Chocolate-Cherry Chunk Meringues

4 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup dried tart cherries, chopped
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 200º. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw a 14 x 10-inch rectangle on paper. Turn paper over; secure with masking tape.

Place egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high, and gradually add granulated sugar and then powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.

Add extract; beat just until blended. Fold in cherries and chocolate. Spread batter onto drawn rectangle using the back of a spoon. Score rectangle into 2-inch squares using the tip of a sharp knife.

Bake at 200º for 2 hours. Turn oven off, and cool meringue in closed oven 1 1/2 hours or until dry. Carefully remove meringue from paper. Break into (2-inch) squares. Makes 35 cookies