A vintage recipe, a double boiler and one very sweet mother-daughter moment.
Jennifer Garner has a way of making even the simplest kitchen moments feel worth watching. And on her “Pretend Cooking Show,” those moments are a little scrappy, a little charming and, very often, accompanied by her mom.
In a recent episode, Jennifer and her mom, Patricia, set out to make a batch of old-school cookies they’ve been baking for years. There’s some gentle bickering, a few near-mishaps with the egg whites, and, eventually, a tray of cookies that will make you want to get in on the family ritual. It’s the kind of exchange that lands especially well with Mother’s Day coming up—equal parts dessert and love letter.
What is Jennifer Garner’s favorite cookie recipe?
The cookies are called meringue chews, and Patricia remembers the recipe from a community cookbook assembled in her old neighborhood. They’re light and airy like a classic meringue, but with a chewy center thanks to a mix of chopped dates and nuts.
The method is a little different from what you might expect. Instead of whipping egg whites separately, everything—egg whites, sugar and cornstarch—gets beaten together over a double boiler. It’s an older technique, the kind you may remember if you’ve ever watched your grandma or aunt make seafoam frosting.
And, as Patricia makes very clear in the video, there’s one nonnegotiable: Don’t open the oven door. If you do, your meringues won’t hold their shape. They’ll slump into what she memorably describes as “a puddle,” which is apparently a mistake she made exactly once and never again.
They’re not flashy cookies, and that’s part of their appeal. What you get is nostalgic and sweet—the kind of treat that sticks around because someone you love kept making it.
How to Make Jennifer Garner’s Favorite Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup pecans (or another nut, if you prefer)
Directions
Step 1: Beat the base
Place the egg whites, sugar and cornstarch in the top of a double boiler set over boiling water. Beat them with a hand mixer for about seven minutes, until the mixture thickens and turns glossy.
Step 2: Fold in the mix-ins
Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the chopped dates and nuts until they’re evenly combined.
Step 3: Shape the cookies
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.
Step 4: Bake (and don’t peek)
Bake the meringue chews at 325°F for about 20 minutes, keeping the oven door closed so the cookies set properly.
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