Meringue Nests with Fresh Berries and Vanilla Cream
Category: Desserts
Serves/Pieces: 15
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Egg whites | 150g |
| Granulated sugar | 300g |
| Vanilla pod | 1 |
| Fresh liquid cream | 250ml |
| Icing sugar | To taste |
| Mixed berries | To taste |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Meringue:
To achieve the perfect meringue, itโs essential to use egg whites at room temperature. Start by splitting the vanilla pod and scraping out the seeds. Add the seeds to the granulated sugar and set aside. -
Whisk the Egg Whites:
Place the egg whites into the bowl of a mixer (or use a hand blender with a whisk attachment). Begin whisking until the egg whites start turning white and frothy. Once they begin to firm up, gradually add half of the sugar mixture and continue whisking for 5-10 minutes. Then, add the remaining sugar and keep whipping until the mixture has more than tripled in volume and forms stiff peaks. -
Shape the Meringue Nests:
Transfer the whipped meringue into a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and pipe small nests about 4-5 cm in diameter, creating spiral shapes with two or three concentric circles. -
Bake the Meringues:
Preheat your oven to a low heat, around 80-100ยฐC (175-210ยฐF). Place the tray in the oven and bake the meringue nests for approximately 3 hours, ensuring the oven door remains slightly ajar. To achieve this, wedge a wooden spoon between the oven door and the oven itself to allow for air circulation and prevent moisture from building up inside. -
Prepare the Whipped Cream:
While the meringue nests are baking, whip the fresh cream until it reaches soft peaks using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. Once done, add a dusting of icing sugar to sweeten the cream according to your preference. -
Assemble the Nests:
Once the meringues have cooled completely, carefully remove them from the parchment paper and place them onto a serving platter. Fill each meringue nest with a generous amount of freshly whipped cream, then top with a handful of mixed berries for a burst of color and flavor. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve your delicate meringue nests immediately, or refrigerate them until youโre ready to indulge in these sweet, crunchy, and creamy delights.
Pro Tip:
To elevate the flavor, you can infuse the whipped cream with a hint of vanilla extract or a touch of honey. These meringue nests make for an elegant dessert at any gathering or festive occasion!
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 30g |
Enjoy these beautifully crisp and light meringue nests filled with velvety vanilla cream and topped with fresh berriesโan irresistible combination of textures and flavors!
