Easy Brown Sugar Meringue Cookies

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 250 F.

2. Step 2

   Arrange the oven racks so one is in the upper third and the other is in the bottom third of the oven.

3. Step 3

   Put sugars in food processor and process for about 60 seconds. If you don't have a food processor, you can skip this step. It just helps make the sugar a little finer and it will dissolve more quickly. If you can find superfine sugar , use that along with the brown sugar.

4. Step 4

   Beat the egg whites on medium speed of electric mixer until foamy. Add cream of tartar; continue beating until the egg whites hold soft peaks. Gradually beat in both sugars and continue to beat until the meringue holds very stiff peaks. Beat in vanilla extract. The meringue should be very smooth and have no sugar grittiness.

5. Step 5

   Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. A tiny dot of meringue under the parchment paper at each corner will keep it from moving while you work.

6. Step 6

   Spoon small mounds of meringue on the parchment paper. Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over each mound. Or pipe the meringue using a decorative star tip, if desired.

7. Step 7

   Bake for 1 hour, rotating the baking sheets after 30 minutes. Take a meringue out to test. Break in half; it should be dry in the center. Turn the oven off and leave the door partially open. Leave meringues in the oven for 1 hour longer.