CHOCOLATE MERINGUE CUPS

Chocolate Meringue Cups image

Looking for something low in cholesterol that will satisfy your sweet tooth? Give this airy cloud of cocoa meringue and chocolate mousse a try! It's a bit fussy, but it's well worth the effort. -Ellen Govertsen of Wheaton, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h15m

Yield 15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE:
1 cup fat-free milk
1 egg
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons corn syrup, divided
1/4 cup baking cocoa
3 ounces semisweet chocolate
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold water, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
15 peppermint candies, crushed

Steps:

Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat egg whites until foamy. Beat in the vanilla, salt and vinegar; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Sift cocoa over egg whites; fold into egg whites., Drop 15 heaping tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Shape into 3-in. cups with the back of a spoon. Bake at 275° for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Turn oven off; leave meringues in oven for 1-1/2 hours., In a large saucepan, combine the milk, egg, 1/4 cup corn syrup and cocoa. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture reaches 160° and coats a metal spoon. Remove from the heat. Add chocolate and cream cheese; stir until melted., In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook and stir over low heat until gelatin is dissolved. Stir gelatin and vanilla into chocolate mixture. Cool., In a heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and remaining corn syrup and water. Cook over low heat and beat with a hand mixer on low until mixture reaches 160°. , Pour into a large bowl; beat on high until soft peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture. Chill for 1-2 hours or until mixture mounds., Just before serving, spoon mousse into meringue cups; sprinkle with peppermint candy pieces.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 201 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 153mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein.