Nana's Meringue Cookies

These meringue cookies came from my husbands grandmother we all called Nana. They happen to be his favorite cookies. I have made them numerous times and according to him they aren't right even though I follow her directions. I figure no matter what I will never make them just like Nana for one simple reason, I am not her. There is something about a grandmother's love in the mix that you cannot replicate. I hope you enjoy this recipe as we do.

3 Egg whites at room temperature
1/8 tsp. Cream of Tartar
3/4 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/4 cup Flaked Coconut
1 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 275°

Grease 2 baking sheets. Beat eggs whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar 2 tablespoons at a time, beating 2 minutes after each addition until sugar is completely dissolved. Beat in lemon juice and vanilla. Fold in 1 cup of the coconut and chocolate chips.

Using heaping tablespoons for each cookie, spoon meringue onto baking sheets 1 inch apart. Top each cookie with remaining coconut.

Bake 20 minutes, then turn off oven and let stand inside oven for 15 minutes. Remove and cool on wire rack.