Meringues

Light and airy meringue cookies made with whipped egg whites, sugar, and vanilla. These delicate French-style treats bake low and slow for a crisp exterior and marshmallowy interior.

20 servings
1 hr 50 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup superfine sugar
  • 8 whole egg whites
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or foil. On each, draw 10 4-inch circles.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    3. Mix the sugars and set aside.

    2 min

  4. 4.

    4. In a bowl or electric mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and salt. Continue to beat, adding 1 tablespoon of sugar at a time and beating well after each addition. This will take about 10 minutes.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    5. Add the vanilla and beat at high speed until stiff and glossy.

    3 min

  6. 6.

    6. Using a pastry tube fitted with a large plain tip, pipe the meringue in coils starting at the center and continuing to the outside of each circle.

    15 min

  7. 7.

    7. Bake about 1 hour, until cream colored and firm. Leave the meringues in the turned-off oven for several hours or overnight without opening the oven door.

    60 min

  8. 8.

    8. When ready to serve, carefully peel away the paper or foil.

    5 min