Valentine Meringue Hearts

Description
Contributed by Smiles From The Lr atWorld Recipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 3 egg whites
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
 * 1 dash salt
 * 1 cup sugar
 * red food coloring
 * 1 quart vanilla ice cream
 * 1 pint strawberries, sliced

Directions

 * 1) Cut a heart pattern from a 4½ inch square of paper.
 * 2) Cover baking sheet with brown paper. (You can bake on the brown paper so make sure it is clean. Grocery store bags without writing on them are okay.)
 * 3) Draw 6 hearts on the brown paper using your pattern as a guide.
 * 4) Beat egg whites with vanilla, cream of tartar and salt until frothy.
 * 5) Add sugar, a little at a time, and continue beating until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Rub a bit between your figures to feel that no sugar remains undissolved.
 * 6) Add food coloring, a few drops to make a delicate pink color.
 * 7) Spread meringue over the heart shapes, ¼ inch thick.
 * 8) Make into the heart shape using a spoon to push and form into correct shape.
 * 9) Pipe rim ¾ inch high with pastry tube.
 * 10) Bake in preheated 275°F oven for 1 hour.
 * 11) Turn off oven and let meringues dry in oven for 1 more hour. Do Not open oven door during this time.
 * 12) Fill the cooled meringues with scoops of ice cream and top with strawberries.
 * 13) Decorate with mint leaves if desired.