Recipe courtesy of The Official Harry Potter Cookbook

Hedwig Meringues

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 2 hr 55 min (includes cooling time)
  • Active: 1 hr
  • Yield: 8 servings
Presented to Harry by Hagrid as a gift for his eleventh birthday, snow owl Hedwig is a loyal and true friend to The Boy Who Lived, even if she does give him a nip now and then (usually when he’s late visiting the Hogwarts Owlery). This recipe from "The Official Harry Potter Cookbook” shows you how to make your own melt-in-the-mouth meringue versions of Harry’s feathery animal companion. Trust us when we say that one won’t be enough . . .

Ingredients

For the Meringues:

To Finish:

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (130 degrees C/gas mark 1/2). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk the egg whites in a thoroughly clean bowl until just peaking. Add a tablespoon of the sugar and whisk again for 10 seconds. Add another tablespoon of the sugar. Continue to whisk the mixture, gradually adding the remaining sugar in the same way, until the meringue is thick and glossy (see Cook’s Note).
  3. Spoon a heaped 1/4 cup (an eighth of the mixture) onto the baking sheet. Use a second spoon to release it from the first. Spread the back of a spoon to a shape that measures 3-by-2-1/2 inches (7.5-by-6 centimeters).
  4. Position a raisin halfway between the eyes for the beak. Push plenty of flaked almonds into the meringue for feathers. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes until the meringue feels just crisp when tapped. If necessary, bake a little longer. Leave to cool.
  5. Decorate the eyes by piping large circles of yellow frosting and small centers of brown or black frosting.

Cook’s Note

The secret to perfect meringues is to give the mixture a good whisk in between each addition of sugar. If the sugar is added too quickly, the egg whites won’t be able to hold it and syrup will seep out of the meringues during baking.