Name: Surprise Meringues (with Chocolate Chips and Rice Krispies)
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 egg whites; ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar; ⅛ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¾ cup sugar; 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate); ¼ cups Rice Krispies cereal

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Meringue Suprise Cookies

Imagine a cookie so light it practically melts on your tongue, yet hides a satisfying crunch and a gooey chocolate center—the Meringue Surprise Cookie is a childhood classic that never goes out of style.

A Sweet Tradition: Sissy’s Meringues

Some recipes just stay with you forever. I have loved Meringue Surprise cookies for as long as I can remember. My Godmother, Sissy, would make these for every party, and I always looked forward to that first bite of the light, sweet clouds filled with chocolate chips and Rice Krispies.

Now, I make these for my own family, and they have become a staple in our home. There is something so special about bringing a recipe from my own childhood into my kitchen today and seeing my kids enjoy them just as much as I did. It’s the ultimate “Grounded Home” treat—simple pantry ingredients that come together to make something that feels like a celebration.

The “Surprise” Texture

If you’ve never had a Meringue Surprise Cookie, the name says it all. They offer a unique three-layer experience:

The Shell: A delicate, crisp outer layer.
The Crunch: That classic Rice Krispies texture.
The Goo: Sweet, melty chocolate chips hidden inside.

🔥 Hot Tip: The 300° Strategy

While many meringue recipes call for a “low and slow” approach, I bake mine at 300°F for 25 minutes. This slightly higher temperature gives the cookies a beautiful, light golden tan and ensures the outside is perfectly crisp while the chocolate inside stays perfectly gooey.

🔥 Hot Tip: Use a Metal or Glass Bowl

When whipping your egg whites, avoid plastic bowls. Plastic can hold onto tiny amounts of oil even after washing, which can keep your meringues from reaching those stiff, glossy peaks. A clean glass or stainless steel bowl will give you the best volume every time!

Surprise Meringues (with Chocolate Chips and Rice Krispies)

These light, crispy meringue cookies have been a favorite of mine since childhood. They are light and fluffy filled with gooey chocolate and Rice Krispies.

Cook Time 25

Ingredients

2 egg whites
⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk chocolate
¼ cups Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (plain paper works too).
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
Gradually add the sugar, beating continuously until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and Rice Krispies cereal.
Drop the mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, until lightly golden and set.
Turn off the oven and let the cookies cool inside with the door closed (optional for extra crispiness).

Notes

These are fragile, so handle with care!
• Yield: About 3-4 dozen cookies, depending on size.
• Store in an airtight container.

Here’s some things you may want to add to your shopping list:

Stand Mixer

Cream of Tartar

Keeping the Tradition Alive

There is something profoundly grounding about standing in my kitchen, preheating the oven to 300°F, and preparing the same recipe that brought me so much joy as a little girl. These Meringue Surprise cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they are a living connection to my childhood and to my Godmother, Sissy. Every time I whip those egg whites into glossy peaks and fold in the chocolate chips and Rice Krispies, I’m reminded that the best things in life don’t have to be complicated or expensive. They just have to be made with heart.

Seeing my kids scramble to the kitchen the moment the timer goes off is a full-circle moment for me. They love the “surprise” just as much as I did back then, proving that a good recipe truly stands the test of time. Whether we are making these for a holiday party or just as a special weekend treat, the house always feels a little warmer when a batch of these is in the oven. It’s a reminder that we can create magical moments for our families using simple, honest ingredients we already have in our pantries.

As you bake these in your own home, I hope they bring you the same sense of warmth and nostalgia they bring me. Whether you’re making them for a crowd or just to have something sweet on hand for the week, I know they’ll become a favorite in your household too. Don’t forget to let them cool completely so that shell gets perfectly crisp! I truly believe these little cookies will quickly become a cherished tradition. Thank you for letting me share a piece of my family history with you. Happy baking I hope you enjoy this recipe for years to come!