Meringue Wreaths

Meringue wreaths are an elegant and light dessert, perfect for concluding a special meal or enjoying them with tea or coffee in the afternoon. Here is the recipe to prepare delicious meringue wreaths.

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 250 g powdered sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 90 °C (194 °F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make sure the bowl you will use to whip the egg whites is absolutely clean and dry.
3. Start whipping the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, adding a pinch of salt. When they begin to foam, gradually add the powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, without stopping beating.
4. Once all the sugar has been incorporated and the meringue is glossy and forms stiff peaks, add the lemon juice and vanilla extract, if using.
5. Transfer the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
6. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, form wreaths by piping a spiral of meringue starting from the center and expanding outward.
7. Bake the wreaths for about 1-2 hours at 90 °C or until they are dry to the touch and easily lift off the parchment paper.
8. Let them cool completely in the turned-off oven with the door slightly ajar to prevent them from absorbing moisture.

Meringue wreaths keep perfectly in an airtight container for several days.

Trivia

Meringue has very ancient origins and is associated with various countries, but the version we know today was developed in France in the 17th century. Precision in preparation and patience in drying it in the oven are the keys to achieving a perfect meringue: crisp on the outside and slightly soft on the inside.