It’s almost the holiday season, and we’re keen to start preparing recipes for all things fun and festive! These Meringue Snowmen will brighten up any table this Christmas. It’s taking a classic meringue and turning it on its head—or rather into snowmen!
To make it you only need two ingredients: egg whites and sugar. Of course, not counting the decorative sprinkles, because you can use basically anything edible to create these cute funny faces—customize them as you want. Make green Christmas trees, red Santa hats, and snowmen of all shapes and sizes. Kids and adults alike will love this quirky, festive sweet treat.
For extra flavor, you can add vanilla or mint extract to the egg whites before beating.
The egg whites will increase about 8 times in volume, so make sure you start with a big enough bowl.
It’s absolutely essential to wipe the bowl clean before you start beating the egg whites. If there is any fat residue (like oil or even a bit of yolk), the egg whites won’t whip properly.
Unlike cake, you won’t get a dark intense color with meringues. Don’t be tempted to add too much food coloring—it might intensify the colors, but it will give it an unappealing taste.
Make sure to use the freshest eggs possible. This will ensure perfectly whipped egg whites. Don’t use cold eggs, allow them to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before using.
Add cream of tartar—it stabilizes the egg whites to create a stable meringue. Use 1/8 tsp per egg white, and if you don’t have cream of tartar, you can use lemon juice (1/2 tsp per egg white).
Add a pinch of salt to improve the flavor.
Finally, don’t work on a humid day. Meringue tends to get sticky when there is too much moisture in the air!
Store the meringue snowmen at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Just make sure to add layers of parchment paper between the cookies so they don’t stick to each other.
Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature possible. Run the lemon or lime wedges on the bottom and the sides of a large bowl to remove any fat. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature possible. Run the lemon or lime wedges on the bottom and the sides of a large bowl to remove any fat. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
Boil sugar and water to 115°C/240°F.
Boil sugar and water to 115°C/240°F.
Start pouring the sugar syrup into egg whites while working the mixture at the highest speed.
Start pouring the sugar syrup into egg whites while working the mixture at the highest speed.
Continue working with the mixture until desired stiffness.
Continue working with the mixture until desired stiffness.
Dye half of egg whites with green food coloring.
Dye half of egg whites with green food coloring.
Pipe green food coloring using a star nozzle and form Christmas trees.
Pipe green food coloring using a star nozzle and form Christmas trees.
Decorate with some sprinkles.
Decorate with some sprinkles.
Use white meringue to pipe out snowmen.
Use white meringue to pipe out snowmen.
Dry the meringue out in the oven for 6-8 hours or until fully dry. Decorate snowman with food coloring pens.
Dry the meringue out in the oven for 6-8 hours or until fully dry. Decorate snowman with food coloring pens.
If you don’t have a piping bag, scoop the meringue into a large plastic bag and snip off a small corner.