Description
Light, airy, and delightfully crisp, these red, white, and blue meringue kisses are perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, Memorial Day, or any patriotic event. With a melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive swirl design, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the meringues do not stick during baking.
- Beat Egg Whites and Cream of Tartar: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar on medium speed until they become foamy, which helps stabilize the meringue.
- Add Sugar Gradually: Gradually add the granulated sugar one tablespoon at a time while increasing the mixer speed to high. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form, which takes about 6–8 minutes, ensuring a smooth and shiny meringue.
- Incorporate Vanilla Extract: Beat in the vanilla extract to add flavor evenly throughout the meringue mixture.
- Create Patriotic Swirl in Piping Bag: Using a small food-safe paintbrush, paint alternating stripes of red and blue gel food coloring inside a piping bag fitted with a large star tip to create the festive swirl effect on the cookies.
- Fill Piping Bag and Pipe Meringue Kisses: Carefully spoon the meringue mixture into the prepared piping bag without disturbing the painted stripes, then pipe 1-inch meringue kisses onto the baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart for even cooking.
- Bake the Meringue Kisses: Bake the meringues in the preheated oven for 1.5 hours to dry out the meringues without browning them, preserving their white color and crisp texture.
- Cool Inside Oven: Turn off the oven and leave the meringues inside to cool for at least 1 hour without opening the oven door, allowing them to dry completely and develop their characteristic crispness.
- Store Properly: Once cooled, remove the meringue kisses from the oven and store them in an airtight container to keep them crisp and fresh until serving.
Notes
- Ensure your mixing bowl and beaters are completely grease-free to help the egg whites whip properly and form stiff peaks.
- Avoid making meringues on humid days, as moisture in the air can prevent them from drying out and becoming crisp.
