**Meringue Nests: A Heavenly Treat for Any Occasion**
Indulge in the delightful world of meringue nests, a culinary symphony of crisp, airy shells filled with a symphony of flavors. These ethereal creations, crafted from whipped egg whites and sugar, are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed on their own or dressed up with a variety of fillings, toppings, and sauces. From classic crème pâtissière to luscious fresh berries and tangy lemon curd, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're looking for a simple yet elegant dessert or a showstopping centerpiece for your next gathering, meringue nests are sure to impress. Embrace the art of meringue making with our collection of recipes, each offering a unique twist on this timeless dessert. From traditional to modern interpretations, discover the perfect meringue nest recipe to satisfy your sweet cravings.
**Recipes in this Article:**
1. **Classic Meringue Nests:**
- A fundamental recipe that showcases the beauty of simplicity.
- Learn the art of whipping egg whites to stiff peaks and folding in sugar for a delicate, crisp meringue.
- Bake until golden brown and fill with your favorite fillings.
2. **Chocolate Meringue Nests:**
- A chocolate lover's dream come true.
- Incorporate rich cocoa powder or melted chocolate into the meringue batter for a decadent twist.
- Pair with chocolate ganache, whipped cream, or fresh raspberries for a luxurious dessert experience.
3. **Lemon Meringue Nests:**
- A burst of citrusy sunshine in every bite.
- Infuse the meringue batter with lemon zest and juice for a bright, tangy flavor.
- Fill with lemon curd or creamy mascarpone cheese for a perfect balance of flavors.
4. **Pistachio Meringue Nests:**
- A delightful fusion of nutty and sweet.
- Add vibrant green pistachio powder or chopped pistachios to the meringue for a vibrant color and nutty texture.
- Top with pistachio ice cream, crushed pistachios, or a drizzle of honey for an unforgettable dessert.
5. **Salted Caramel Meringue Nests:**
- A symphony of sweet, salty, and buttery notes.
- Swirl salted caramel sauce into the meringue batter for a tantalizing flavor combination.
- Fill with salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of sea salt for a delightful contrast.
MERINGUE NESTS
These crunch meringue shells will have guests "oohing" and "aahing." Topped with your favorite fresh fruit, they're pretty served with a spring meal.-Taste of Home Cooking School, Greendale, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h10m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat the egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. , Drop meringue into 8 mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shape into 3-in. cups with the back of a spoon. Or place meringue mixture in pastry bag fitted with star tip. Pipe meringue onto parchment to form eight 3-in. cups., Bake at 275° for 45-50 minutes or until set and dry. Turn off oven and do not open door; leave meringues in oven for 1 hour. Fill with fruit. If desired, top with whipped cream and mint.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 81 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 21mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MERINGUE NESTS RECIPE BY TASTY
These strawberry shortcake meringue nests make a perfect sweet ending to a summer gathering. They take a bit of time to bake but are well worth the wait. The strawberry sauce comes together in a snap, and you can use store-bought pound cake and whipped cream to save time.
Provided by Katie Aubin
Categories Desserts
Time 3h10m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread ¾ cup (150 G) of sugar on the baking sheet, then bake for 7 minutes to warm. Remove the sugar from the oven and leave the oven on.
- In a large clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer on low speed until foamy, then add the salt. While beating, add the warm sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, gradually increasing the mixer speed, until thick and shiny peaks form, 5-7 minutes. Add the vanilla and fold in until just incorporated.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Heap 10 equal scoops of meringue onto the baking sheets, spacing at least 1 inch (2 ½ cm) apart. Use the back of a spoon to create a divot in the center of each mound.
- Bake for about 90 minutes, until the meringues lift cleanly off the parchment. Once done, turn off the oven and let the meringues cool in the oven for 2 hours, up to overnight. When removed from the oven, the meringues should sound hollow when tapped.
- Meanwhile, make the strawberry puree: In a small saucepan, combine the thinly sliced strawberries, ¼ cup (50 G) sugar, and the lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate, until some of the juices have released.
- Transfer the pan to the stove and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the strawberries have slightly softened but are still vibrant red. Remove from heat and push through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds. Let cool. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- To serve, heap ¼ cup (60 ml) whipped cream onto each meringue nest. Top with 1 heaping tablespoon pound cake cubes and 2 tablespoons quartered strawberries. Drizzle each with 2 tablespoons strawberry puree.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 230 calories, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 5 grams, Sugar 27 grams
MERINGUE NESTS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 6h20m
Yield 8 nests
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a large clean dry bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until thick and opaque, about 1 more minute. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, and beat until stiff shiny peaks form, about 5 more minutes.
- Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe eight 3-inch disks on the baking sheets, then pipe around the edge of the disks to create 2-inch-high sides. Bake at 250 degrees F until dry and crisp, about 3 hours. Let cool completely on the baking sheets. Store in an airtight container in a dry place for up to 1 week.
- For the filling, whisk the mascarpone with the confectioners' sugar, then whisk in the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Spoon into the meringue nests; top with sugar pearls.
MERINGUE NESTS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F (100°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, begin whipping the egg whites with the salt at medium speed until frothy.
- Increase the speed of the mixer to medium-high and whip until the egg whites thicken and begin to hold their shape. Continue whipping the whites while adding the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Once the sugar's been added, add the vanilla and continue to whip for 2 minutes, until stiff and glossy.
- Remove the mixer bowl from the stand and sift the confectioners' sugar over the meringue while simultaneously folding it in.
- Divide the meringue into 8 portions, evenly spaced, on the baking sheet. (They'll all fit if you arrange 3 down each side lengthwise and 2 in the center.)
- Take a spoon, dip it in water, tap off the excess, and make a hollow in the center of each meringue, like mashed potatoes in preparation for gravy.
- Bake the meringues for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and continue to let the meringues dry out in the oven for 1 hour more.
- The meringues are done when they feel dry and lift easily off the parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Variations
- Meringue nests lend themselves to many variations. Here are some of my favorites. Simply fold the additional ingredients into the meringue after adding in the confectioners' sugar.
- Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Coconut: 1/2 cup (40 g) dried shredded coconut, toasted
- Cocoa Nib: 6 tablespoons (60 g) cocoa nibs
- Coffee: 1 tablespoon best-quality instant coffee (crush the crystals into a fine powder with the back of a spoon first) or espresso powder
- Chocolate: 3 tablespoons (21 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- Chocolate Chip: 1/2 cup (80 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (regular or mini)
- Chocolate-Chocolate Chip: 3 tablespoons (21 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder and 1/3 cup (60 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (regular or mini)
- Green Tea and Black Sesame: 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha (green tea powder) and 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
- For Almond Meringue Nests: Replace the vanilla with 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and press 2 tablespoons sliced almonds into the top of each meringue before baking.
- Storage
- Once cool, store the meringues in an absolutely airtight container until ready to serve. They can be made 1 week in advance.
STRAWBERRY MERINGUE NESTS
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees with rack in lower third. Coat two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray; line with parchment paper.
- With an electric mixer, beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Very gradually beat in sugar, adding 1 tablespoon at a time; beat until stiff and glossy.
- Drop 8 mounds of meringue onto prepared baking sheets; twirl a teaspoon in the center of each to spread to a diameter of 4 inches and create a nest. Bake until dry but still white, about 1 1/2 hours, rotating baking sheets halfway through; let cool on sheets.
- Use a small paring knife to hull and quarter strawberries. In a bowl, toss strawberries with sugar; let stand, at least 30 minutes. Spoon into nests.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 57 g
EGG-SHAPED MERINGUE NESTS
No, these aren't sunny-side-up eggs! They're light-as-air meringues filled with homemade lemon curd and sprinkled with poppy seeds -- they make a show-stopping Easter dessert.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Time 5h
Yield Makes 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Draw eight 3-inch egg shapes on a piece of parchment. Place on a baking sheet, marked-side down.
- Beat egg whites, lemon juice, and vanilla on medium-low until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low and gradually add sugar. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 3 minutes. Sift cornstarch over bowl and fold into whites with lemon zest.
- Fit a pastry bag with a large fluted tip (such as Ateco #825) and fill bag with meringue. Secure corners of parchment to baking sheet with dabs of meringue. Pipe a border of meringue along the inside of an egg shape, then add an extra layer around perimeter to form a 1-inch collar. Pipe a dab of meringue in the center and smooth with the back of a spoon to create an indentation. Repeat with remaining egg shapes.
- Bake 1 hour. Reduce heat to 175 degrees and bake until meringue has dried and is firm enough to pull off the baking sheet, 3 to 4 1/2 hours. Let cool completely before filling with curd and sprinkling with poppy seeds.
MERINGUE EASTER NESTS
Usually the mother bird that builds the nest. With this no-fuss meringue recipe it easy for your children to create a cute little candy gift for Easter or Mother's Day. Also nice for spring tea parties and any kids party involving the outdoors
Provided by Stormy Stewart
Categories Other Desserts
Time 1h40m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (available at most grocery stores). In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form.
- 2. Then, slowly add the sugar, beating constantly until the mixture is glossy and stiff (another minute or so). Beat in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- 3. Now you're ready to make the meringue nests. Spoon three mounds of the mixture onto each baking sheet. Use the bowl of the spoon to shape each mound into a 4-inch-wide circle with a 2-inch-deep depression in the center. Give your nests a lived-in look by sprinkling shredded coconut over each one.
- 4. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the meringues are dry and the coconut has turned golden brown. Once cool, tuck one malted candy egg or jelly bean into the nest for each child in the family. Makes 6 nests.
Tips:
- Use the freshest egg whites possible. Older egg whites may not whip up as well and can result in a less stable meringue.
- Make sure the egg whites are at room temperature before you start whipping them. This will help them whip up more quickly and easily.
- Whip the egg whites gradually, starting on low speed and increasing the speed as the whites begin to foam. This will help prevent the whites from becoming overbeaten and grainy.
- Add the sugar slowly, one tablespoon at a time. This will help prevent the meringue from becoming too stiff and difficult to work with.
- Continue whipping the meringue until it reaches stiff peaks. This means that the peaks of the meringue should stand straight up when you lift the beaters out of the bowl.
- If you are using a food processor to make the meringue, be careful not to overbeat it. The meringue is ready when it is thick and glossy and holds stiff peaks.
- Use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe the meringue nests. This will help you create evenly shaped nests.
- Bake the meringue nests in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) for 1 hour, or until they are dry and crisp.
- Let the meringue nests cool completely before filling them with your favorite fillings.
Conclusion:
Meringue nests are a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed on their own or filled with your favorite fillings. They are perfect for any occasion, from a casual get-together to a formal dinner party. With a little practice, you can easily make perfect meringue nests at home. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat, give meringue nests a try!
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