Description
Make light, airy meringue cookies with a crisp exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth center using this simple French meringue technique.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 cup superfine granulated sugar (caster sugar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (95 degrees Celsius). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the egg whites and cream of tartar in a very clean, grease-free mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add the superfine sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat the mixture on medium-high speed. Wait about 30 seconds between each sugar addition.
- Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed to high. Beat until the meringue is very stiff, glossy, and holds firm peaks when you lift the whisk. Rub a small amount between your fingers; if it feels gritty, continue beating until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or use two spoons for rustic dollops). Pipe small kisses or rounds onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cookies should look dry and lift easily from the parchment paper.
- Turn off the oven, prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon, and let the meringue cookies cool completely inside the oven for at least 1 hour, or until the oven is cold. This drying process ensures crispness.
Notes
- Ensure your mixing bowl and whisk attachments are completely free of any grease or yolk; this prevents the egg whites from whipping properly.
- For flavored variations, gently fold in 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry powder or 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips after the meringue reaches stiff peaks.
- If you do not have superfine sugar, pulse regular granulated sugar in a food processor for 30 seconds.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 90 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 11
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0