Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies, #Creative Cookie Exchange

NinjaBaker — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 22:55:55 +0000

Courtesy of the Internet, current news appears with lightening speed. Images and information whoosh into our computers in nanoseconds. But nature needs time when nurturing true learning. When mastering the cuisine of another culture or a new baking technique, permission to make baby step progress is crucial.

Letting go of the expectation of perfect results is required for
peace of mind.
At least for this Ninja Baker. How about you?
Photo Courtesy of 123rf.com

When faced with a new challenge, it behooves me to remember the Japanese proverb, “Drops of water will drill through a stone.”
(??????? )

Winnie the Pooh wisdom also helps:
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
Photo Courtesy of 123rf.com

As I took on the daunting task of redoing my Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies for the third time, I found shelter in the above adages. And a quote from a children’s book classic; “I think I can, I think I can.” (Remember The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper?)

Of course, a scoop of Ben & Jerry's makes everything better...
including Cinnamon Coffee Merinuge Cookies!

The Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies escapade was prompted by a visit to Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt during last month’s Creative Cookie Exchange. (Please see below for your invite from Laura of The Spiced Life.) A dazzling display of Mocha Meringue Cookies winked at me with a come hither look. Miranda, the author of the aforementioned Mocha Meringues, assured me the exquisite cookies were easy to make. She is probably right...If one is not so inclined to improvise with ingredients.

Mini cinnamon coffee meringues pair perfectly with fresh strawberry ice cream.

I’ll spare you the details of my 3 (embarrassing) attempts. However, I’m excited to share Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookie tips, which were discovered in the process.

Chemistry Matters: White Chocolate Cocoa (think The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf) is fantastic when whipping up frosting. Not so much when beating egg whites for meringue cookies.
Bigger Is Better: For a normal size cookie, use a bigger tip when piping the meringue. (Probably obvious to you but maybe there are a few readers who might appreciate the reminder.)
Note: Doll-size cookies are still scrumptious. A few calorie-conscious friends actually preferred the petite Cinnamon Coffee Meringues. In fact, all sizes of my Cinnamon Coffee Meringues brought big grins to my Business Japanese study group mates.
Reach for the Stars: For prettier cookies, grab the star tip when piping the meringues.
Chocolate Sauce Caution: Chocolate is sublime. But not when it’s dripping onto your clean white apron. Remember the kitchen sink and paper towels when pouring chocolate sauce into the piping bag.
Perseverance in the kitchen pays off! As Confucius said, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

Mini? but Mighty Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies

Speaking of perseverance we are celebrating the Mexican victory over the French in 1892 during the Franco-Mexican War with today’s Cookies for Cinco de Mayo Creative Cookie Exchange. That is why I thought I'd replicate a meringue cookie version of Mexican coffee. Scroll down to see how other Creative Cookie Exchanganistas celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies

Do you love Mexican coffee spiked with cinnamon? And do you like cookies? If you answered yes to both questions, my Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies are for you!

Inspired and adapted from the Mocha Meringue Cookies at Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt.

Ingredients:

2 egg whites
1 heaping teaspoon of instant espresso powder
1/2 a generous teaspoon of cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon coffee extract
2 tablespoons of your very favorite chocolate sauce or syrup

Directions:

Set your oven to 250 degrees.
Whip up the egg whites in a stand mixer. When frothy and bubbly - which happens almost immediately - add the salt. Followed by the cream of tartar.
Sprinkle in the espresso and cinnamon next.
As the egg whites start to form peaks, pour the sugar in one tablespoon at a time.
Drizzle in the coffee extract.
When stiff peaks appear, stop the mixer.
Carefully pour the chocolate syrup into a prepared piping bag with a large star tip.
Next, transfer the meringue mixture into the piping bag.
Swirl meringue cookies onto parchment lined cookie sheets.
Bake for 50 minutes.
Turn off the oven and crack the door open for 30 minutes.
Cool completely.
Enjoy with or without a cup of cinnamony Mexican coffee.

The theme this month is Cinco de Mayo - and what better way to celebrate than baking cookies! Creative Cookie Exchange has decided to stop using the linky. What this means is that the only way to join in the fun is to become a host. Just contact Laura at thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com and she will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links.

You can also just use us as a great resource for cookie recipes--be sure to check out our Facebook page, our Pinterest Board, and our monthly posts. You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! Also, if you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made:

Mexican Chocolate Wedding Cookies from Stacy at Food Lust People Love
Polvorones con Chocolate from Laura The Spiced Life
Mexican Hot Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies from Sophie at Sweet Cinnamon & Honey
Feast Day Cookies from Felice at All That’s Left Are The Crumbs
Margarita Cookies from Tara at Noshing With The Nolands
Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies from Kim at NinjaBaking.com
Cinnamon and Piloncillo Cookies from Renee at Magnolia Days
Chocolate Chilli Roll Out Cookies from Jill at Made with Love
Dulce de Leche Alfajores from Holly at A Baker’s House
Triple Orange Mexican Cookies from Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Dulce de Leche Cookie Bars from Kathya at Basic N Delicious

A crowning mini meringue cookie makes any dessert fit for a royal.

Wishing you precious time to sip and savor the sweets of life.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

#Creative Cookie Exchange

The Ninja Baker - cookie recipe

Cinnamon Coffee Meringue Cookies, #Creative Cookie Exchange