Cherry Pecan Meringues

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, salt, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. 2
   Still beating, very gradually (1 tablespoon at a time) add sugar to egg whites. Continue to beat until sugar has dissolved and stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Gently fold in chopped dried cherries and chopped pecans.
3. 3
   Drop meringue mixture by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake, switching baking sheets halfway through, until meringues are dry, about 2 hours. Cool completely on baking sheets. Meringues can be stored in an airtight container, up to 5 days.