Meringue Cookie Ornaments

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup C&H® Powdered Sugar
• Colored sugar, edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 225°F. Grease two large cookie sheets.
2. To create a stencil for the ornaments: On a sheet of parchment paper, cut to the same size of the cookie sheet, trace the outline of a cookie cutter using a non-toxic colored pencil. Place the parchment paper drawing-side down on cookie sheet. You should still be able to see the outline as a guide for your ornaments.
3. In large glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla extract and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually beat in sugar until stiff and glossy peaks form. Spoon meringue into pastry bag with rosette tip. Pipe meringue directly onto parchment paper, following the stencils.
4. You can either create framed shapes or fill centers of designs with more meringue. Be sure to leave a space at the top of each ornament in order to thread a small ribbon for hanging once it's dried. Decorate with colored sugar, edible glitter or sprinkles. Baking times vary, depending on the shape of the meringue.
5. Follow these guidelines:-For frame-style ornaments or those with a hollow center, bake 1 hour. -For ornaments with a filled center, bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours until center is firm to the touch.
6. Turn off oven, but leave ornaments in oven for 1/2 hour longer to dry. Carefully lift ornaments to wire racks to cool.