It’s February! The weather may not be getting any warmer, but Valentine’s Day is a day for L – O – V – E, and that means that it’s time to warm the heart of someone special. To that end, it’s also time to whip up a deliciously decadent batch of heart-shaped meringues that you can share with your better half. You can also share them with yourself. However you would love to choose!
Heart-Shaped Meringues
Light and tasty cookies that will melt in your mouth. Makes about 6 servings.
Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
- ½ tsp white vinegar
- Dash of salt
- ½ tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar
- Pink food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 225°. Line two baking sheets with parchment.
- In a large bowl, beat egg whites, vinegar, and salt until the mixture is foamy and doubled in size. Mix in almond and vanilla extracts.
- Add sugar into the mix one tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until the sugar dissolves. Keep beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Transfer the mixture into a pastry bag with an open star tip. Pipe hearts onto the prepared baking sheets, keeping each heart about one inch apart.
- Bake 1 hour. Turn off the oven (do not open the door) and let the meringues rest in the oven for another hour. Remove and cool completely before serving.
Rebecca Anderson is a culinary enthusiast for Oswego East High School’s online news magazine the Howl