Meringues
Meringues are the one of my other favorites that can become any number of desserts or sweet things to munch on. I have made thousands of meringues over the years and this is how I do it. If you like meringues and have never made an Eton Mess, you are missing out on something very special. Check out the easy Eton mess recipe.
What you need
3 egg whites
3/4 cup castor sugar
The process
Separate the eggs and place the whites in a large glass bowl. Mix with an electric beater on low until they are frothy, then turn the speed up to the highest you have and mix until the whites are creamy and stiff.
You will know they are ready for the sugar when you remove the beaters and the whites form a peak that does not fall over. Now add the castor sugar in 4 equal amounts beating on fast until the mixture shines. It will look luxurious and you will be tempted to dive in straight away.
Line a baking tray with grease proof paper and make mounds of about 2 tablespoons for each meringue or if you have a piping bag, pipe them about 4/5 cm high.
The trick is this. Heat the oven to 140 Celsius, place the meringues in the middle of the oven, close the door and turn down to 120 Celsius immediately. Bake for 45 minutes, then turn the oven off and allow the meringues to cool completely in the oven (about 2 hours). this dries them out and gives you an even crunch with no gooey bits in the center.
Serve with cream and strawberries or whip some cream and stick the meringues together in a pyramid shape with the cream and dot with strawberries on the outside.
Hi. I’d like to make cupcakes with a meringue top (it’s for my sister’s little girl’s first birthday and it’s a fairy theme). Will food colouring affect the baking process and if so, what do you recommend? I’ve never made meringues before, so I’d like the first time to not be such a disaster 🙂
Hi Sonette, sorry for the late reply, I have been holidaying in Cape Town 🙂 You can add food colouring to meringue but have never done it myself. I would add 3 or 4 drops of colouring to the finished mixture and stir it in, use red food colouring for pink. Happy holidays and happy birthday to little sister. G
Hi there
This looks great. BUT, I also do enjoy a meringue that has a bit of chewy softness in the middle and an outer crunch. I have been searching for easy recipes and I happened to have found one on another site until today!! The recipe I found gave both icing sugar and castor sugar. Interesting. I did my own variation on my first attempt, in the fact that I added some cocoa to make it a delicious chocolate flavour, turned out rather well if I may say so myself.
I think I am going to give your version a try 🙂 🙂
Fabulous Nola, I like the idea of the cocoa powder, I usually flavour the cream or ice cream that I am serving them with. Thanks for stopping in, have a lekker day G
Theselook amazing and delicious we are going to make them next week
Hi Marina, don’t forget to try the Eton mess with some of them, you won’t regret it. Have a lekker evening G
https://cookbook.co.za/dessert-recipes/easy-eton-mess/
Thanx for this recipe, my 5 yo daughter and I made them and sprinkled some 100’s and 1000’s on (for effect you know) 🙂 5yo’s just have to have them on everything. Recipe was a roaring success and….GLUTEN FREE for those who suffer gluten intolerance. One bite and all resistance crumbles – may I use that line? I just did, it’s worth it.
Thats what I like to hear, having fun in the kitchen is what it’s all about. You guys have a fantastic Easter. You said it, they are irresistible. Cheers G
I have never made meringues before and I made these last night. I could not believe 1. how easy they were to make, and 2. how gorgeously delicious they are! thanks for a great recipe! I feel like a meringue pro!
Fantastic Nicole, I just love to hear that… Thanks for letting me know
Congratulations Diane, I am sure she will love them. Go get em! G
THANK YOU FOR MERINGUES RECIPE. IT IS MY DAUGHTERS 21ST ON THE 27TH SEPT AND SHE WANTS MERINGUES BASKETS FILLED WITH STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM. I HAVE BAKED EVERYTHING BUT NEVER MADE A MERINGUE SO WITH THIS RECIPE IN HAND I AM GOING TO DO IT!!! HOLD THUMBS FOR ME
Hahaha, gotta love those sweet things. Enjoy them Lynn.
G
whooooooooohooooooooo another sweet recipe THANK YOU GRAHAM
we made some meringues over the weekend, but slightly different recipe to this one, sure to try this, easier, haha.
more sweets please