Fudgy Meringue Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips ~ divided

1-1/2 cup powdered sugar ~ divided

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp cornstarch

2 large egg whites ~ room temp

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp cream of tartar

Direction/Instruction:

1. Preheat oven 190 deg C.  Coat large rimmed baking sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Place 1/2 cup chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl.  Cook in 15-sec intervals until chocolate softens; stir until melted & smooth.  Cool chocolate to lukewarm about 10 mins. 
3. Whisk 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa & cornstarch in a small bowl to blend.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites, vanilla, salt & cream of tartar in a medium bowl until soft peaks form.
5. Add the remaining sugar in 4 additions, beating just to blend after each addition.  Continue to beat until meringue is thick & glossy like marshmallow creme, about 2 mins longer.
6. Beat in cocoa mixture.  Fold in melted chocolate then 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
7. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepare sheets; spacing 3-inches apart.
8. Bake cookies 7 mins.  Reverse sheets & bake until dry-looking & cracked about 6 mins.  Cool cookies on sheets 5 mins.  Transfer cookies to racks & cool completely