Most mothers will tell you they love their children equally. Most bloggers will say the same about their blog posts. However I will confess my blog post today is special to me in a way very different from the others.
My heart is full and it has almost been unbearable to wait to share this with all of you. Fellow Colorado Food Bloggers Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack (Muy Bueno Cookbook), Erin Sellin (Dinners, Dishes and Desserts) and I joined together last week on a mission to bring back a very simple idea; to bake something for someone you know, or someone in your community, to just do something nice for someone else.
We chose heroes in our community, Firefighters, and baked them some cookies. Who would have guessed something so simple could have such an impact on all of us. Take a look:
Each of us, Yvette, Erin and I, give back in our personal lives, especially in the holiday season. However we wanted to do something bigger, harnessing social media to spread the word, hoping others might join us. Inspired by a giving back campaign each from Toyota and The Food Network, we decided to share our experience by making a video and to share it using the hashtag #BakeItForward hoping it would spread and motivate others to Bake It Forward too.
In the process of thinking of exactly what we wanted to do we learned about The Food Network’s effort to encourage people to bake and share, for which they would donate $1 to No Kid Hungry; a cause the three of us as Food Bloggers and moms feel strongly about.
Ironically as things become busier during the holiday season, anything we haven’t planned for can seem like a burden. I also think with most people spending a significant amount of time on laptops, smart phones and tablets, reaching out to another live person to do something nice isn’t as common.
I went into this to do something for the firefighters and actually emerged realizing that it did something for me as well. It was an honor to me to offer something as simple as a batch of cookies to people who keep us safe every day. In the end I felt like I got the gift.
Today I’m sharing the cookie I brought the Firefighters: Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Meringue Cookies. They are very easy to make and a fun treat for the holidays. You’ll see some of the steps in the video too. Please also check out Yvette’s Biscochos (Mexican Wedding Cookies) and Erin’s Frosted Sugar Cookies and her White Chocolate Fudge.
Rather than talking about the cookies I’d like to ask each of YOU to Bake It Forward for someone you know who might need a lift, whom you appreciate personally or someone in your community. Please consider sharing this blog post or the video from my Facebook Page (using the share button) and encourage others to do the same. Post a picture of your baked goods on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, tagging a friend to do the same and use the hashtag #BakeItForward so The Food Network will donate to No Kid Hungry too. Let’s make this a happier holiday season for all! (Note: we have no personal affiliation with The Food Network or their campaign.)
Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Meringues
Ingredients
- 2 Egg Whites
- ½ teaspoon Cream of Tartar
- 2/3 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 8 standard sized Peppermint Candy Canes
- Parchment paper or silpat (s)
- Pastry bag with large open star tip
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 300 degrees F and then turn it off. While the oven is heating, line 1 large or 2 standard size baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
- After turning off the oven, beat the egg whites with the whisk attachment of a stand mixer for 3 minutes until peaks have formed. Sprinkle in the cream of tartar and beat in (10-15 seconds).
- As the mixer continues to run on high slowly spoon in the sugar a little at a time until fully incorporated. The mixture will have a glossy finish.
- Spoon the meringue mixture into the pastry bag and pipe small meringues onto the prepared baking sheets. Pipe until a 1-inch meringue is created then lift the pastry bag up to create a tip (refer to photos).
- Place the meringues into the oven and leave the door closed for 2 hours or until the meringues change to have a matte exterior. Do NOT open the oven door during the time the meringues are setting. They can also be left in the oven overnight.
- Remove the meringues and allow them to cool slightly on the pan.
- While the meringues are cooling, melt the chocolate chips in a metal bowl over a saucepan of boiling water, stirring often, or in the microwave following the melting instructions on the package.
- Smash the candy canes by unwrapping them, placing them in a plastic zipper bag OR on a hard surface (cutting board or countertop) covered with waxed paper and pounding them with a rolling pin or meat tenderizer.
- One at a time, dip the flat bottom of a meringue into the melted chocolate (allow any excess chocolate to drain) and into the crushed candy canes. Place them on a fresh piece of parchment paper. Repeat until they are all completed and allow them to harden. Note: They can be placed on a baking sheet and into the refrigerator to speed up the process.
This effort reflects the conviction and support of many. My deepest thanks to them all.
Video: Pure Cinematography / Make-Up Artist: Vanessa Blanco / Art Direction and Decor: Barbara Shepherd, Karen Vasquez, and Nadine Trujillo / Calligraphy Artist: Rebecca Caridad / Production Assistants: Karen Vasquez and Erlinda Marquez/ Transportation: Toyota / Littleton Firefighters / Food Bloggers: Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack (Muy Bueno Cookbook), Toni Dash (Boulder Locavore) and Erin Sellin (Dinners, Dishes and Desserts)
Colleen Cayes says
Such a beautiful and rewarding idea! These handmade treats stand out from anything you can buy in a store. Thank you for giving the gift of inspiration on many levels during this busy season.
Toni Dash says
Thank YOU my friend for your support. I was thinking about your list of support staff, the pet sitter, the nail girl, the gardener, and thinking they would be perfect to surprise with some cookies!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I have a cookie exchange next Monday with some of my mom friends and these sound perfect for that 🙂 NOM!
Mary Frances says
This looks absolutely delicious! Such a great idea, Toni! I am inspired 🙂
Yvette (Muy Bueno) says
Oh Toni…where do I even start? THANK YOU! Thank you for going with the flow, trusting me, and agreeing to be a part of this project. I feel truly blessed to have made a new friend. You are truly special. I think our next collaboration should be a food photography and styling class. Teach us all how you work magic with a Nikon 😉
Feliz Navidad.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Everything about that sounds amazing! I’ve never heard of dipped meringues before Yum!
Travel Blogger says
I am going to bake it forward and make these for a co-worker that has been having a difficult time this year. Great idea to inspire others to give back!
Toni Dash says
That’s great! I will say all those who have seen the video have been uplifted by the idea. Some who are having a really hard time this holiday season have reached out saying ‘I really needed something like this’. Funny how something so simple can make an impact isn’t it?
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I absolutely LOVE this idea! My grandfather was a Philadelphia firefighter and I’m a huge fan of honoring those who do so much to keep us safe! What a great way to give back!
Jennifer Mercurio says
these are absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait to try my hand at it. I’ve always been a little scared to try making meringue though so hopefully I don’t mess this up!
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! says
Meringues are my most favorite cookie in the world! These look amazing, Toni. I love how you combined the meringue with chocolate AND peppermint. Mmmmmmmmm!
Debra says
They look so pretty – like I wouldn’t want to eat them, but I would eat a whole cratefull! I love how you smashed up the candy cane and used that as the topping.
Pam says
Meringues are such a beautiful dessert! Especially these, since they’re chocolate dipped. I mean, that makes just about anything more appealing.
Liz Mays says
Oh wow those look amazing! I’d love to try something new and #Bakeitforward for someone in need.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Wonderful recipe, beautiful photos, and a touching project. Very nice Toni!
Felicia says
These are so beautiful! They look delicious too.
Theresa says
Those are really beautiful! #BakeItForward is such a lovely thing to do this time of year and I bet those were very much appreciated!
Kiwi says
This presentation is simply beautiful for the holidays! These would be so elegant for a Christmas party!
Onica {Mommy Factor} says
OMG! This is really a yummy idea. This also looks delicious. I want to try it now Lol. Thanks for sharing.
Ann Bacciaglia says
These look perfect for my Christmas party. I will have to get the ingredients i need so i can make a bunch.
Jeanine says
I have always wondered what these are! I have never had these before, or made them. They look interesting. I’d love to try them!
Rachelle says
Your photos are simply breathtakingly beautiful. And the recipe sounds oh so yummy! I will be making these for Christmas!
Toni Dash says
Rachelle you’ve made my day! Thank you for your kind comment.
Christie says
How beautiful are these little bits of holiday sweetness? I love how perfect they are for gifting!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I have never made meringues before, but you have me intrigued! I am going to give these a try this weekend.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I love getting handmade treats. It is like a little bundle of love from someone’s kitchen at holiday time! Sweet! 🙂