A delightful dessert, both in taste and presentation, of crisp, sweet meringue nests filled with fresh berries and topped with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream and drizzled with melted chocolate.

Festive Meringue Desserts

4 large egg whites
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup blackberries
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
Sweetened whipped cream

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Blend in vanilla.
3. Spoon or pipe meringue mixture into 3 (4-inch) rounds onto each of 2 parchment or foil-covered baking sheets. Use a large spoon to make a large indentation in the center of each round, building up the sides of each round as much as possible.
4. Bake 1 pan at a time on center oven rack for 55 minutes or until dry and golden brown. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheets. Carefully remove meringues from parchment.
5. Combine berries; set aside.
6. Place chocolate in small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until chocolate is completely melted, stirring after each 30 seconds.
7. To serve, fill meringues with berries and top with a dollop of sweetened cream. Drizzle decoratively with chocolate.

Makes 6 servings.