Pecan Clouds Recipes

PECAN PUFFS (MERINGUE COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form (5-8 minutes).
• Fold in vanilla and pecans.
• Drop by well-rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.
• Bake at 200 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until firm to the touch.
• Store in airtight container.

MERINGUE CLOUDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange two oven racks evenly in the oven.
• Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spread the sugar in an even layer on the paper. (Leave a small border of paper around the sugar so the sugar doesn't spill onto the pan.) Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the sugar is hot (an edge will begin to brown). Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When the sugar is almost ready, whisk the egg whites on high speed for 1 minute, until the whites are frothy. With the mixer still on high, slowly add the hot sugar to the egg whites. (I use a large spoon to start and then pick up the paper and pour the sugar in slowly.) Add the vanilla and continue to whisk on high for 10 minutes, until the meringue is at room temperature. It will be very thick and glossy.
• Using two large serving spoons, scoop 12 very large oval dollops of meringue onto two sheet pans lined with parchment paper. You should be able to get 6 meringues on each pan; space them well because they will expand while they bake. Place 3 candied rose petals on top of each meringue. Bake for 2 hours, until the outsides of the meringues are crisp and the centers are still soft. Set aside to cool on baking racks. Allow to sit uncovered and serve at room temperature. (Don't refrigerate or store covered or they will lose their crispness.)

PECAN PUFFS

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add brown sugar, beating until stiff peaks form, 5-8 minutes. Fold in vanilla and pecans. Drop by well-rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 225° for 50-55 minutes or until firm to the touch. Store in airtight container.

MERINGUE COOKIES OR CLOUD COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form. Add vanilla.
• Gradually add sugar, beat until stiff. (Don't over beat though or they get 'tough'!) Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.
• Drop by teaspoonful on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake until dry at 300 degrees, about 20-25 minutes (sometimes this takes 35-45 minutes).
• Note: you can also add 2 Tbls of cocoa to make Chocolate Clouds.

MELT IN YOUR MOUTH PECAN PUFFS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Cream butter and sugar; add vanilla.
• Stir in flour and nuts.
• Roll into small (1 inch) balls.
• Bake for 27 minutes.
• Remove from oven, roll in powdered sugar while hot.
• Cool.