Meringue is a sweet and airy confection made from whipped egg whites and sugar. It is often used as a topping for pies and cakes, or as a standalone dessert. Achieving the perfect meringue can be a challenge, as it requires careful attention to detail and precise measurements. In this article, we will explore the secrets to creating the perfect meringue, from choosing the right ingredients to mastering the whipping technique. We will also provide you with a selection of delicious meringue recipes that are sure to impress your friends and family.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
ULTIMATE MERINGUE
Perfect your whisking skills for these light baked meringues - a blank canvas for tasty flavour combinations.
Provided by Angela Nilsen
Categories Afternoon tea, Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Treat
Time 2h15m
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 110C/ 100C fan/gas ¼.
- Line 2 baking sheets with non-stick liner or parchment paper (meringue can stick on greaseproof paper and foil).
- Tip 4 large egg whites into a large clean mixing bowl (not plastic). Beat them on medium speed with an electric hand whisk until the mixture resembles a fluffy cloud and stands up in stiff peaks when the blades are lifted.
- Now turn the speed up and start to add 115g caster sugar, a dessertspoonful at a time. Continue beating for 3-4 seconds between each addition. It's important to add the sugar slowly at this stage as it helps prevent the meringue from weeping later. However, don't over-beat. When ready, the mixture should be thick and glossy.
- Sift one third of the 115g icing sugar over the mixture, then gently fold it in with a big metal spoon or rubber spatula. Continue to sift and fold in the remaining icing sugar a third at a time. Again, don't over-mix. The mixture should now look smooth and billowy.
- Scoop up a heaped dessertspoonful of the mixture. Using another dessertspoon, ease it on to the baking sheet to make an oval shape. Or just drop them in rough rounds, if you prefer.
- Bake for 1 ½-1 ¾ hours in a fan oven, 1 ¼ hours in a conventional or gas oven, until the meringues sound crisp when tapped underneath and are a pale coffee colour.
- Leave to cool on the trays or a cooling rack. (The meringues will now keep in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks, or frozen for a month.) Serve two meringues sandwiched together with a generous dollop of softly whipped double cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 210 calories, Fat 9.6 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 31 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 30 grams sugar, Protein 2.1 grams protein, Sodium 0.12 milligram of sodium
BASIC MERINGUE
While it may seem daunting, a basic meringue is nothing more than a mixture of beaten egg whites and sugar. It's a must-have topping for many desserts, everything from a classic Lemon Meringue Pie to a Heavenly Baked Alaska, and if you follow these simple steps you'll be a master meringue maker in no time.
Categories Meringue
Time 14m
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Beat egg whites in medium bowl with electric mixer until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tbsp (15 mL) at a time, until sugar is dissolved and stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Spread over hot pie filling in decorative swirls.
- Bake pie in preheated 425°F (220°C) oven until tips of meringue are golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Makes topping for a 9-inch (23 cm) pie.
Nutrition Facts :
CLASSIC MERINGUE
Steps:
- Combine egg whites and salt in mixing bowl of electric mixer. Beat at medium speed until opaque and loosely foamy. Increase speed to high and add sugar in a slow stream down side of mixer. Beat until stiff and shiny.
GOOD MERINGUE
Egg whites beaten with cream of tartar, then sugar until those famous stiff peaks form...golly, that's good meringue! A nice, basic recipe.
Provided by sal
Categories Desserts Frostings and Icings
Time 15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- In large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture forms stiff peaks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 78.8 calories, Carbohydrate 18.9 g, Protein 1.4 g, Sodium 20.8 mg, Sugar 18.8 g
MERINGUES
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 3h25m
Yield about 20 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place the egg whites and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer); beat on medium speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and increase the speed to medium high; beat in the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, then add the extract or zest. Continue beating until the meringue is thick, glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 6 minutes.
- For colored cookies, swirl a few drops of food coloring into the meringue or use a small paintbrush to paint 3 long stripes of food coloring up the inside of a pastry bag. For chocolate chip versions, gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the mixture.
- Drop or pipe the meringue as desired, about 2 inches apart, on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired. Bake 1 hour, then turn off the oven and let the meringues stand in the oven until dry, about 2 hours. Top with or dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with nonpareils.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 32 calorie, Fat 0 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Sodium 23 milligrams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Protein 1 grams, Sugar 8 grams
VANILLA MERINGUE COOKIES
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 1h30m
Yield 24 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F; line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar. Beat until the mixture is frothy and soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, waiting about 15 seconds between each addition. Once all of the sugar has been added, beat for an additional 5 minutes. The egg whites should be glossy and stiff but not dry.
- Spoon the mixture into a large pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 2-inch cookies onto the lined baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the cookies in the oven for an additional 30 minutes. Remove and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
LIGHTEST EVER MERINGUES
Whisk up a batch of classic meringues, then get creative with citrus swirl, Turkish delight and chocolate varieties
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Afternoon tea, Treat
Time 1h25m
Yield Makes about 18
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment and set up a piping bag with a medium-size star nozzle.
- In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until very stiff - the whites should stand in stiff, not floppy, peaks when the beaters are lifted out. Once you have reached this point, pour in roughly half the sugar and the vanilla extract and whisk again until the mixture becomes very thick, firm and shiny. Add the remaining sugar and whisk again until thick, firm and shiny. If you like meringues with soft, mallowy centres, just add 1 tsp cornflour and 1 tsp white wine vinegar to the mix along with the sugar.
- Carefully spoon the meringue into the piping bag. Push any air out of the top and tightly twist the end of the piping bag to seal. Gently squeeze until meringue is visible at the end of the nozzle, then begin piping onto your lined baking sheets. Pipe spiralling circles, about 6cm wide and 3 layers high - like you would ice a cupcake to make roughly 18. The meringues will spread slightly as they cook, so leave enough space between each one. Bake in the oven for 1 hr, turning the heat down to 120C/100C fan/gas ½ after 30 mins.
- Remove from the oven - they should peel easily away from the parchment - and cool on a wire rack. Can be made up to a week ahead and kept in an airtight container, or frozen for up to 3 months, between layers of parchment, in an airtight container.
- To make Cream & chocolate meringues for dessert, put 100g dark chocolate in a glass bowl and melt over a pan of gently simmering water. Carefully dip the base of each meringue in to coat, then place on their sides on a plate or tray to set. While the chocolate sets, whip 300ml double cream. Assemble the meringues in pairs and sandwich their chocolate bases together with a good spoonful of cream. Delicious served with ice cream, raspberry coulis or fresh berries.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 53 calories, Carbohydrate 13 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Protein 1 grams protein, Sodium 0.04 milligram of sodium
PERFECT MERINGUE
The title says it all; this is very, very good. I've used this recipe several times since I got it in my homemaking class in high school, circa 1965.
Provided by Happy Hippie
Categories Pie
Time 20m
Yield 1 pie
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy.
- Gradually beat sugar a little at a time.
- Continue beating until stiff and glassy. Don't underbeat.
- Beat until all sugar is dissolved.
- Beat in flavoring (optional).
- Pile meringue onto hot pie filling, being careful to seal meringue onto edge of crust to prevent shrinking and weeping.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes until delicately browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346, Fat 0.2, Sodium 165.5, Carbohydrate 76.8, Sugar 76.2, Protein 10.8
MERINGUE CRUST
This is one of my favorite crusts.
Provided by Carol
Categories Desserts Specialty Dessert Recipes Pavlova Recipes
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until soft peaks form. Add vanilla, and slowly beat in sugar until very stiff and glossy. Spread mixture into a 9 inch pie plate to form a shell.
- Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 50 minutes. Turn oven off, and leave meringue in oven for 1 hour. Cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 53.4 calories, Carbohydrate 12.7 g, Protein 0.9 g, Sodium 86.6 mg, Sugar 12.6 g
NEVER-EVER-FAIL MERINGUE
Some people find it hard to make a good meringue like some people find it hard to make a good pastry shell. I am enclosing this recipe for the ones who need to make it without too many problems encountered.
Provided by Carol
Categories Desserts Pies Custard and Cream Pie Recipes Meringue Pie Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Blend cornstarch and cold water in a saucepan. Add boiling water, and cook until thick and clear. Cool completely.
- Beat egg whites till foamy. Gradually beat in sugar, beating until stiff and glossy. Add salt and vanilla, and slowly beat in cold cornstarch mixture. Beat quickly for several minutes. Spread meringue on filled, cooled 9-inch pie.
- Bake pie at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes until tips of meringue begin to brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 47.7 calories, Carbohydrate 10.4 g, Protein 1.4 g, Sodium 21.5 mg, Sugar 9.5 g
MERINGUE II
This meringue is wonderful. It doesn't get weepy, and has such a good vanilla flavor.
Provided by SAUNDRA
Categories Desserts Frostings and Icings
Time 20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, combine water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and cornstarch. Cook over low heat until clear, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- In a large glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until mixture is foamy. Mix in vanilla, then gradually add the 6 tablespoons sugar, beating constantly until meringue forms soft peaks. Gradually pour in cornstarch mixture, beating until stiff. Spread over top of pie and seal to the crust. Brown in oven if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 59.2 calories, Carbohydrate 13.6 g, Protein 1.4 g, Sodium 21.4 mg, Sugar 12.6 g
MERINGUES
This easy Meringues recipe is an accompaniment for Vanilla Mousse Meringues and Fresh Berries.
Provided by Colin Cowie
Categories Mixer Egg Dessert Bake Easter Low Fat Vanilla Spring Fat Free Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 20 meringues
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
- 2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or foil. On each, draw 10 4-inch circles.
- 3. Mix the sugars and set aside.
- 4. In a bowl or electric mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and salt. Continue to beat, adding 1 tablespoon of sugar at a time and beating well after each addition. This will take about 10 minutes.
- 5. Add the vanilla and beat at high speed until stiff and glossy.
- 6. Using a pastry tube fitted with a large plain tip, pipe the meringue in coils starting at the center and continuing to the outside of each circle.
- 7. Bake about 1 hour, until cream colored and firm. Leave the meringues in the turned-off oven for several hours or overnight without opening the oven door.
- 8. When ready to serve, carefully peel away the paper or foil.
Tips for Making Perfect Meringue:
- Utilize the freshest egg whites possible: Older egg whites are more likely to yield a less stable meringue. For the best results, use eggs that are less than a week old.
- Make sure the egg whites and mixing bowl are completely clean and free of any grease or residue: Any impurities can prevent the meringue from forming stiff peaks.
- Start with room temperature egg whites: Cold egg whites will take longer to whip and may not reach their full volume.
- Whip the egg whites gradually, starting at a low speed and increasing it as the whites begin to foam: This will help to prevent the meringue from becoming grainy.
- Add sugar slowly, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whip the egg whites: This will help to prevent the meringue from becoming too stiff or grainy.
- Continue whipping the meringue until it reaches stiff peaks: The meringue should be glossy and hold its shape when you lift the beaters out of the bowl.
- Use meringue immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours: Meringue is best used fresh, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to use, let the meringue come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.
Conclusion:
Meringue is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of desserts. With just a few simple tips, you can easily make perfect meringue at home. Whether you're using it to top a pie, make a batch of macarons, or simply enjoy it on its own, meringue is sure to delight your taste buds. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give meringue a try!
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