CHOCOLATE-FILLED MERINGUE SHELLS

Chocolate-Filled Meringue Shells image

"This has been a favorite easy Easter dessert for years," writes field editor Janis Plourde of Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario. "It looks and tastes spectacular."

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 large egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Toasted chopped pecans

Steps:

Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Add vinegar and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in cinnamon-sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved., Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon meringue into eight mounds on paper. Using the back of a spoon, shape into 3-in. cups. Bake at 250° for 30 minutes. Turn oven off and do not open door; let meringues dry in oven for 1 hour. Cool on baking sheets on wire racks., In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Spread 2 teaspoonfuls over the bottom of each meringue shell. Whisk 1/2 cup cream into remaining melted chocolate; cover and chill until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. , In a small bowl, beat remaining cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and cinnamon, beating until stiff peaks form; set aside half of cream mixture. Fold remaining cream mixture into chilled chocolate mixture; pipe into meringue shells. Dollop with reserved cream mixture; sprinkle with pecans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 332 calories, Fat 23g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 61mg cholesterol, Sodium 107mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (31g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.