Sparkling Kisses

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or extract of your choice)
• 1 teaspoon sugar crystals (enough to shake on top)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 250°F Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two large baking sheets.

2. 2

   In large bowl, beat egg whites till foamy, then add salt and cream of tartar.

3. 3

   Add sugar gradually, continuing to beat, until meringue is thick and glossy and forms stiff peaks.

4. 4

   Stir in vanilla or other flavoring at the end.

5. 5

   Drop meringue by tablespoonfuls (a tablespoon cookie scoop works well here - I actually used a pastry dispenser with the star attachment) onto prepared baking sheets.

6. 6

   Sprinkle each with sparkling sugar crystals.

7. 7

   Bake for 1 hour, then turn off the oven and let the kisses cool in the unopened oven (don't peek!) for 2 1/2 to 3 hours (1 1/2 to 2 hours for meringues that are chewy in the center, rather than crisp all the way through).