Patriotic Meringue Kisses (Print View)
Crisp, airy red, white, and blue meringue kisses—piped tri-color bites perfect for patriotic celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meringue Base
01 - 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Food Coloring
06 - Red gel food coloring
07 - Blue gel food coloring
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 200°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Combine egg whites and cream of tartar in a grease-free mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.
03 - Gradually add granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about five to seven minutes.
04 - Add salt and vanilla extract. Beat until just combined.
05 - Fit a piping bag with a large star or round tip. Using a food-safe brush, paint one red stripe, one blue stripe, and leave one plain inside the bag for a red, white, and blue effect.
06 - Carefully spoon the meringue mixture into the prepared piping bag, taking care not to disturb the colored stripes.
07 - Pipe 1 to 1.5-inch wide kiss shapes onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
08 - Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes until dry and crisp. Turn off the oven and let meringues cool inside with the door closed for 1 hour.
09 - Once cooled, gently peel the meringues off the parchment and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Swirling food coloring into meringue makes dessert feel like play, and nobody will guess how simple the trick is.
- These light, crisp kisses are always the first thing to vanish from the dessert table, especially when you want to impress without turning on the oven for hours.
02 -
- If there's any trace of yolk or grease in your mixing bowl, your meringue will never whip up properly—I learned this after a few sad, soupy attempts.
- Letting the meringues cool inside the oven with the door closed prevents cracks and keeps them shatteringly crisp.
03 -
- Wipe your whisk and mixing bowl with vinegar to remove every trace of fat before starting.
- If you want extra-tall kisses, hold the piping bag completely vertical and give a little extra lift at the end of each squeeze.