Description
Crispy Meringue Cookies are light, sweet, and perfectly crispy treats made from whipped egg whites and sugar. These airy cookies are a delightful dessert that melts in your mouth, featuring a crisp exterior and a delicate texture. They are simple to make, naturally gluten-free, and can be customized with optional flavorings or decorations like food coloring or chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: food coloring or chocolate drizzle for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 225°F (107°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up easier.
- Whip egg whites: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites along with cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form, which means the egg whites hold a gentle peak when the beaters are lifted.
- Add sugar gradually: Slowly add the granulated sugar one tablespoon at a time while continuing to beat the mixture. This gradual addition helps dissolve the sugar thoroughly, creating stiff, glossy peaks and a smooth meringue that holds its shape.
- Incorporate flavoring: Gently fold in the vanilla extract and any optional food coloring if you desire colorful meringues. Be careful not to deflate the meringue by stirring too vigorously.
- Shape meringues: Using a piping bag fitted with a round tip or simply a spoon, drop or pipe small mounds of the meringue onto the prepared baking sheets. Space them about 1 inch apart to allow air circulation and even baking.
- Bake the meringues: Place the trays in the oven and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until the meringues are dry to the touch and crisp on the outside.
- Cool gradually: Turn off the oven, crack the oven door slightly open, and let the meringues cool completely inside. This slow cooling process prevents cracking and keeps them crisp.
- Optional decoration: Once fully cooled, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the meringues for added flavor and decoration if desired.
Notes
- Ensure no yolk contaminates the egg whites as fat prevents proper whipping.
- Store meringues in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness.
- Use room temperature egg whites for better volume when whipping.
- Do not open the oven during baking as this may cause the meringues to collapse.
- If adding food coloring, fold gently to avoid deflating the meringue.
