Elegant Mini Meringue Nests

The good news is this delicious Mini Meringue Nests recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free. With some substitutions, they can also be vegan and dairy-free.

Whether enjoyed on their own or as part of a special dessert, Meringue Nests are sure to impress with their delicate texture and sweet flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create these delightful confectioneries for family, friends, parties, weddings, birthdays, or afternoon tea parties. Or, why not just make some for yourself?

Egg white use-up is one of the reasons why meringues are so popular, apart from being incredibly tasty with all that yummy fresh cream and strawberries. Hence, if you love this, then you’ll also love our Cherry Strawberry Pavlova.

What’s To Love?

💕 Mini Meringue Nests are quick and easy to prepare.
💕 There are no limits to meringue creativity.
💕 Meringues don’t require any complex cooking skills or hard-to-find ingredients.
💕 The outer shell of the meringue nests is light and crisp, providing a satisfying crunch with each bite.
💕 Inside, the meringue remains soft and slightly chewy, creating a delightful contrast in textures.
💕 Mini meringue nests look delicate and elegant, making them a perfect choice for special occasions or high-tea settings.
💕 Offer a deep, satisfying, crunchy creamy taste.
💕 Decorate how you wish by adding more ingredients or using less.

Have you already tried the Mini Meringue Nests? If so, let us know how they were…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Egg Whites — use large eggs.
• Sugar — use golden caster sugar or white sugar depending on the color you want your meringues.
• White Wine Vinegar — use white wine vinegar to strengthen the egg white, make it more stable, and produce a marshmallowy center.
• Vanilla Extract — use Nielsen Massey, which is made with real vanilla beans and alcohol. The vanilla is quite potent and adds a beautiful richness to desserts.
• Cornflour — stabilizes egg whites during baking and prevents weeping by stopping the egg white bonds from tightening too much.
• Cream — store-bought double cream (heavy cream).
• Fruit — strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all delicious to pair with meringues.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

If you have made any particular wonderful topping, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Fresh Strawberries — use raspberries as an alternative to strawberries.
• Cream — for an extra buzz whip up our Boozy Whipped Cream for an extra treat. Use dairy-free cream as an alternative.

Can you make Mini Meringue Nests vegan? — you can make a vegan version by using dairy-free whipped cream and vegan meringues. Several plant-based whipped cream and meringue alternatives are available in stores, or you can make your own using aquafaba (chickpea brine) for the meringue component.

When substituting ingredients, it’s essential to remember that the taste, texture, and overall result of the Mini Meringue Nests might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Best Sugar For Meringues

Never underestimate the power of sugar and how desserts can turn out so differently if the wrong one is used. Here are our recommendations for the meringues:

▶︎ Granulated Sugar: The most common type of sugar used in Pavlova recipes is regular granulated sugar, which dissolves easily when whipped with egg whites. This helps create a stable meringue with a smooth texture.

▶︎ Superfine Sugar (Caster Sugar): This sugar has smaller granules than regular granulated sugar. This means that it dissolves more quickly in any recipe. Using caster sugar can result in a smoother meringue and reduce the risk of graininess in the finished Pavlova. If you can’t find caster sugar, you can easily make your own by pulsing granulated sugar in a food processor until it becomes finely ground.

▶︎ Confectioners’ Sugar (Powdered Sugar): Contains excessive amounts of cornstarch, which can affect the meringue’s texture and appearance.

▶︎ Brown Sugar: While not commonly used in traditional Pavlova recipes, brown sugar can add a subtle caramel flavor and a slightly chewy texture to the meringue. Keep in mind that brown sugar may affect the color of the Pavlova, giving it a slightly darker hue.

Ultimately, the choice of sugar depends on personal preference and the desired outcome of the meringues.

Stabilizing Egg Whites

White vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice are common acidic ingredients used in meringue to help stabilize the egg whites and create a fluffy, stable meringue. Each of these ingredients serves a similar purpose, so you can choose based on what you have available in your cupboard or your personal preference. Here’s a breakdown of each option:

▶︎ White Wine Vinegar is a mild and clear-tasting vinegar commonly found in most kitchens. When used in making meringue, it helps stabilize the egg whites by denaturing the proteins, resulting in a stronger and more resilient meringue. Additionally, it helps prevent the sugar from crystallizing and adds a slightly tangy flavor to the Pavlova. White vinegar is our go-to because we feel it produces better results.

▶︎ Cream Of Tartar is a dry, powdered acid frequently used as a leavening agent in baking. Its primary function is to stabilize egg whites and increase their volume when whipped. It has a neutral flavor and can be easily incorporated into egg whites.

▶︎ Fresh lemon juice contains natural citric acid, which adds a subtle citrus flavor to the Pavlova, which can complement the sweetness of the meringue and toppings.

In general, you can use any of these acidic ingredients interchangeably in your meringue recipe. Remember that while they help stabilize the meringue, adding too much can affect the flavor, so it’s best to use them sparingly.

Choosing The Right Eggs

Choosing the right eggs is crucial for making perfect meringues. We’re privileged to use freshly laid eggs; that’s why when you watch the video, the eggshells are slightly stained even though they’ve been washed. Here are some tips on selecting the right eggs:

▶︎ Freshness: Fresh eggs are essential for Pavlova. When selecting eggs, check the expiration date on the carton. You can also perform the freshness test by placing an egg in a bowl of water; fresh eggs will sink and lie flat on the bottom, while older eggs will stand on one end or float.

▶︎ Size: Most Pavlova recipes call for large eggs. Using the right size ensures the correct ratio of egg whites to sugar, resulting in the desired texture and consistency.

▶︎ Quality: Choose high-quality eggs from reputable sources. Organic, free-range, or pasture-raised eggs are often preferred for their superior flavor and nutritional quality. These eggs tend to have stronger egg whites, which are crucial for achieving stiff peaks when whipped.

▶︎ Cleanliness: Inspect the eggs before purchasing to ensure they are clean and free from cracks or blemishes. To maintain the integrity of the egg whites, avoid any eggs with visible dirt or damage.

▶︎ Temperature: For best results, use eggs at room temperature. Cold eggs take longer to whip and may not achieve the desired volume or stiffness. Let the eggs sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using them in your Pavlova recipe.

By following these guidelines, you can choose the right eggs to create a light, airy, and delicious meringue dessert.

Using Up Egg Yolks

Meringues are a delicious way to use up egg whites after cooking a dessert that requires a few egg yolks. Here are some delicious egg yolk-based desserts: Crème Caramel, Classic Crème Brûlée; and Perfect Thick Custard.

To use up the egg yolks, add one yolk to a whole egg to make scrambled eggs or double-yolked poached eggs. Then, put the yolks, with another whole egg, in a plastic box in the fridge to keep for a day or two until you need them for something else.

Egg yolks don’t freeze well, so we’re always glad to add them to our huskies’ dinners; they love them, and of course, they provide a lot of nutrients!

Instructions – Overview

Mini Meringue Nests are easy to make and are even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

▶︎ The process of making meringue nests begins with whisking egg whites until they form stiff peaks, a critical step that ensures the meringue maintains its structure during baking. Gradually incorporating caster sugar into the egg whites creates a glossy, stable mixture that holds its shape when piped or spooned onto a baking tray.

▶︎ To enhance the texture and stability of the meringue, a touch of cornflour (cornstarch) and white vinegar is added. The cornflour helps create a crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and chewy, while the vinegar helps stabilize the meringue and prevent it from collapsing. Vanilla extract can also be added to add a touch of vanilla flavoring.

▶︎ Once piped into nests on a parchment-lined baking tray, the meringue is gently baked at a low temperature, allowing it to dry out slowly without browning. The result is a delicate shell that cracks with a satisfying crunch, revealing a tender, marshmallow-like center.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Mini Meringue Nests? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• kMix – or this award-winning hand mixer.
• Mixing Bowl – if you’re using a hand mixer, you will need bowls to combine the ingredients.
• Chopping Board – to hull and chop the strawberries.
• Baking Trays – used for cooking the meringues.
• Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
• Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.
• Parchment Paper– to line the baking tray to prevent sticking.

If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then might love this Kmix for mixing, whisking, creaming, and beating. Sometimes, the Kmix is a better tool than a hand mixer; it’s good at lightening the load. It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think it’s a great asset for all kitchens.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Mini Meringue Nests are frequently eaten as a standalone dessert, but they can be paired. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with them:

▶︎ Top the Mini Meringue Nests with fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. Their tartness contrasts beautifully with the sweet, airy texture of the meringues.

▶︎ A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a creamy richness to meringues. You can also flavor the cream with vanilla extract or a splash of liqueur for an extra dimension of taste. For an extra special occasion, try our Boozy Whipped Cream.

▶︎ Extra-thick cold custard with whipped cream of a similar thickness adds a lovely indulgence. It’s best to make your own because store-bought custard is generally very thin. Try our Perfect Thick Custard.

▶︎ Tangy lemon curd pairs wonderfully with meringues, creating a delightful sweet-and-sour contrast. Drizzle a spoonful over the meringues for a burst of citrusy flavor. Try our easy-to-make Zesty Lemon Curd.

▶︎ Crush the meringues and combine them with your favorite ice cream. Try our egg-free Vanilla Ice Cream.

▶︎ Drizzle your favorite sauces over the top. We love Nutella, caramel sauce, fruit compote, chocolate ganache, and many more.

▶︎ Don’t know what to have for dinner with it? A delicious curry such as this light Chicken Laksa Soup or a this aromatic Moroccan Style Lamb Tagine would pair beautifully.

More Recipes

Here are some other creamy-rich recipes that we think you might also like:

⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Mini Meringue Nests every time.

Your Questions Matter

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.

For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.

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