I first made this Cacao Nib and Walnut Cocoa Rochers recipe (aka misshapen meringues) because I was missing the rochers at Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. Since then, they’ve gone into regular rotation whenever sweets are called for, and I’m even adding them to this year’s Christmas cookie collection for a little something different.
Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Cacao Nib and Walnut Cocoa Rochers Recipe
I first made this Cacao Nib and Walnut Cocoa Rochers recipe (aka misshapen meringues) because I was missing the rochers at Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. Since then, they've gone into regular rotation whenever sweets are called for, and I'm even adding them to this year's Christmas cookie collection for a little something different.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup superfine sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 large egg whites (about 1/2 cup), at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup cacao nibs (or mini dark chocolate chips)
- 1/4 cup walnut halves finely chopped
Instructions
- Heat oven to 300°F and arrange racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Combine sugar and cocoa powder in a small bowl and whisk until no lumps remain. Place egg whites in an impeccably clean bowl and beat on low speed until frothy, and little white uniform bubbles appear, about 2 minutes. Add cream of tartar and increase speed to medium, continuing to beat until the mixture doubles in volume and there are soft peaks when you remove the whisk from the bowl, about 1 minute more.
- Add the sugar mixture 1 tablespoon at a time, until firm, glossy peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add vanilla and salt and allow mixer to turn a few more times just until the ingredients are incorporated. Test if the meringue is adequately whipped by pulling the whisk out of the bowl and turning the whisk upside down. If the meringue leaves a peak that stands up but gently folds back on itself at the end, it's ready.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer stand, and quickly, gently, fold in the cacao nibs and walnuts. Using two large spoons, immediately spoon the meringue by heaping tablespoons, nicely spaced apart, onto lined baking sheets. You should be able to fit about 14 meringues on each sheet pan.
- Place the baking sheets in the oven. Reduce the temperature to 250°F. Bake until the meringues are somewhat dry to the touch on the outside and very pale golden brown, rotating and switching the baking sheets halfway through, about 40 to 45 minutes total. As the meringues cool they will dry out more and harden on the outside. If, when you open the oven to rotate them, they appear to be cracking or taking on too much color, reduce the temperature by 25 degrees.
- When the meringues are ready, remove them from the oven and cool on the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes, or until completely cool.
PERSONAL NOTES
Nutrition
Serving: 1 servingCalories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 22mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 0.2IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!
