Five Fabulous Meringue-Based Desserts To Try

With its origins deeply rooted in European traditions, meringue has evolved to become a versatile foundation for a variety of exquisite desserts. In this article, we will embark on a journey exploring five meringue-based desserts that not only dazzle the eyes but also tantalize the taste buds, with their heavenly textures and delightful flavors. Get ready to be amazed, as we delve into these wonders that you can easily recreate in the comfort of your kitchen.

Recipe 1. Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

Ingredients:

• Pie crust
• lemons
• sugar
• cornstarch
• water
• egg yolks
• butter and
• egg whites.

Steps:

• Start by pre baking your pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish.
• Create a lemon filling by combining sugar, cornstarch, water, lemon zest and lemon juice in a saucepan. Stir in egg yolks and simmer until it thickens beautifully. Remove from heat, and mix in butter.
• Gently pour the mouthwatering filling into the baked pie crust.
• For the meringue, you'll want to beat the egg whites until they reach a peak consistency. Gradually add sugar while beating to achieve peaks.
• Next, spread the meringue over the lemon filling, making sure it touches the edges of the crust.
• Bake until it turns a brown color.

Recipe 2. Chocolate Swirl Meringue Cookies

Ingredients:

• Egg whites
• sugar
• vanilla extract
• cream of tartar and
• melted chocolate.

Steps:

• Start by preheating your oven and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Beat the egg whites together with cream of tartar until you see soft peaks forming. Then, slowly add in sugar and vanilla while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
• To create those swirls in your cookies, gently fold in some melted chocolate into your mixture.
• Drop spoonfuls of this concoction onto your prepared baking sheet.
• Bake these cookies at a low temperature until they turn crisp and mouthwatering.

Recipe 3. Eton Mess

Ingredients:

• For this treat, gather store-bought or homemade meringues along with cream
• sugar and
• mixed berries.

Steps:

• Whip up some heavy cream with sugar until it reaches a soft peak consistency.
• Take your meringues. Crush them into bite sized pieces for that perfect texture.
• In serving glasses or bowls, layer whipped cream, followed by crushed meringue and mixed berries.
• Repeat these layers as desired and finish off with a few berries on top for a pop of color.

Recipe 4. Pavlova

Ingredients:

• You'll need egg whites
• sugar
• cornstarch
• white vinegar
• vanilla extract
• some whipped cream and
• fresh fruit for this dessert.

Instructions:

• Start by preheating your oven and preparing a baking tray with parchment paper.
• Take your egg whites, beat them until they form peaks. Gradually add in the sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and vanilla while continuing to beat the mixture.
• Now, it's time to shape the mixture into a circle on the baking tray. Make sure to create a well in the center.
• Bake at a low temperature until you achieve that balance of crispy outer texture and soft interior.
• Once baked, allow it to cool completely before adding a topping of whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Recipe 5. Baked Alaska

Ingredients:

• For this treat, gather cake base slices or layers
• your favorite ice cream flavor(s), and
• prepare meringue using egg whites and sugar.

Steps:

• Begin by placing a layer of cake in a baking dish.
• Next comes the exciting part – add a layer of ice cream on top of the cake layer. Place it in the freezer until firm.
• While waiting for the ice cream to firm up nicely in step 2 above, let’s whip up some meringue using those egg whites and sugar until they reach glossy peaks.
• Once your ice cream is firm enough, completely cover both the ice cream layer and cake with that meringue we made earlier.
• Finally pop it into an oven, preheated at temperature for a few minutes until you achieve that beautiful golden color on top.

Whether you're a baker or just starting out in the kitchen, these desserts give you a chance to express your artistry and impress your visitors. So, get your ovens warmed up and keep your whisks at the ready – a journey into meringue goodness awaits!