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Tricolor Meringues

17/11/2023

Tricolor meringues can be a fun and delicious way to add a splash of color to a dessert or a sweet table. Here is the recipe, which I have adapted to create the tricolor version, inspired by the colors of the Italian flag.

Ingredients

  • 4 room temperature egg whites
  • 250 grams of powdered sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • A few drops of lemon juice
  • Food coloring (red and green)
  • Granulated sugar, optional for decoration

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 90 °C and prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  2. In a clean and dry bowl, whisk the egg whites to firm peaks with a pinch of salt and a few drops of lemon juice, which will help stabilize the meringue.
  3. When the egg whites start to become frothy, add the powdered sugar a little at a time, continuing to beat until a smooth and glossy meringue is obtained.
  4. Divide the meringue into three equal bowls.
  5. In one bowl, add a few drops of red food coloring; in another, a few drops of green coloring, and leave the third part white.
  6. Gently mix to achieve even colors, being careful not to deflate the meringue.
  7. Prepare a piping bag with a star tip and fill separately with the three colored meringues.
  8. Pipe small meringues onto the prepared tray alternating the colors to create the tricolor effect. Keep the meringues a few centimeters apart from each other, as they will puff up slightly during baking.
  9. If desired, lightly sprinkle with granulated sugar.
  10. Bake the meringues for about 1-1.5 hours, or until they are dry to the touch and easily peel off the paper.
  11. Dry the meringues in the turned-off oven with the door slightly ajar for at least one hour to help them firm up further.
  12. Remove the meringues from the oven and allow them to cool completely before handling.

Remember that meringue is sensitive to humidity, so store them in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Trivia

Meringues are presumed to have Swiss origins, from the village of Meiringen, and were later popularized in France. Their texture can vary from crispy to soft and chewy, depending on the baking and temperature. Tricolor meringues are a festive variant to celebrate special occasions, such as the Italian Republic Day or sporting events where you want to show national pride.