Meringues
- Level: Easy
- Yield: about 20 cookies
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Calories
- 32 calorie
- Total Fat
- 0 grams
- Saturated Fat
- 0 grams
- Cholesterol
- 0 milligrams
- Sodium
- 23 milligrams
- Carbohydrates
- 8 grams
- Protein
- 1 grams
- Sugar
- 8 grams
- Total: 3 hr 25 min
- Prep: 2 hr 25 min
- Cook: 1 hr
Ingredients
3 large egg whites, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 2 teaspoons grated lime zest (optional)
Assorted food coloring (optional)
1/2 to 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Assorted sanding sugar, melted chocolate or nonpareils, for decorating
Directions
- 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.