DIY Candy Necklaces

DIY Candy Necklaces
 

Ingredients
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/4 cream of tartar (this is a powder in the spice aisle - makes everything shiny, but it's optional)

** Optional
1 tsp of flavoring if desired
1 tbs cocoa powder (if you want them to be chocolate flavored)

Directions
1. In a very clean, dry, large glass bowl separate your 4 egg whites. This is the most important step. We are making meringue so if one speck of yolk gets into this mix you need to toss the whole thing out. That's right, one speck! OK, now that you heard me loud and clear be very careful and DO NOT get any yolk into the bowl. 

2. Start whipping your egg whites with an electric handheld mixer until foamy, then add in the cream of tartar and continue whipping on a faster speed. As the egg whites begin to stiffen, start adding in your sugar in very tiny increments. This is very important. You want to beat the sugar in slowly to give the egg whites time to absorb it gradually. If you want to add a flavoring, whip it in at the very end. 

3. After about 10 minutes it should be very thick like marshmallow cream. Separate your meringue into different bowls and add your food coloring gels until you get your desired color.

4. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees and line four baking sheets with parchment paper. You must work fast because as meringue sits it get's soft and doesn't hold its shape. I recommend placing your extra bowl of meringue in the fridge if you think you're going to take  along time piping. Now fill your piping bags and start piping 1/2" rings all over the parchment paper.

5. Bake in oven at 175 degrees for 1 hr until completely dry then let cool on the baking sheet over night. 

6. String candies on to an elastic cord.