Swirl Meringues

Marbled, indulgent meringue "kisses" will steal the attention of both adults and kids alike, packaged in little gift bags as sweet homemade treats. Works for any occasion and simultaneously fluffy, crisp and chewy. Also a clever way to involve kids in baking, or experimenting with colours.

Yield: Makes 12
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 91 mins
Difficulty Level: 3/5

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp cornflour
• Food colouring, pink and yellow

Steps

01. Preheat oven to slow, 150 C. Line two oven trays with baking paper.

02. In a large, clean bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating until sugar dissolves and mixture is stiff, thick and glossy. Beat in vanilla, vinegar and cornflour.

03. Divide meringue into two bowls. Sprinkle droplets of pink food colouring over mixture in one bowl. Repeat with yellow food colouring in remaining mixture.

04. Using a tablespoon, scoop out individual meringues onto trays, allowing room for spreading (food colouring will swirl through mixture as you scoop).

05. Bake 45 mins. Reduce oven to very slow, 120 C, and bake 40-45 mins. Cool in a turned-off oven, with the door ajar, to allow meringues to dry out completely.

TIP

For chocolate meringues, replace food colouring with 60g melted dark chocolate. Cool slightly and drizzle over meringue mixture before spooning out onto trays.

Photo: bauersyndication.com.au