Description of Meringue

Meringue is a type of dessert composed of fluffy beaten egg whites with sugar. It can be served in a variety of forms. All have a melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Types

Soft meringues are lightly baked over pies and other desserts. Hard meringues are small dollops baked until they are crisp and dry.

Ingredients

All meringues have a base of egg whites. Include between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of sugar per egg white. In hard meringues, other ingredients such as chocolate chips, extracts and other flavorings are often added.

Preparation

To make a meringue, whip egg whites until they form soft peaks. Then add sugar a spoonful at a time as you continue beating the egg whites, mixing until the sugar dissolves.

Baking

Soft meringues should be spooned over hot pie filling and then baked until golden brown. Hard meringues are baked at 200 degrees for two hours and left in a warm oven until they are dry.

Considerations

Because moisture ruins meringue, meringue should not be prepared in a humid environment and meringue pies should be stored at room temperature.

References

• Meringue Definition
• Egg White Meringue