Delivering on their promise of being a delicate yet delectable dessert, meringues are made using whipped egg whites and sugar, resulting in a treat that’s both light and crisp at the same time.
One major obstacle in making meringue is the weather – when it’s hot and humid, even experienced bakers can struggle to achieve stiff peaks. Furthermore, if there’s even a hint of oil or yolk present in the mixing bowl, it can completely sabotage the egg whites’ ability to reach their full potential.
Meringue Cookies
Honestly, creating meringue-based cookies requires a basic understanding of the meringue itself, which is why I’ve chosen these simple treats as our starting point. Free from artificial coloring and extraneous ingredients, they allow us to focus on the essential texture and flavor profile. If you’re new to working with meringue, this is an excellent place to begin, as it will give you a solid foundation for more complex recipes later on.
Nevertheless, please be aware that environmental factors can significantly impact your baking results. Humidity in particular can cause issues, leading to cookies that refuse to dry properly and may even exhibit unsightly liquid weeping. To mitigate this effect, try adding a small amount of cornstarch to the dough to absorb excess moisture.
Strawberry Pavlova
Elevating the humble pavlova to new heights, this layered meringue dessert has become a staple in Australian cuisine, renowned for its light and airy texture, and of course, its generous helping of whipped cream and fresh fruit. The classic combination of passion fruit, mango, and coconut is a popular choice among locals and visitors alike, adding a tropical twist to the traditional treat.
While some bakers prefer to create one giant meringue nest, which yields an incredibly chewy interior and crispy edges, others opt for layers of thin meringue, striking a perfect balance between texture and ease of preparation. This version, in particular, is more straightforward, as it’s easier to dry out the thinner layers without compromising on flavor or presentation.
What sets the pavlova apart from other desserts is its effortless charm – simply dollop on the cream and arrange your fruits of choice atop the meringue, and voila! The beauty of this dessert lies in its simplicity, making it perfect for special occasions or everyday indulgence.
Boccone Dolce Cake Recipe
Building upon the Australian pavlova’s design, this Italian dessert shares similarities but adds its own unique twist. Thin layers of meringue are a staple component, often paired with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and rich chocolate. To achieve perfectly even meringue layers, it’s essential to create a template using a cake tin and parchment paper.
Simply trace circles around the tin onto the parchment, then flip it over and use the lines as a guide for piping or spreading the meringue mixture. Given that these delicate meringue layers are topped with a generous helping of cream, there’s no need to stress about their appearance being too uniform.
Vegan Lemon Meringue Pies
Derived from cooking chickpeas, aquafaba is a liquid that has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its unique properties. While canned chickpeas can be drained to obtain aquafaba, making your own by cooking dried chickpeas at home and retaining the liquid is also an option.
Similar to egg whites, aquafaba’s structure allows it to trap air as it’s whipped, resulting in a foamy texture that becomes glossy after a few minutes under the whisk, accompanied by the formation of stiff peaks reminiscent of beaten eggs.
Chocolate Macarons
Macarons have captured the hearts of many with their charming appearance and delicate flavor profile, especially when paired with a warm cup of coffee. Making macarons can be a bit finicky, as they require a precise balance between the whipping time of egg whites and the consistency of the final mixture. A crucial aspect to consider is that over-whipping the egg whites can lead to a dry and lumpy texture, while under-whipping may result in a fragile or runny batter.
To achieve the perfect macaron, it’s essential to mix the egg whites into the dry ingredients just until they form a smooth, glossy consistency. While mastering this technique may require some trial and error, the end result is well worth the effort, as perfectly made macarons are both visually stunning and incredibly delicious.
Strawberry Meringues
Essentially, meringue cookies are an excellent choice for those seeking low-calorie treats that are also gluten-free. This is especially true for individuals looking for a crunchy and chewy sweet indulgence that isn’t loaded with fat. One of the standout characteristics of plain meringue cookies is their intense sweetness, accompanied by a subtle marshmallow-like filling that many people adore. Fortunately, it’s incredibly easy to add flavor and color to these delicate treats.
To do this, simply substitute flavored powdered sugar for the regular variety. However, if you can’t find flavored powdered sugar in stores, fear not! I’ve discovered a simple way to make my own strawberry sugar by combining white sugar with freeze-dried strawberries. Just be sure to use a spice grinder to achieve the perfect consistency. This technique is versatile and can be adapted using any freeze-dried fruit powder of your choice, allowing you to get creative with flavors.
Fluffy Strawberry Meringue Pie
Just as with traditional pie crust recipes, using meringue in place of a regular dough offers several advantages, particularly when it comes to achieving the perfect texture. Unlike meringue cookies, where weeping or flatness can be an issue, meringues used for pies are less prone to these problems since they’re not exposed to heat and moisture in the same way. This makes them ideal for filling with sweet fillings without worrying about the crust becoming soggy or crumbling.
Additionally, using almond flour instead of saltines is a simple swap that allows this pie crust recipe to be easily adapted to gluten-free diets, resulting in a chewy, sweet, and beautifully shaped pie.
Chocolate S’mores Tart with Toasted Marshmallow Meringue
Understanding the fundamental components of marshmallows is crucial in replicating their texture and consistency at home. Typically, marshmallows are made with boiled sugar syrup and gelatin, which allows them to set sufficiently for slicing without losing their squishy texture. However, when a thicker, more luxurious texture is desired, alternatives can be used. One such alternative involves using egg whites instead of gelatin.
Employing the Swiss meringue method allows for the creation of a safe-to-eat meringue that doesn’t require baking after addition to the pie. To begin this process, cook the egg whites with sugar over a water bath until they start to dissolve and become foamy. Following this initial step, transfer them to a stand mixer and continue whisking until the mixture reaches a glossy consistency.
Lemon Meringue Angel Cake
Not only is fluffy, toasted meringue a thing of beauty, but it’s also incredibly easy to achieve on this stunning cake. The lighter texture of angel cake works perfectly with the lemon curd and meringue coating, creating a delightful combination. Feel free to use any cake you prefer – the recipe is flexible enough to accommodate your choices. That being said, I highly recommend taking the extra step of investing in a chef’s torch.
Not only are they affordable, but they’re also a game-changer in the kitchen, allowing for precise control over toasting and caramelizing ingredients.
Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake
Taking into account the nuances of baking meringues, it’s essential to maintain a low oven temperature, typically around 200°F, allowing them to sit in the oven for an extended period after the timer has gone off. In my experience, I prefer letting them bake for about an hour before turning off the oven and leaving them to cool down. This process can take anywhere from 2-3 hours, but if you have the luxury of time, overnight works perfectly fine too.
When it comes to assembling this dessert, I recommend waiting until late in the day to add the luscious mascarpone cream and fresh berries, as this will help prevent the meringue from becoming soggy, which is more likely to happen when it’s allowed to sit for an extended period of time.
Strawberry Topped Chocolate Pavlova
Often overlooked for its richness, chocolate meringue is a delightful twist on the classic recipe. Unlike the strawberry version that uses flavored sugar to add a fruity flair, this dark and indulgent treat relies on the deep flavor of cocoa powder to create a truly decadent experience.
Just as before, you’ll need to carefully add the sugar while whipping until stiff peaks form, but just before spreading it out on a lined baking sheet, be sure to fold through a blend of cocoa powder, vinegar, vanilla, and chopped chocolate for an added layer of depth and complexity.
Honey Meringues
Lightly sweetened with white sugar and elevated with honey, these meringues pack more punch than their traditional counterparts.
Christmas Pavlova Recipe
Years ago, I discovered that making Christmas desserts didn’t have to be a stressful experience. Yule logs, fruitcakes, and puddings are all classic options, but they can be quite rich and heavy. For something a little lighter after a big roast dinner, you can’t go wrong with a simple meringue-based dessert. Yielding delicious results is easier than you think when it comes to making meringues over the winter months, thanks to the relatively low humidity in most areas.
You’ll have more flexibility in your baking schedule as well, since you can make this recipe a couple of days in advance if need be. Just remember to hold off on adding the whipped cream until you’re ready to serve – storing it separately will help keep everything nice and dry. If you want to add an extra touch of creativity to your dish, consider coloring a small portion of meringue green and using it to create tiny leaves or other decorations.
This can be a fun way to get into the holiday spirit!
How to Make Meringue Nests
Years ago, meringue nests became a staple in my baking repertoire when I needed to feed a large crowd. You can easily make a big batch and then fill them individually with the same ingredients used for a pavlova. To achieve that perfect balance of chewiness on the inside and crispness on the outside, it’s crucial to remember one thing: start whipping the egg whites at a low speed, allowing them to foam before increasing the speed to medium.
Keep it there until you see those desired glossy peaks forming.
Peppermint Meringues
Zeroing in on the perfect holiday treat doesn’t have to break the bank this year. Zest up your cookie game with these ridiculously easy and incredibly delicious meringue bites instead of shelling out big bucks for expensive alternatives. Not only are they a cost-effective option (requiring just egg whites, sugar, extract, and candy canes for decoration), but you can whip up a massive batch in mere minutes.
To put it into perspective, two egg whites can yield an astonishing 36 meringue bites, so feel free to double or triple that amount to stock up on treats for your entire family.
Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies
Elevate your cookie game with these adorable tree-shaped cookies. While simple white cookies are a classic choice, these trees offer a more elaborate design that’s sure to impress. One of the best things about them is their versatility – you can easily make different flavors and add gel food colors to match any theme or occasion. Another creative idea is to pipe meringue onto festive paper straws and serve them as lollipops, which kids will absolutely love.
No-Guilt Apple Meringue Galette
When it comes to rustic pies, galettes are a fantastic option because they don’t require any specialized baking pans. Instead, you can simply roll out the pastry, fill it with your choice of ingredients, and fold the edges over to help retain the juices inside. One of the reasons I adore making galettes is that they’re incredibly easy to prepare, and their homespun appearance always makes them a crowd-pleaser.
However, for those who want to add an extra touch of elegance, consider piping meringue over the pre-baked fruit and baking it again until it reaches a golden brown hue.
French Vanilla Meringue Sandwich Cookies with Ganache Filling
Considering the subtle flavor profile of meringue, one effective approach to adding depth is by incorporating rich frostings and creamy fillings. This tactic allows for a delicate balance between sweetness and other flavors, elevating the overall taste experience. The tender texture of these sandwich cookies is another significant advantage, as they melt effortlessly in your mouth when you bite through their fragile outer layer.
Personally, I find that pairing them with dark chocolate ganache yields the best results, as its slight bitterness effectively counteracts the sugar content in the meringue.
Mud Hen Bars
Just what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth are these mud hen bars, with their perfect balance of crunch and chewiness. They begin with a simple cookie base made from butter, sugar, eggs, and flour – a classic combination that sets the stage for the rest of the treat. But it’s the additions that take them to the next level: chocolate chips sprinkled on top add a deep, rich flavor, while mini-marshmallows bring a fun and playful touch.
One of the best things about this recipe is that you don’t need to pre-bake anything, making it a time-saver for busy bakers. The crowning glory of these bars is the brown sugar meringue topping – a whipped blend of brown sugar and egg whites that browns perfectly on top and melts into a gooey, sticky centre.
Chocolate Orange Meringue Cookies
Pleasingly, these sweet treats resemble traditional cinnamon rolls, but with a clever twist: they’re remarkably easy to make. Gone are the hours spent on kneading, proofing, and rolling out dough – instead, you’ll simply need to whip up a simple meringue and let it bake in the oven for just two hours.
The chocolate and orange flavors will already be incorporated into the mixture, which might raise concerns about burning, but thanks to the low baking temperature, they’ll melt slightly and infuse the meringue with their rich flavors.
Nutella Meringues
Generally speaking, Nutella meringues take indulgence to a whole new level! While regular chocolate-swirled meringues are already quite decadent, these sweet treats elevate the experience even further. Interestingly, the process of incorporating Nutella into the recipe is similar to the one used for traditional meringues, where it’s added before they go into the oven.
One approach I found particularly convenient was piping the Nutella over the egg whites in the mixing bowl and then scooping them out onto a tray. Another method, which requires a bit more finesse, involves using a small spoon to gently drag the nutty goodness over the meringue, leaving behind a trail of chocolatey sweetness.
Valentine Meringue Cookies
Writing about baking treats for school events can bring back memories of simpler times, when a plate of freshly baked cookies was enough to satisfy every child’s sweet tooth. However, in recent years, the landscape has changed significantly with increasing cases of gluten intolerance and nut allergies making it challenging to find safe options.
Fortunately, vegan dietary requirements are less common among children, which makes traditional meringue-based treats like these Valentine’s Day-themed cookies an excellent choice for class celebrations. Additionally, their adorable appearance is sure to put a smile on every child’s face!
Laura Hauser is a food writer and editor passionate about authentic, approachable home cooking.
