Chocolate Meringue Cookies Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

FAQs

What are the three rules for making a successful meringue? ›

Chewy meringues are the result of two possible situations, under-baking and humidity.

For smooth, stiff beaten egg whites that keep their shape, don't skip the cream of tartar. If you don't have cream of tartar, substituting 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar per egg white works almost as well. To avoid meringues that weep, don't skip the cream of tartar...

This may be the most common mistake, and the one that causes meringues to deflate. When you whip whites at a high speed, says Chef Michelle, "both large and small air bubbles form and the large ones burst‚ which causes flattening." For more tips, watch our how-to video on making meringue cookies.

Meringue rules: The final verdict

Abide — Avoid yolks; use a non-plastic bowl; add sugar slowly, and bake low and slow. Let slide — Don't pull your hair out if your eggs are cold, you don't have superfine sugar, or it's a humid day.

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.

Overmixing: Overmixing the egg whites can cause the proteins to break down, resulting in a denser, chewier texture rather than a light and airy consistency meringue.

To test if they're done, pick one up; it should feel very light. Tap the bottom; it should feel hollow. Break one open; it should be dry. Taste the broken one while it's still warm; it should melt in your mouth.

Chewiness. The chewiness of the meringues is created by cooking the meringues at a slightly higher temperature for a shorter time, thereby keeping some of the moisture inside. They will also go a slightly milky coffee colour.

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.

What does lemon juice do in meringue? ›

In simpler terms, sugar binds with water and holds it in place. It also adds viscosity to the liquid whites, making the bubbles more stable. Add an Acid: Adding an acid like lemon juice, cream of tartar, or even vinegar raises pH, helping to denature some of the egg protein.

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.

If you add the sugar too quickly then the mixture will never acquire the stiff consistency you want. You also need to be careful if you've used extra ingredients to flavour your meringues. Oils (such as those in nuts or zest) and liquids can stop the egg whites from stiffening, so you have to experiment with amounts.

If they're not eaten immediately, before the humidity can get to them, it's basically a disaster. Meringues are meant to be crispy, not squishy.

The Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar

For every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in the recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. As an example, if your cookie recipe calls for 1 teaspoon baking soda, add 2 teaspoons lemon juice instead of the cream of tartar.

There are three stages of meringue stiffness: soft, firm and stiff peaks. As you keep whipping your egg whites, the peaks will transition from soft to firm to stiff.

Meringue can be used in various desserts, including pies, cakes, and cookies, as a topping or an ingredient. There are three basic types of meringue: French, Swiss, and Italian. While they all use egg whites as the primary ingredient, each style has its unique preparation method that affects its texture and taste.

There are several types of meringue, with the three most common being French, Swiss and Italian. Each type varies based on preparation, texture and stability. Knowing the difference between the meringues will help you understand when to use each recipe in your baking.