Gingercrunch Meringue Bombes Food

MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place the egg whites and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer); beat on medium speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and increase the speed to medium high; beat in the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, then add the extract or zest. Continue beating until the meringue is thick, glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 6 minutes.
• For colored cookies, swirl a few drops of food coloring into the meringue or use a small paintbrush to paint 3 long stripes of food coloring up the inside of a pastry bag. For chocolate chip versions, gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the mixture.
• Drop or pipe the meringue as desired, about 2 inches apart, on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired. Bake 1 hour, then turn off the oven and let the meringues stand in the oven until dry, about 2 hours. Top with or dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with nonpareils.

GINGER CRUNCH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. Line a deep-sided 18 x 27cm shallow baking tin with grease-proof paper.
• To make the base, put the flour, sugar, baking powder and ginger into a mixing bowl and combine together, then add the butter. Using your fingertips rub the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Heavily press the mixture evenly into the tin so it is well compressed and flatten well using the back of a spoon.
• Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
• Whilst the base is cooling make the icing by putting the butter and golden syrup in a medium saucepan and heat until just melted. Add the sifted icing sugar and ginger and cook for a few more minutes, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from the heat and poor over the cooled base. Leave to set in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Remove from the tin and cut into squares.