• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Glutenless Maximus
  • Recipe Index
  • Food Science
  • Shop
  • About Me
  • Work with me
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Food Science
  • Shop
  • About Me
  • Work with me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cookies + Bars

    Easy Basic Meringue Recipe

    May 5, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    Sharing is caring!

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Meringues, those sweet little clouds of deliciousness, are a classic dessert that's been around for ages. But, if you've never tried making them at home, you're in for a real treat! Don't worry - this basic meringue recipe for Mini Meringues with Orange Preserves and Chocolate Drizzle is easier than pie, and will make you the talk of the town (or at least your family). So, let's get whisking!

    decorated-meringue-masterpieces

    Looking for more delicious gluten-free treats? Check out some of my other recipes:

    • Easy No-Knead Gluten-Free Bread
    • Chocolate Covered Pineapple
    • The Best Gluten-Free Pear Crumble
    • How to Make the Best Oven-Dried Orange Slices
    • Top Gluten-Free Cereal Brands for Breakfast
    mini-meringues-fresh-from-oven

    The Basic Meringue Recipe: Light as Air and Twice as Tasty

    Let's start with the basic meringue recipe that'll have you whipping up these delightful treats in no time. Here's what you'll need for the meringue:

    Ingredients

    • 3 egg whites
    • 1 tablespoon corn starch
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Step by Step: Making Your Meringue Magic

    1. Preheat the oven to 225°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This'll make sure your meringues don't stick, and clean-up's a breeze!
    2. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites using an electric mixer until frothy, which should take about 1 minute. Make sure you don't have any yolk in there - we're going for pure, unadulterated fluffiness.
    3. Gradually add the sugar to the egg whites, mixing until stiff peaks form. This'll take around 10 minutes, so be patient - it's worth it!
    4. Use a spatula to hand fold in the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Be gentle, you don't want to deflate that gorgeous meringue.
    5. Add the cornstarch and fold it in until well mixed. This'll help stabilize your meringue and keep it from weeping (no one wants a sad meringue!).

    Piping and Baking: Bringing Your Meringue to Life

    1. Fill a piping bag fitted with a tip of your choice with the meringue. You can get creative here - choose a tip that matches your desired look for the meringue nests.
    2. Pipe the meringue into nest shapes on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't fret if your first few nests are a bit wonky.
    3. Pop those babies in the oven and bake for 75 minutes. Then, turn the oven off and leave the meringues in the oven for at least another hour. You can even leave them overnight in the turned-off oven to ensure they're crisp and dry.
    piping-meringue-nests-in-action

    Jazzing it Up: Orange Preserves and Chocolate Drizzle

    Now that you've mastered the basic meringue recipe, it's time to add a little pizzazz with some delicious toppings. For this, you'll need:

    • 3.5 ounces dark chocolate, melted
    • ½ cup orange preserves
    • Optional: orange zest for garnish

    Simply top each meringue nest with a dollop of orange preserves and a generous drizzle of dark chocolate. If you're feeling extra fancy, you can even add a sprinkle of orange zest on top for an extra burst of citrus flavor.

    orange-preserves-and-chocolate-drizzle

    FAQs

    Can I use other types of preserves or toppings?

    Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite fruit preserves, jams, or even curds. You can also play around with different chocolate varieties or drizzles like caramel or white chocolate. The sky's the limit!

    How do I store these mini meringues?

    Meringues are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep them away from moisture and humidity to prevent them from becoming sticky or soggy.

    Can I make these meringues ahead of time?

    Yes, you can! Meringues can be made up to three days in advance. Just store them as mentioned above, and add the toppings right before serving for the best taste and texture.

    Are meringues gluten-free?

    This basic meringue recipe is indeed gluten-free, as it doesn't contain any wheat or gluten-containing ingredients. Just make sure to check the labels of any additional toppings you use to ensure they're gluten-free as well.

    fluffy-meringue-nests-on-parchment

    Basic Meringue Recipe

    Try this basic meringue recipe for Mini Meringues with Orange Preserves and Chocolate Drizzle - a sweet, airy delight that will have your taste buds soaring!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 meringues
    Calories 158 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    The Meringue:

    • 3 egg whites
    • 1 tablespoon corn starch
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Toppings:

    • 3.5 ounces dark chocolate melted
    • ½ cup orange preserves

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 225 degrees and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl using an electric mixer until frothy, about 1 minute.
    • Gradually add the sugar until stiff peaks form, about 10 minutes.
    • Use a spatula to hand fold in the vanilla extract and lemon juice.
    • Then, add the cornstarch and fold in until well mixed.
    • Fill a piping bag fitted with a tip of your choice with the meringue.
    • Pipe the meringue into nest shapes on the parchment-lined baking sheets.
    • Bake in the oven for 75 minutes. Then, turn the oven off and leave the meringues in the oven for at least another hour (you can even leave them overnight in the turned off oven).
    • Top meringues with a dollop of orange preserves and a drizzle of dark chocolate. Can optionally top with orange zest, too.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1meringueCalories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 0.4mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chewy meringue cookies, chocolate mini meringues, orange meringues
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Cookies + Bars

    • Ingredients-for-Gluten-Free-Peppermint-Thin-Mints
      Delicious Gluten-Free Peppermint Thin Mints
    • Mixing-dough-for-Gluten-Free-Gumdrop-Cookie-Bars-in-mixer
      Delicious Gumdrop Cookie Bars (Gluten-Free)
    • peppermint-brownies
      Gluten-Free Buckwheat Brownies
    • gluten-free-banana-cookie
      Gluten Free Banana Split Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Newsletter Sign Up

    No Bake

    • raspberry-chocolate-cup
      Decadent Raspberry Chocolate Cups
    • crispy-maple-cinnamon-granola
      Gluten Free Maple Cinnamon Granola
    • delightful-chocolate-cup-desserts
      Cookie Dough Homemade Chocolate Cups
    • dark-chocolate-for-kefir
      Mint Chocolate Kefir

    Under 30 Minutes

    • whipped-cream-salad
      Easy Gluten-Free Whipped Cream Fruit Salad Recipe
    • greek-yogurt-pops
      Frozen Yogurt Pops with Chocolate
    • chocolate-coated-cherries-on-tray
      Greek Yogurt Stuffed Cherries Recipe
    • delicious-chocolate-dipped-apricots
      Peanut Butter Stuffed Apricots

    Fruit

    • single-serve-apple-cake
      Traditional Gluten-Free Apple Cake
    • roasted-apples-fresh-from-oven
      Roasted Apples with Cinnamon
    • serving-homemade-fruit-on-the-bottom-yogurts
      Peach Homemade Fruit on the Bottom Yogurts
    • dark-chocolate-bananas
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites

    Hi there!

    You can usually find me in the kitchen whipping up new recipes. They’re always gluten free, and I’m always making a mess of my kitchen. I’m so delighted I get a chance to share my recipes with you and hope you’ll follow along with me.

    I love hearing your feedback so please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, requests, or feedback. Cheers!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Portfolio
    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate. I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme