Description
Sweet clouds of delicate meringue kisses dance with elegant simplicity, promising a light and airy dessert that melts gracefully on your palate. Crisp exterior and pillowy centers invite you to savor each delightful bite of these classic French confections.
Ingredients
Scale
Egg Whites:
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
Sugar:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
Flavoring and Decoration:
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Separate egg whites into a pristine, grease-free mixing bowl, ensuring no yolk contamination.
- Add cream of tartar and salt to egg whites, then whip using an electric mixer on medium speed until soft, foamy peaks form.
- Gradually introduce granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, increasing mixer speed to high while continuously beating.
- Continue whipping until mixture becomes glossy, thick, and forms stiff, sturdy peaks that hold their shape when mixer is lifted.
- Incorporate vanilla extract and optional food coloring, gently folding to maintain the meringue’s delicate volume.
- Transfer mixture into a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip, creating uniform swirled dollops on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Preheat oven to 200°F (93°C), ensuring a low, consistent temperature for gentle drying.
- Place meringue kisses in preheated oven and bake for approximately 90 minutes, allowing them to dry out and become crisp without browning.
- Turn off oven and leave meringues inside for an additional hour to complete the drying process.
- Remove from oven, allow to cool completely at room temperature, then carefully peel off parchment paper.
- Store in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment to preserve their delicate texture.
Notes
- Choose pristine, grease-free utensils to prevent egg whites from deflating, ensuring maximum volume and stability.
- Crack eggs carefully over a separate bowl to isolate whites, avoiding any yolk contamination that can disrupt meringue formation.
- Add cream of tartar as a stabilizing agent, helping egg whites maintain their structure and create more consistent, glossy peaks.
- Use room temperature egg whites for faster, more stable whipping, allowing better air incorporation and smoother meringue texture.
- Experiment with alternative sweeteners like powdered sugar or monk fruit for lower-calorie or diabetic-friendly versions.
- Incorporate different flavor extracts like almond, lavender, or citrus zest to create unique taste variations.
- Store meringue kisses in humidity-controlled environments to prevent softening and maintain crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 51
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg