Old-Fashioned Forgotten Cookies Come Right from Grandma's Recipe Box

6.5K
519
233
2025-10-31
Old-Fashioned Forgotten Cookies Come Right from Grandma's Recipe Box
Prep Time:
20 mins
Stand Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
36
Yield:
3 dozen

Grandmother's forgotten cookies are made with egg whites, pecans, and chocolate chips. The finished baked cookies are crisp, tender, and light-as-air. Our recipe testers loved the nuttiness of the pecans and the flavor of the mini chocolate chips. Here's how to make forgotten cookies, including tips for re-crisping the cookies if they become soft.

What Are Forgotten Cookies?

The name "forgotten cookies" or "forget-me-not cookies" comes from the way you bake them. After placing the cookies in the oven, you turn it off and leave them overnight, almost as if they were "forgotten." This allows the meringue to cook slowly as the oven cools, and results in a crisp and chewy texture. Customize this gluten-free cookie recipe with your favorite nuts, chocolate pieces, and more. Try another one of our favorites: walnut and dark chocolate. They're also delicious with colorful sprinkles on top.

Ingredients

  • 2 large egg whites

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans

  • 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place oven racks in top and lower thirds of the oven.

  2. In a large bowl beat egg whites, vanilla, and salt until egg whites are foamy, about 1 minute. Increase mixer to high speed and add sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, over a 2 minute period, until mixture still forms stiff peaks.

  3. Using a rubber spatula, fold in pecans and chocolate chips until just combined.

  4. Drop mixture by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets (or use a small cookie scoop to portion cookies).

  5. Place baking sheets in the hot oven. Turn the oven off and let stand at least 8 hours or overnight. Do not open the oven door during this time.

How to Store Forgotten Cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. (For longer storage, freeze cookies, layering waxed paper between cookies, for up to 3 months.). Cookies may soften during freezing. To re-crisp the cookies, place in a 200°F oven for 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

54 Calories
3g Fat
6g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Calories 54.1
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3.3g 4%
Saturated Fat 0.8g 4%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10.5mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 6.5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0.5g 2%
Total Sugars 5.8g
Protein 0.6g 1%
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 3.5mg 0%
Iron 0.2mg 1%
Potassium 28.9mg 1%
Fatty acids, total trans 0g
Vitamin D 0IU
Alanine 0g
Arginine 0.1g
Ash 0.1g
Aspartic acid 0.1g
Caffeine 2.3mg
Carotene, alpha 0mcg
Choline, total 2mg
Copper, Cu 0.1mg
Cystine 0g
Energy 226kJ
Fluoride, F 0.3mcg
Folate, total 1.2mcg
Glutamic acid 0.1g
Glycine 0g
Histidine 0g
Isoleucine 0g
Leucine 0g
Lysine 0g
Methionine 0g
Magnesium, Mg 8.1mg
Manganese, Mn 0.2mg
Niacin 0.1mg
Phosphorus, P 13.5mg
Pantothenic acid 0mg
Phenylalanine 0g
Phytosterols 0mg
Proline 0g
Retinol 0mcg
Selenium, Se 0.7mcg
Serine 0g
Starch 0g
Theobromine 17.7mg
Threonine 0g
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.1mg
Tryptophan 0g
Tyrosine 0g
Valine 0g
Vitamin A, IU 1.7IU
Vitamin A, RAE 0.1mcg
Vitamin B-12 0mcg
Vitamin B-6 0mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 0.3mcg
Water 1.8g
Zinc, Zn 0.2mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Article

Stovetop Peach-Blackberry Crisp
5.1K
408
61

Stovetop Peach-Blackberry Crisp

No need to heat up your whole house by turning on the oven to make dessert! For a taste of summer, start with a skillet and ripe fruit. The only thing that can make this easy peach crisp better is a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Smoothie Pops
21.6K
862
198

Smoothie Pops

Use a frozen smoothe pop as a grab-and-go breakfast or light dessert idea.
12 Sweet-Tart Lemon and Citrus Desserts to Brighten Up Winter
17.6K
882
132

12 Sweet-Tart Lemon and Citrus Desserts to Brighten Up Winter

Next time you crave a sweet and zingy treat, choose one of the great orange, lime, grapefruit, or lemon desserts in this collection.
Mushroom Fricassee with Fresh Herbs
31K
2.2K
1K

Mushroom Fricassee with Fresh Herbs

Traditionally, fricassee recipes involve sautéing and simmering meat in a creamy sauce. Here, we transform the same technique into a side dish format with a mushroom fricassee recipe that's topped with plenty of fresh herbs.
Swiss Vegetable Medley
2.7K
53
11

Swiss Vegetable Medley

Frozen vegetables make this side dish casserole recipe super simple to assemble. Choose from several combinations of vegetables.
19 Vegetarian Summer Recipes to Showcase the Flavors of the Season
38.5K
1.5K
677

19 Vegetarian Summer Recipes to Showcase the Flavors of the Season

When it comes to easy-prep, fresh vegetarian summer recipes, these are the dishes you'll crave all season.
10 High-Protein Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes to Power Your Day
37.5K
1.9K
243

10 High-Protein Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes to Power Your Day

These high-protein vegetarian breakfasts are delicious and pack in at least 9 grams of protein, courtesy of eggs, yogurt, beans, and nut butters.
Is a Pinch of Salt the Secret to Your Best Cup of Coffee Yet?
39.3K
785
125

Is a Pinch of Salt the Secret to Your Best Cup of Coffee Yet?

Our experts weigh in on when (and when not) to add salt to coffee.
Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies
13.2K
1.2K
283

Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies

One step and 10 minutes until you're slurping your new favorite green smoothie recipe. Greek yogurt and chia seeds help give the healthy smoothie its thickness while spinach, pineapple, and banana load it with nutrition..
Make This Refreshing Apple Cider Punch for a Taste of Fall
25.4K
761
175

Make This Refreshing Apple Cider Punch for a Taste of Fall

Made with apple cider, juice and sparkling white grape juice, this apple cider punch is the perfect for the whole family. For an adult punch, switch out sparkling grape juice for a chilled champagne to give your sparkling cider a kick.
Beat the Trend By Shaking Up a Kalamata Olive Martini Before Everyone Else
43K
2.6K
1.3K

Beat the Trend By Shaking Up a Kalamata Olive Martini Before Everyone Else

Here’s how to make a kalamata olive martini at home. Instead of green olives, this easy kalamata olive martini recipe features black kalamatas, which lend eye-catching color (if you make your martini dirty) and layer on extra briny flavor.
Strawberry Gin Slushies
21.1K
1.7K
355

Strawberry Gin Slushies

A sweet strawberry slushie with gin makes a grown-up version of a classic summer treat.
Puffed Oven Pancake with Brown Sugar-Banana Sauce
32K
3.2K
447

Puffed Oven Pancake with Brown Sugar-Banana Sauce

Yes, you can enjoy a warm breakfast without a lot of effort! Make the tasty banana sauce the night before, then reheat it as you bake your puffy oven pancake in the morning.
Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins
36.3K
3.3K
816

Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins

These sweet mini muffins are delicious and surprisingly healthy! Get your day started off on the right note with these blueberry muffins that come with a few health upgrades (including oats and chia seeds).
Bacon-Asparagus Strata
22.8K
455
45

Bacon-Asparagus Strata

When you're looking for a make-ahead breakfast recipe, you can't beat a strata—a casserole recipe that can usually be made up to 24 hours in advance. Here, fresh vegetables and bacon combine with luscious Swiss cheese for a rich and easy egg breakfast your family will love.
Our 22 Best-Ever Egg Casseroles to Perk Up Your Mornings
19.5K
389
70

Our 22 Best-Ever Egg Casseroles to Perk Up Your Mornings

Make your own Martha Stewart-inspired egg casserole with potato, veggies, and shredded cheese. Try sausage-egg casseroles, egg casseroles with bacon or ham, tater tot egg casseroles, and more!
Portobello-Pepper Kale Wraps
18.6K
1.7K
418

Portobello-Pepper Kale Wraps

Hearty kale leaves make a crunchy, lighter wrap option for a vegan meal.
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders
29.7K
593
166

Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders

Make hot Italian sausage subs for a crowd with this easy slow cooker sandwich recipe. This easy Italian sandwich recipe makes enough meat for 12 subs, so it's great for a party or potluck.
Sweet Tortilla Wraps
49.1K
2.5K
735

Sweet Tortilla Wraps

Customize these sweet wraps for any craving or for any ingredients you have on hand. The options are endless for this make-and-take breakfast or snack idea.
18 Toasty Warm Sandwiches for Fall and Winter
30.8K
1.2K
123

18 Toasty Warm Sandwiches for Fall and Winter

To keep you warm this season, we've got some delicious fall sandwiches and winter sandwich ideas perfect for any night of the week.