Description
Delight in these light and festive Patriotic Meringue Kisses, featuring a beautiful red, white, and blue swirl perfect for celebrating American holidays like the Fourth of July or Memorial Day. Crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth soft inside, these gluten-free treats use whipped egg whites and colorful gel food coloring to create a visually striking dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Meringue Mixture
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the meringues from sticking.
- Beat Egg Whites and Cream of Tartar: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the 3 large egg whites and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form, which provides the structure for your meringues.
- Incorporate Sugar Gradually: Gradually add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, increasing the mixer speed to high. Continue beating for about 5 to 6 minutes until stiff, glossy peaks form and the sugar is fully dissolved, ensuring a smooth, stable meringue.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract just until incorporated to add a subtle flavor to the meringue.
- Prepare the Piping Bag: To create a patriotic swirl, use a paintbrush or your finger to paint stripes of red and blue gel food coloring inside a piping bag fitted with a star or round tip. This technique allows the colors to streak through the meringue when piped.
- Fill the Piping Bag: Carefully spoon the meringue mixture into the prepared piping bag without disturbing the colored stripes.
- Pipe Meringue Kisses: Pipe approximately 1-inch dollops (kisses) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow even drying and prevent sticking.
- Bake the Meringues: Bake the meringues for 1 hour at 200°F (95°C). After baking, turn off the oven, but leave the meringues inside to dry out completely for another hour without opening the oven door, which helps prevent cracks and retains their crispness.
- Cool and Store: Once fully dried and cooled, transfer the meringue kisses to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days for best texture and freshness.
Notes
- Humidity can impact the texture of the meringues; choose a dry day to achieve the best results.
- Using gel food coloring is recommended to avoid adding extra moisture that could deflate the meringue.
- These meringue kisses are a light and visually festive treat ideal for patriotic holidays like the Fourth of July or Memorial Day.
