Chocolate-Dipped Coffee Kisses

Ingredients

• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 pinch salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60-70 cacao)

Directions

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Line a large plate with waxed paper.

Beat egg whites, coffee granules, vanilla extract, cream of tartar, and salt with an electric mixer at high speed until soft peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly, until stiff but still glossy peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes.

Drop egg white mixture by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet (alternately, fill a pastry bag fitted with a star tip with egg white mixture and pipe out 1- to 1 1/2-inch stars).

Bake in the preheated oven until kisses are firm and dry, about 2 hours. Cool on the baking sheet set on a wire rack for 1 hour.

Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Peel kisses from parchment paper. Dip the base of each kiss in melted chocolate and transfer to waxed paper-lined plate. Freeze kisses until chocolate hardens, 2 to 3 minutes.