Lavender Vanilla Meringues

Where I live, Mother Nature can’t quite make up her mind… it’s warm and sunny one day, cold and windy the next. I may have to be patient for summer weather, but there’s no need to be patient waiting for summer flavors! These meringue cookies are light and airy, with a burst of lavender flavor. If sunshine had a taste, this might be it.

Ingredients (makes 48 meringues)

3 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 drops red food coloring

1 drop blue food coloring

1 teaspoon dried lavender

1 cup white sugar

Directions

Step 1) In  scrupulously clean bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar at high speed for 2 – 3 minutes until soft peaks form.  It’s OK if the peaks fall over at this point, when you lift the beater out of the mixture.

Step 2)  Add food coloring, lavender, and sugar – a little at a time – to egg white mixture.  Beat at high speed for 3 – 5 minutes until mixture is glossy and stiff peaks form.  When you lift the beater out of the mixture now, the peaks should stand up straight.

Step 3)  Drop tablespoonsful of the meringue mixture onto a greased cookie sheet, leaving 1 – 2 inches between meringues.  Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Cool on a cooking rack and Enjoy!