23 Light, Airy Meringue Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the main ingredient in meringue which makes it light and fluffy? ›

Meringue is a classic confection that has stood the test of time. It is a delicate foam made by beating egg whites and sugar until they reach stiff peaks. The resulting texture is light and airy, and the taste is sweet and ethereal.

From soufflés to pie toppings to cookies and Pavlova, meringue can be served any number of ways. But not all meringues are the same. There are in fact three major types: French, Swiss, and Italian.

It can be made with any sugar. One cup of superfine sugar or packed brown sugar is equal to 1 cup of granulated sugar; 1-3/4 cups powdered sugar equals 1 cup granulated. Superfine sugar may dissolve more readily and produce a smoother glossier meringue, but volume will not be as great.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is an excellent way to foolproof your meringue. Use it to create added fluff and keep your hard-won volume from shrinking. Cream of Tartar: Often added in when making meringues, acidic cream of tartar provides lift and stabilization.

The cornflour and vinegar that is added strengthens the egg white and make it more stable and you get the marshmallowy centres from the shorter cooking time.

The most stable type of meringue is the Italian style, which is made by beating egg whites to firm peaks, then slowly whisking in hot sugar syrup to produce a dense meringue with a satiny texture that can be used as-is to top cakes and pies, or as a base for buttercream frosting.

Back to the proportion and ratio part, if you want your meringue to come out firm and crisp on the outside you need to use 1 part egg whites 2 parts granulated sugar. The other secret to a real good meringue is time, you have to whisk the egg whites and sugar enough time to get a stable meringue.

Should you whisk meringue fast or slow? ›

Slow and steady is the fast and hard rule for any meringue. Start slow when whipping the whites for small and stable bubbles, slowly up the tempo so you don't over beat and then slowly add the sugar. This goes for your oven too. We're not cooking, so much as drying out the meringue.

Whisk on a low speed for 1 minute, then increase the speed to medium and whisk for another 2-3 minutes, or until the egg whites form stiff peaks. If you lift the whisk attachment out of the bowl, the mixture should look fluffy and cling to them, while the peaks remain stiff and moist-looking.

No yolks here! Surprisingly, fat is the enemy of a good meringue. Think about it this way: Egg yolks are what you use when you want a dense, luscious dessert like mousse or chocolate pudding. Egg whites provide the lightest, airiest texture you can imagine.

Any kind of grease ruins meringue. That means that your cooking utensils need to be immaculately clean. Even if you're sure they're clean but they've been sitting in your kitchen for a while, run some hot, hot water over them and dry with a clean dish towel or paper towel.

Over whip the egg whites and you risk making them too firm and they will risk losing the moisture that they hold. This will affect your meringue's crispness, as well as making it more likely to collapse or weep beads of sugar. As my meringue guru Gary Mehigan advises: “If you over whip the egg whites you cannot fix it.

This is where the other key ingredient of meringue comes in: Sugar! Adding sugar to foamy egg whites creates a thick and glossy foam. This foam remains even after you stop whisking. Food scientists believe that sugar helps more proteins gather on the surface of the air bubbles, making the bubbles even more stable.

2 Answers. The easiest way to prevent meringue from weeping is by adding a teaspoon of cornstarch to the recipe, which will absorb the excess moisture that causes it. If you're a bit adventurous, you can also opt to sprinkle some cookie crumbs over your filling so when it weeps, the crumbs will absorb the moisture.

Fats, water, or dirt may compromise the meringue and prevent it from achieving the fluffy heights you desire. Avoid plastic bowls, which can retain traces of oil. Separate your eggs carefully. Enough yolk will also prevent the egg white proteins from binding together in the way you need.

Chiffon fillings have a light, fluffy texture created by the addition of beaten egg whites and sometimes whipped cream.