**Meringue Snowflakes: A Delicate and Festive Treat**
Meringue snowflakes are a delightful and festive treat that are perfect for any special occasion. These delicate cookies are made with just a few simple ingredients: egg whites, sugar, and vanilla extract. They are then baked at a low temperature until they are crisp and airy. The result is a cookie that is light and fluffy, with a delicate sweetness.
This article provides recipes for three different variations of meringue snowflakes: classic meringue snowflakes, chocolate meringue snowflakes, and peppermint meringue snowflakes. Each variation has its own unique flavor and appearance, so you can choose the one that best suits your taste.
**Classic Meringue Snowflakes:** These are the basic meringue snowflakes, and they are a great starting point for beginners. They are made with just egg whites, sugar, and vanilla extract.
**Chocolate Meringue Snowflakes:** These snowflakes are made with the addition of cocoa powder, which gives them a rich chocolate flavor. They are perfect for chocolate lovers.
**Peppermint Meringue Snowflakes:** These snowflakes are made with the addition of peppermint extract, which gives them a refreshing and festive flavor. They are perfect for Christmas or other winter holidays.
No matter which variation you choose, meringue snowflakes are sure to be a hit with your friends and family. They are a beautiful and delicious treat that is perfect for any special occasion.
MERINGUE SNOWWOMEN
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories dessert
Time 3h55m
Yield 16 to 18 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the meringue: Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a large pastry bag with a 1/3-inch diameter plain tip and coupler.
- Combine the egg whites, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer set over a pan of simmering water to make a double boiler. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch (it should read 140 degrees F on a candy thermometer), about 4 minutes.
- Put the bowl on the mixer with the whisk attachment. Whisk on low to cool the mixture for about 30 seconds, then gradually increase the speed to high and whip until the mixture is no longer warm and forms very stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the peppermint extract.
- Fill the pastry bag with the meringue. Working at a 90-degree angle to the baking sheet, pipe and lift the bag to form the base of the snowwoman, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Lift the bag slightly to finish the ball, then pipe another slightly smaller ball on top. Lift slightly again and form one more slightly smaller ball for the head. Continue to pipe, leaving an inch in between, until you have 16 to 18 snowwomen. Wet your finger and gently smooth any sharp points on the heads.
- Bake until the snowwomen are shiny, bright white and dry throughout, about 1 1/2 hours. Turn off the oven and let the snowwomen cool and continue to dry in the oven, about an hour more.
- For decoration: Melt the semisweet and white chocolate chips in separate bowls in a microwave or double boiler.
- Dip the top of the heads in white chocolate, then add nonpareils to make hats. Dip a small paintbrush in the semisweet chocolate and dot on eyes, eyelashes and buttons. With a separate brush, dab a small bit of the white chocolate between the eyes and stick on an orange sprinkle for a carrot nose.
- Cut the candy belts to make scarves. Wrap the scarves around, using a dab of white chocolate to affix and close the scarves.
- Set 2 pretzel sticks parallel to each other with a space in between, like skis. Attach the skis with a smear of white chocolate on the bottom of a snowwoman and set the snowwoman on top. Repeat with the remaining snowwomen so they're all skiing. Let set. (You can stick them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to hurry this along.)
SNOW-PUFFED MERINGUES
My family and friends like a nice pick-me-up dessert after a big holiday meal. These feather-light morsels fit the bill perfectly. To make six dozen cookies, or to make them easier to ship, skip the Nutella and dust with cocoa instead. -Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h5m
Yield about 3 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 225°. Add vanilla 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. Fold in confectioners' sugar., Place meringue in a pastry bag fitted with a #1M open star tip. Pipe 1-1/2-in. rosettes onto parchment-lined baking sheets., Bake until firm to the touch, 45-50 minutes. Turn off oven (do not open oven door); leave meringues in oven 1-1/2 hours. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheets., Remove meringues from parchment. Pipe or spread Nutella onto bottoms of half the cookies; cover with remaining cookies. Store in airtight containers at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 40 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 24mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ROYAL ICING SNOWFLAKES BY ROSE LEVY BERANBAUM
From the author of the Cake Bible: "Roses Christmas Cookies". Everyone loves to nibble on these delights! Rose: "They take hours to make, but the results are pure magic and provide the most exquisite Christmas tree and wreath decorations. The snowflakes can also be made as permanent ornaments with an inedible substance." Rose...
Provided by Stacia Osborn
Categories Other Non-Edibles
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, place the egg whites and sugar and beat, preferably with the whisk beater, at low speed, until the sugar is moistened. Beat at high speed until very glossy and stiff peaks form when the beater is lifted (5 to 7 minutes). the tips of the peaks should curve slightly. If necessary, more powdered sugar may be added. Keeps 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Rebeat slightly. TO MAKE YOUR ROYAL ICING USING MERINGUE POWDER INSTEAD OF EGG WHITES AS DIRECTED ABOVE: Replace the egg whites with 3 tablespoons of meringue powder and 3 fluid ounces (or 6 tablespoons) of warm water; this is approximately the amount of water contained in the eggs. Proceed as for basic Royal Icing. Keeps 2 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. Rebeat slightly.
- 2. Scrape the icing immediately into the prepared decorating bag and close tightly so that the icing does not dry. When not piping, keep the tip covered at all times with a damp towel. Place the templates on a counter and place round pieces of parchment paper (about 6" in diameter) on top of them. Tape them to the counter in a few places so that they do not slip while you are piping the snowflakes. Follow the outline of each template. First pipe the long 'legs' of the flake, starting at the outside perimeter and stopping at the center. Use the the paintbrush, dipped in water, to smooth and irregularities in the icing. Remove the tape and slip out the template to use for other snowflakes.
- 3. When all the snowflakes are piped, brush one at a time with the beaten egg whites and sprinkle each immediately with about 1 teaspoon of the crystal sugar. Allow the snowflakes to dry for at least 24 hours before removing them from the parchment.
- 4. TO REMOVE THE SNOWFLAKES FROM THE PARCHMENT: Hold the snowflakes on a flat counter, allowing small sections to extend over the edge. Support the snowflake with a broad spatula while you pull the parchment down and away from the extended section. A VERY THIN spatula or pancake turner also works if carefully slipped under the snowflake.
- 5. STORE: in an airtight container, between sheets of wax paper, at room temperature and low humidity. Keeps indefinitely at low humidity.
MERINGUE SNOWFLAKES
For a party favor or gift your friends will remember for years to come, try these gorgeous cookies. Add a bit of glitz with white or light blue decorating sugar. A bit of piping practice isn't a bad thing to have in making these fabulous creations.
Provided by Annacia
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 12 snowflakes
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place egg whites in a medium bowl.
- Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
- Draw six 3-1/2-inch circles on each sheet of paper or foil.
- Set aside.
- FOR MERINGUE:
- Add cream of tartar and salt to egg whites.
- Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks forms (tips curl).
- Gradually add the 1/2 cup superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form ( tips stand straight) and sugar is nearly dissolved.
- Transfer meringue to a decorating bag fitted with a 3/8-inch round tip.
- Pipe snowflake shapes on top of circles on paper or foil.
- Sprinkle with the decorating sugar.
- Bake all of the meringues at the same time on separate oven racks for 10 minutes.
- Turn off oven; let meringues dry in oven with door closed for 1 hour.
- Lift meringues off paper or foil.
- Transfer to wire racks; cool completely.
- Makes 12 meringue snowflakes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 35.3, Sodium 22.1, Carbohydrate 8.4, Sugar 8.4, Protein 0.6
SPARKLY MERINGUE SNOWMEN
For my son's first Christmas home from Iraq, I wanted everything to feel magical. He loves meringue cookies, so I made a big batch of minty snowmen and snowflakes. -Patricia Lindsay, Independence, Kansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h50m
Yield About 1 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 200°. Add cream of tartar 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. Fold in extract., Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; insert a #12 round tip. Transfer meringue to bag. Pipe snowmen about 4 in. tall, 2 in. apart, onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Decorate with black nonpareils and orange sprinkles. Bake until firm to the touch, 80-90 minutes., Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 31 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 8mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic exchanges
Tips:
- Use fresh egg whites at room temperature for best results.
- Make sure your mixing bowl and beaters are completely clean and free of grease.
- Beat the egg whites gradually, starting on low speed and increasing to high speed as the whites begin to foam.
- Continue beating until the whites are stiff and glossy and form peaks that hold their shape.
- Add the sugar in small increments, beating well after each addition.
- Flavor the meringue with extracts, spices, or zest.
- Pipe the meringue onto parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Bake the meringues in a low oven until they are crisp and dry.
- Let the meringues cool completely before storing.
Conclusion:
Meringue snowflakes are a delicious and festive treat that can be enjoyed during the holiday season or any time of year. With a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can create these beautiful and delicate cookies that are sure to impress your friends and family.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#60-minutes-or-less #time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #preparation #occasion #healthy #5-ingredients-or-less #hand-formed-cookies #desserts #eggs-dairy #easy #holiday-event #low-fat #winter #cookies-and-brownies #dietary #christmas #low-cholesterol #seasonal #low-saturated-fat #low-in-something
You'll also love