Festive Meringue Desserts Food

FESTIVE MERINGUE DESSERTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F.
• Beat egg whites in medium bowl with mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating constantly until stiff peaks form. Blend in vanilla.
• Spoon or pipe egg white mixture into 3 (4-inch) rounds on each of 2 parchment- or foil-covered baking sheets. Use large spoon to make large indentation in center of each round, building up side as much as possible.
• Bake, one pan at a time, on center oven rack 55 min. or until meringues are dry and golden brown. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheets. Carefully remove meringues from parchment.
• Combine berries; set aside. Microwave chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted, stirring after each minute.
• Fill meringues with berries just before serving; top with COOL WHIP. Drizzle with melted chocolate.

FESTIVE MERINGUE AND PEAR DESSERT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F.
• Beat egg whites in large bowl with mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating constantly until stiff peaks form. Blend in vanilla. Stir in nuts.
• Spoon or pipe egg white mixture into 3 (4-inch) rounds on each of 2 parchment- or foil-covered baking sheets. Use large spoon to make large indentation in center of each round, building up side of each round as much as possible.
• Bake 55 min. or until meringues are dry and golden brown. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheets. Carefully remove meringues from parchment.
• Cut pears into thin slices; place in large nonstick skillet. Sprinkle with cinnamon and remaining sugar; cook on medium-high heat 3 min. or until sugar is melted and pears are evenly coated with sugar syrup, stirring occasionally. Spoon into centers of meringues; drizzle with caramel topping. Top with COOL WHIP.

CHRISTMAS TREE MERINGUES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 120C/100C fan/gas ½. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment and fit a large piping bag with a star nozzle. Put the egg whites in a clean bowl with a pinch of salt and whisk to soft peaks using electric beaters, about a minute or two. Add the sugar while whisking, a spoonful at a time, whisking well between each addition, until all of the sugar has been added and you have a thick, glossy meringue. Whisk in the cornflour and vinegar, then enough of the green food colouring to create a light green colour.
• Spoon the meringue into the piping bag. Start by piping the circular base, then spiral up so you have a Christmas tree shape. Put an edible star on top, if using, and sprinkle with hundreds and thousands. Repeat until you have 12 trees. Put the trees in the oven for 1 hr until crisp to the touch. Turn off the heat and leave in the oven for 1 hr to cool gradually.

WHITE FOREST MERINGUE ROULADE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter, then line a 23 x 32cm baking tray. Using an electric hand whisk, beat the egg whites, lemon juice and a pinch of salt until stiff.
• Add 1 tbsp of the caster sugar, then whisk until the mixture makes stiff peaks. Repeat with the rest of the sugar, spoon by spoon, until the mix is thick and shiny. Spread into the tin, then bake for 15 mins or until crisp to the touch and lightly golden in places. Leave to cool.
• Simmer the cherries, orange juice, sugar and cloves for 10 mins, or until the cherries are soft but still holding their shape. Mix the cornflour with 2-3 tsp cold water to make a paste, stir into the cherries and cook for a couple mins more until the juices thicken. Leave to cool.
• To assemble, sift icing sugar over a large piece of parchment, then carefully flip the meringue onto it. Remove the tin and parchment. With a short end facing you, score a line 2cm into the meringue.
• Whip the cream, icing sugar and vanilla until thick but not stiff, then spread over the meringue. Spoon over about half of the cherry sauce and scatter with the grated chocolate. Roll up the roulade, starting with the scored short end and using the paper underneath to help. Freeze the roulade for up to a month then defrost overnight. Freeze by setting on a parchment-lined tray then, once firm, wrap the parchment around it and cover with cling film. Freeze the remaining cherry sauce for up to a month.
• To serve, drizzle with the melted white chocolate. Top with a few of the whole cherries and serve the remaining sauce on the side.

FESTIVE MERINGUE COOKIES

Steps:

• Place egg white in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 250°., Beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy; add vanilla. Beat until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form., Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry bag; insert large star tip. Transfer meringue to bag. Pipe 2-in. circles or shapes 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. If desired, sprinkle with pearl or coarse sugar. , Bake until set and dry, 35-40 minutes. Turn oven off (do not open oven door); leave meringues in oven for 1-1/2 hours. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheets. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

FESTIVE MERINGUE CHRISTMAS TREES

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 200°. Add vanilla, cream of tartar and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form, about 7 minutes. Tint with green food coloring and mix thoroughly., Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag; insert a large #828 open star tip. Transfer meringue to bag. Pipe 2-in.-diameter tree shapes 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets; top with sprinkles and a star nonpareil. , Bake until firm to the touch, about 3 hours. Turn off oven and open door all the way; leave meringues in oven until cool. Remove meringues from parchment. If desired, sprinkle lightly with confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.