“California, Here We Come”: A New Chapter Unfolds with Chewy Chocolate Meringues

California, here we come, right back where we started from… And what an incredible journey it promises to be! Our lives are about to embark on a thrilling new chapter, filled with sunshine, family, and, of course, delicious food. The news is real, and the excitement is palpable: we are officially moving to California!

Embracing the Golden State: A Return to Roots and New Adventures

My husband, Eric, has accepted a fantastic job opportunity in the Sacramento area, which means our family is heading west to the Golden State. For me, this move feels like a unique blend of returning home and stepping into an entirely new phase of life. I spent my childhood just an hour south of Sacramento, soaking up the California sun and making countless memories. However, it’s been eight years since I last called that region home, and I’ve never experienced it as an adult. This time, “real life” truly begins in a familiar yet wonderfully new setting.

When I speak of “real life,” I’m talking about the responsibilities that come with adulthood: managing household bills, navigating vehicle registrations, and researching schools for our children. It’s the mature stuff, the intricate tapestry of daily living that shapes our grown-up identities. In stark contrast, my childhood concerns in California were wonderfully simpler. My biggest dilemmas included strategizing how far I could launch rotten plums from our backyard plum tree over the fence, aiming for unsuspecting passing vehicles. Or, in my later teenage years, agonizing over the perfect thickness of my eyeliner, all in hopes of catching the eye of a certain someone in my Biology class. These youthful worries, though significant at the time, are a stark reminder of the innocent days I associate with California. Now, it’s about building a future, fostering growth, and embracing the responsibilities that come with parenthood and partnership.

The Joys of Family Proximity and California’s Bounty

Our excitement for this move extends far beyond mere sentimentality. One of the greatest joys is the prospect of living closer to my parents, who are still rooted in the Sacramento area. And yes, their famous plum tree, the very one that fueled my childhood projectile experiments, is still thriving! But that’s not all – their backyard is a veritable orchard paradise, boasting not just plums, but also a prolific peach tree, a cherry tree, an abundance of blackberries, lemons, limes, grapefruits, apricots, and luscious grapes. I am absolutely ready to embrace the art of “mooching” from their incredible harvest! Beyond my immediate family, we also have other relatives scattered throughout the region, making this significant relocation feel remarkably easier and more natural. We truly feel incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive network awaiting us. This isn’t just a move; it’s an exhilarating adventure, full of potential and new beginnings.

Bittersweet Farewells: Leaving Utah Behind

While the anticipation for California is immense, our hearts also carry a profound sadness about leaving Utah. Our time here has been incredibly fulfilling, so much so that sometimes Eric and I pause and wonder, “What on earth are we doing?” We’ve cultivated deep friendships, forged strong community ties, and established a wonderful life. We also have beloved family members here, making the decision to leave even more poignant.

Despite the emotional challenges of saying goodbye, we both feel a strong sense of rightness about this decision. It feels like the next logical step in our journey, a calling towards a new horizon. My sister recently shared an interesting anecdote that resonated deeply with me. She recounted a study she had read which found that individuals who won the lottery were statistically just as happy a year after their life-changing win as paraplegics were a year after their paralysis. The core message was profound: happiness isn’t solely dictated by external circumstances, whether overwhelmingly positive or incredibly challenging. Instead, it’s a state of mind, a perspective cultivated from within. It’s about resilience, adaptability, and the conscious effort to find joy and meaning regardless of life’s curveballs.

This philosophy has become a guiding principle for us as we navigate this transition. It reinforces our belief that while leaving Utah will undoubtedly be difficult, our happiness is ultimately within our control. We are choosing to view this move as an opportunity for growth, for new experiences, and for making California our new happy place. So, here goes! I’ll be packing up my kitchen before I know it, surrounded by boxes and the delightful chaos of moving. Please forgive me if my blog posts slow down a bit during this period of transition. Rest assured, I’ll be back, perhaps with some California-inspired culinary creations!

Cute, hungry monster-like child — I think this guy looks like a little monster. Raaaaaw I’m gonna eat you!!!!!!

A Sweet Discovery: Unveiling the Magic of Chewy Chocolate Meringues

Wait! In all the excitement of our big announcement, I almost forgot to share details about these absolutely incredible meringues! It might surprise you to learn that I had never actually made meringues before. For the longest time, my perception of meringue was limited to the fluffy white topping on my best lemon meringue pie ever. I used to view it merely as the sweet, often overwhelming, layer that sometimes obscured the delicious, tangy lemon curd beneath. My, how times have changed! That particular lemon meringue pie was truly life-altering, sparking a newfound appreciation for this delicate, airy confection.

Now, here I am, enthusiastically whipping up standalone meringues and practically pleading for forgiveness from the food gods for ever questioning their magnificent existence. These chewy chocolate meringues are beyond good; they are utterly divine. I was so enamored with them that I baked two batches within a span of just a couple of days, much to the delight (and perhaps slight alarm) of my family.

Eric, ever the curious taster, even asked me what secret ingredient I had tucked into their centers. He was genuinely surprised, describing the contrast between the crackly, crunchy exterior and the incredibly rich, gooey interior. He thought it must be some kind of molten chocolate core, or a decadent filling. But no, the magic lies purely in the meringue itself – just awesome meringue, perfected. They quite literally melt in your mouth, offering a delightful lightness that belies their intensely satisfying chocolate flavor. This airy texture makes it deceptively easy to devour a dozen before you’ve even registered what’s happened. I won’t even confess the actual number I consumed, but let’s just say whatever quantity you’re currently imagining, you should probably add another five to that mental tally. These meringues are a revelation, a simple yet sophisticated dessert that will undoubtedly become a staple in our new California kitchen. They’re a perfect treat for celebrations, a thoughtful gift, or simply a delightful way to satisfy a chocolate craving with an elegant twist.

Chewy Chocolate Meringues

Rated 3 out of 5 stars from 2 votes

Prep:

20 mins

Cook:

18 mins

Servings:

28 Meringues

Chewy Chocolate Meringues from TheFoodCharlatan.com

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These chewy chocolate meringue cookies are amazing! The outside is crackly and crunchy, and the inside is so rich and gooey.

Ingredients

1
cup
egg whites,
about 7
2
cups
sugar
5
tablespoons
natural cocoa powder
4
ounces
bittersweet chocolate,
finely chopped

Instructions

Space 2 racks evenly in the middle of an oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or with a silpat.
In a clean, dry, heatproof bowl, such as a glass Pyrex bowl, whisk together the egg whites and sugar. Set over but not touching simmering water in a small saucepan. Whisk constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Pour the egg whites into a stand mixer (or use an electric mixer) fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat the egg mixture on high speed until stiff and glossy. Sift the cocoa powder over the meringue. Add the chocolate, then fold together gently with a rubber spatula until combined.
Drop the meringue by heaping tablespoons, spaced slightly apart, onto the prepared baking sheets. You can pipe them if you like. Bake for 9 minutes. Rotate the pans. (I turned the pans 180 degrees, and I also put the top pan on the bottom and vise versa.) Bake until the cookies are fluffy, full of cracks and spring back when touched, about 9 minutes more. Carefully pick up the parchment sheets and transfer the cookies, still on the parchment, to wire racks to cool. Makes about 28 meringues.

Notes

Source: Williams Sonoma

Nutrition

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
French

Calories:
85

Keyword:
chocolate, meringue

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