Description
Sweet holiday meringue trees bring festive cheer to winter gatherings, sparkling with delicate peaks and whimsical green swirls. Crisp, airy confections will delight guests with their charming seasonal spirit.
Ingredients
Scale
Meringue Base:
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Coloring and Decoration:
- Food coloring (red, green, white)
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Carefully separate egg whites, ensuring no yolk contamination, and allow them to reach room temperature for optimal volume.
- Place egg whites in a clean, grease-free mixing bowl and incorporate a tiny pinch of salt.
- Whip egg whites using an electric mixer at medium speed until they transform into soft, billowy peaks that gently curl when the whisk is lifted.
- Introduce granulated sugar gradually, adding one tablespoon at a time while continuously beating at high speed.
- Continue mixing until the meringue becomes thick, glossy, and forms stiff peaks that hold their shape firmly (approximately 5-7 minutes of vigorous beating).
- Delicately incorporate vanilla extract by gently folding it into the meringue using a spatula to maintain the mixture’s airy structure.
- Separate the meringue into individual bowls and introduce food coloring, using a gentle folding technique to distribute color evenly without deflating the mixture.
- Transfer the colored meringue into a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip for creating intricate tree designs.
- Carefully pipe tree-shaped silhouettes onto parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring consistent spacing between each design.
- Position the baking sheets in a preheated oven at 225°F (110°C) and allow meringues to dry and crisp for 1½ to 2 hours.
- After baking, turn off the oven and leave the door slightly ajar, allowing meringues to cool and further set for an additional hour.
- Once completely cooled, embellish the meringue trees with festive sprinkles or shimmering edible glitter just before serving.
Notes
- Whip egg whites at room temperature for maximum volume and stability.
- Use clean, grease-free equipment to ensure meringue peaks form correctly.
- Add sugar gradually to prevent deflating the egg whites and create smooth, glossy texture.
- Low and slow baking helps dry out meringues without browning, maintaining their delicate structure.
- Store in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption and maintain crisp texture.
- Experiment with different food coloring shades for festive holiday variations.
- Adjust piping techniques to create unique tree shapes and sizes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg