want to refresh the thawed cookies and make them crisp again, you can place them on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through and crisp.
- These dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds are delicate, so handle them gently when storing and freezing to avoid breaking them. If you need to stack them, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to prevent sticking and breaking.
Surprising Trivia About Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds
A unique aspect of this dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds recipe is that it uses whipped egg whites to create a light, airy texture, similar to meringues. This technique results in cookies that are crisp on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside.
Budget-Friendly Baking: Are Cookie Clouds Cost-Effective?
The dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The primary ingredients—egg whites, sugar, vanilla extract, and dark chocolate and mint morsels—are relatively inexpensive. The total cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $5-$7. Given the simplicity and affordability, I would rate this recipe an 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness.
Is This Decadent Treat Healthy or Unhealthy?
This dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The recipe is high in sugar, with 1/2 cup of added sugar plus the sugar in the dark chocolate and mint morsels. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
- The recipe relies heavily on egg whites, which are a good source of protein but lack other essential nutrients found in the yolk, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as iron and choline.
- Dark chocolate and mint morsels likely contain added sugars and fats, further increasing the calorie and sugar content of the cookies.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of added sugar in the recipe. Start by cutting it down to 1/4 cup and adjust to taste. You can also experiment with natural sugar alternatives like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
- Use high-quality, dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or higher to minimize added sugars and maximize the potential health benefits of cocoa, such as improved heart health and cognitive function.
- Incorporate some whole grain flour, such as whole wheat pastry flour or oat flour, to add fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the recipe. This can be done by replacing a portion of the egg whites with the flour.
- Add in some healthy ingredients like chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to boost the nutrient content and provide some additional texture and flavor to the cookies.
- Moderation is key. Enjoy these cookies as an occasional treat rather than a daily indulgence, and be mindful of portion sizes.
Our Editor's Take on This Delightful Dessert
This recipe for dark chocolate and mint cookie clouds is a delightful twist on classic meringue cookies. The combination of dark chocolate and mint morsels adds a refreshing and rich flavor that pairs beautifully with the light, airy texture of the meringue. The use of cream of tartar ensures stability in the egg whites, resulting in perfectly formed peaks. Baking at a low temperature allows the cookies to dry out without browning, maintaining their delicate structure. Overall, this recipe is a sophisticated and delicious treat that is sure to impress.
Enhance Your Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Exploring Variations on the Cookie Cloud Theme
Building a Balanced Meal: Appetizers and Main Dishes to Accompany Cookie Clouds
Why trust this Dark Chocolate and Mint Cookie Clouds Recipe:
This recipe combines the light, airy texture of meringue with the rich flavor of dark chocolate and refreshing mint. The use of egg whites and cream of tartar ensures a perfect meringue, while the gradual addition of sugar and vanilla extract guarantees a glossy, stiff mixture. Baking at a low temperature ensures the cookies are just dry enough, creating a delightful crunch. This recipe has been tested and reviewed by our editors, ensuring it delivers consistent and delicious results every time.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!