Description
Delicate and sweet, these classic meringue cookies are light, crisp, and melt-in-your-mouth treats made from whipped egg whites and sugar, with a hint of vanilla. Perfect for a low-fat dessert or an elegant snack, they are easy to make and ideal for parties or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Egg White Mixture
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar*
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract**
- 1 drop icing color (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure a low and slow baking environment for the meringues.
- Prepare Egg Whites: In a large, clean mixing bowl, combine the egg whites with cream of tartar and kosher salt. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, whip the mixture until it becomes foamy and starts turning white.
- Add Sugar Gradually: Slowly add the granulated sugar about 1/4 teaspoon at a time while continuing to whip the egg whites. This gradual addition helps stabilize the meringue.
- Whip to Stiff Peaks: Increase the mixer speed to high and whip the mixture until it becomes glossy with very stiff peaks, indicating it is fully aerated and stable.
- Flavor and Color: Gently stir in the vanilla extract and fold in a drop of icing color if you want colored meringues, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
- Pipe Meringues: Transfer the meringue mixture to a piping bag fitted with a French star tip and pipe 1-inch diameter kisses onto a parchment-lined baking sheet for uniform shape and size.
- Bake Gently: Bake the piped meringues in the preheated oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. The goal is to dry them out until they are light, crisp, and easily lift off the parchment without browning.
- Serve: Once baked, allow the meringues to cool completely if desired, and serve immediately for a fresh, airy treat.
Notes
- A few drops of lemon juice or white vinegar can be used instead of cream of tartar to stabilize the egg whites.
- Other extract flavors like almond or peppermint can be substituted for vanilla to customize the meringues.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 3.7g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
