Forgotten Cookies are meringue cookies with chocolate chips and chopped nuts. They are placed in a previously heated oven and ‘forgotten’ overnight to finish!
Updated December 2018
This is a cookie kinda month in my book. I personally have scaled back to focus my baking on preparing for Santa.
These cookies are beautiful, glossy batter when put on the cookie sheets and emerge in the morning with a matte meringue finish.
I have had my eye on a recipe from my Grandmother's recipe box and this occasion seemed the right time to break it out.
Forgotten Cookies. With a name like that who could pass up making them; especially in this month filled with sentimental mood and generous heart toward anyone or anything needing some love.
I remember these cookies from when I was a child. My Grandmother was not a mad baker but managed to deliver whenever we visited. It's funny to think about that now.
Do Grandmother's still bake cookies in anticipation for visits from their grandkids? A very civilized hospitality if you ask me.
Grandmother's now are probably too busy taking Zumba classes, playing mahjong and growing micro greens for their smoothies I suppose.
What are Forgotten Cookies?
This cookie is basically a lovely meringue cookie but with more substance in its 'bite' due to the chocolate chips and nuts.
Ingredients in Forgotten Cookies?
The ingredients in Forgotten Cookies are simple and probably in your kitchen right now:
- Egg whites
- Granulated Sugar
- Salt (I prefer Kosher Salt)
- Vanilla Extract
- Pecans
- Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
How to Make Forgotten Cookies
The ingredients are mixed together, dropped by spoonfuls (tip: If you wanted the recipe to yield more, use a small dining spoon) onto a baking sheet, and put in the preheated oven (which is then turned off).
As the name suggests, they are ‘forgotten’ until the next morning.
The magical transformation from a glossy, wet batter to crisp, matte cookie still enchants me. Forgotten Cookies expand a bit overnight too.
Naturally Gluten-Free
After becoming gluten-free I appreciated them even more since there is no flour.
A Secret Tip about Forgotten Cookies
The cookies will actually set within a few hours and will be crisp to the touch with a matte finish. So if you can’t wait, check them after a few hours.
It’s still fun to pop them into the oven and find them finished in the morning (especially for little chefs)!
Kids Can Make Forgotten Cookies
This is a very easy cookie to make with children too. They can help with the measuring and dropping the batter onto the cookie sheet. A heavy mixer works great to whip up the egg whites in no time. Sticking these in the oven before bed to let your little chefs discover the fully formed cookies in the morning is sure to bring on the holiday excitement!
How to Store
Store Forgotten Cookies in an airtight container, layering waxed paper between layers of cookies.
Keep them in a cool, dark place for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing them
They can also be frozen. Pack them in the same way as described above.
Store them for 3-4 months and thaw at room temperature in the container.
Note: The recipe for Glogg (Scandanavian mulled wine) which was originally featured here has moved to its own page!
Recipe
Forgotten Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 Egg Whites
- 2/3 cups Granulated Sugar
- Pinch of Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Pecans , chopped
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat egg whites until foamy, approximately 3 minutes.
- Slowly add sugar while beating egg whites until stiff.
- Stir in salt, vanilla, pecans and chocolate chips. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet by the spoonful (I used a small dining spoon so the cookies were about 1 tablespoon of the batter each)
- Turn off the oven. Place cookies in the oven and leave until morning without opening the oven while they are hardening.
Patti Gibson says
My sister, who was 17 years older than me and passed about many years ago, made these every year. My kids loved them. We leave out the nuts and use mini-chocolate chips. I had lost the recipe and was thrilled to find yours. My kids (aged 48 and 51) are going to be so excited when I bring them out and then introduce my grandchildren to this tradition.
Dorothy says
Will this recipe work excluding the chocolate chips?
Toni Dash says
I’ve only made it the way my grandmother did. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Kathy says
Absolutely. I always make batches with and without chocolate and/or nuts for everybody’s preferences. Someone else on here said they put marachino cherries in them. I’m going to try that!
Peggy B. says
I had made these many years ago with a recipe from an elderly lady. Loved them and forgot about them. Recently went to a party and had to take something. Remembered these, found your recipe and of course had to make them. At dessert time they were almost all gone right away! I brought 3 home just for me! I doubled the recipe and had no problem, just took longer to get the egg whites stiff. Making them again today for company. I won’t forget Forgotten Cookies again!
Toni Dash says
I love this Peggy! These are a cookie from a bygone era. I had mine made by my grandmother and thought they were magical. You’ve inspired me to make a batch today too.
Maryann says
How many cookies does this make. Your servings listed does not make sense to me
Toni Dash says
The recipe makes approximately 2 dozen cookies. 12 2-cookie servings.
Kim says
Hey! I really want to make these! Can they be made in the daytime? Thanks!
Toni Dash says
Hi Kim. You can! Check the header notes in the recipe card at the end of the post!
Pattie says
Oh dear, I misread the recipe and used 3 egg whites instead of 2! Hope they taste ok. Watching them in the oven now.
Toni Dash says
Oh no! I’m sure they’ll turn out fine Pattie. Happy Holidays!
Peggy Johns says
How long do the forfotten cookies last, how do you store them?
Toni Dash says
Hi Peggy. Well my cheeky response would be ‘not very long in my house’ to the question of how long they last! I’ve updated the post to include store method and time! Thanks for your question.
Becky Hardin says
This cookie sounds so amazing. Never heard of them before I bet they are light and delicious.
Toni Dash says
They are old school! If my Grandmother didn’t make them when I was growing up, I would never have heard of them either.
Courtney O'Dell says
These cookies are so delicious they are hard to forget!!!
Cheryl says
Cookies don’t get any easier than this!! Delicious too!!