This vintage recipe for Forgotten Cookies is from an old cookbook in my collection. The cookies are bite-sized meringues full of chocolate chips and pecans.
I love cookbooks. I mean I really, really love cookbooks. You may remember that not long ago BeeBop built me some very special bookcases just to hold my cookbooks.
Whenever we go to the bookstore, which is pretty often, the cookbook section is where I head first. I read cookbooks like some people read novels. There's usually one or more by my chair in the living room just waiting for me to find a few minutes to sit down and browse.
Some of my favorite cookbooks are those that are self-published by Junior League organizations. Those junior league girls just have the best recipes!
I recently bought several older junior league cookbooks on eBay. One of them was a 1976 edition of "Southern Accents" from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and within its pages I found this absolute gem of a recipe!
The recipe is called Forgotten Cookies, but these little jewels are much more than a cookie. They're tiny little meringes full of chocolate chips and pecans, each just bursting with flavor. These little morsels have a delightfully crunchy exterior that instantly melts in your mouth followed by that classic combination of chocolate and pecans. What a delight to serve for a light dessert or simply enjoy with a glass of wine or cup of coffee!
This vintage recipe for Forgotten Cookies is from an old cookbook in my collection. The cookies are bite-sized meringues full of chocolate chips and pecans. Click To Tweet
How to Make Forgotten Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat egg whites and salt until frothy. Add sugar gradually, while continuing to beat until stiff.
Add the vanilla, chocolate chips and pecans. (Note: I used a clear vanilla extract so that the meringue would stay as white as possible, but you can use whatever you have on hand.)
Carefully fold the ingredients to avoid deflating the meringue.
Drop by teaspoons on foil covered baking sheets. Place in the preheated oven and then turn the oven off. Leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Do not open the oven door.
The next morning you'll have 3-4 dozen beautiful little chocolate-pecan meringues to enjoy!
More Cookie Recipes on Never Enough Thyme:
- Outrageous Chocolate Cookies
- Almond Joy Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Chocolate Raspberry Bar Cookies
- Coconut Macaroons
Meringue Cookie Recipes from Other Bloggers:
- Meringue Hearts recipe from Joy of Baking
- Swiss Meringue Shells from Taste of Home
- Meringue Cookies from Taste and Tell
- Vanilla Meringue Cookies from Taste of Home
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Forgotten Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 egg whites
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 6 oz. mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat egg whites and salt; add sugar gradually, beating until stiff. Fold in remaining ingredients stirring well.
- Drop by teaspoons on foil covered baking sheets. Place in oven and turn the oven off.
- Leave cookies in the oven overnight. Do not open the door.
- The next morning, remove the cookies from the oven and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
Have you tried this recipe? I'd love for you to give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card and/or in the comments section further down.
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Heather Miranda says
Can you tell me some information on where this forgotten cookie recipe originated from? I would like to email with you one on one if that were possible?
Lana Stuart says
Well, as I explained in the post, this particular recipe came from an old junior league cookbook. And I'm quite sure it was an old recipe when it was published in that cookbook. It's simply a meringue with chocolate and nuts folded in. Feel free to email me if you'd like.
Heather A Miranda says
Ty for replying. The reason for me asking about the forgotten cookie recipe is a long story. My mother's great great grandmother had a recipe box. There was a hand written recipe inside that box that was handed down over the past however many years. I mean this paper was cherished by all of us because it was her handwriting and 'her recipe' (so I thought) At the top of the paper it says "forgotten cookies"- This recipe has been made throughout the years by my grandmother, my mother etc. I have just assumed it was a recipe my family only knew. It wasn't until a few days ago (when I emailed you) I had googled "forgotten cookies"- I was Dumbfounded and very surprised to see the recipe all over the internet. Quite funny for me to have thought all this time it was a secret. So when I saw your website I thought to ask you the history of the recipe. I appreciate you writing back :)
Lana Stuart says
Oh dear, I hope you weren't disappointed to find that your family's recipe is really quite well known! I think I've seen it in practically every hometown and church cookbook that I own. Please be assured that everyone loves it!
Heather Miranda says
I love the fact that so many other people know of this recipe. It is so funny that I thought it was a family heirloom. With all the information online, I never thought to look it up until a few days ago. I like your website. I was sharing with my husband about writing with you. And I told him about the spaghetti and meatball recipe and some of the other recipes I have seen on here. I find I am reading the recipes on here nightly now. I can't get enough of them...its funny. I am putting together some of them and making it a goal to try at least one of them a week!
Lana Stuart says
It pleases me very much to know that you are enjoying reading the recipes :-). I hope you find something delicious to nourish yourself and your family. Just let me know if you have any questions at all!
Logan Depalo says
My mother used to make these growing up for holidays! With the state of everything I thought it would bring joy to my family, and with this recipe it did! 10/10 stars!
Lana Stuart says
I'm so glad your family enjoyed them!
Suzi says
I have a gas stove. Will these still work in the gas oven since the pilot light is on? Or would they dry out?
Lana Stuart says
I only have an electric oven, so I've never tried it with gas. I assume it would work but can't say for sure.
Eva says
I have made these every holiday growing up. Once I moved into my new home we bought a gas oven. So not the same and it’s devastating. They end up chewy. Gas ovens don’t stay warm as long as an electric oven. I have found a couple recipes geared towards gas ovens. Fingers crossed they produce same results! If not, I will have to bribe my mom into making me some lol
Elizabeth says
I thought of this blog post when I was at the Ohio Bookstore during Christmas time - and found a few junior league cookbooks! I have had the one from MI for years and love it! I love these cookies - my Mother used to make a variation of them with just chocolate chips! delicious!
Wendy says
I wonder how they would be if I substituted the chocolate chips with dried sweet cranberries or craisins.