Pastel Meringue Kisses: The Easiest (and Cutest) Easter Treat!

Calling all bakers, both novice and experienced! Spring is here, and with it comes the joy of Easter celebrations. This year, ditch the complicated desserts and whip up a batch of these adorable Pastel Meringue Kisses. They’re light, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, making them the perfect sweet treat for any Easter gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Simple and Easy: This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Completely Customizable: Feel free to get creative with the colors! Use any pastel shades you like to match your Easter décor or simply choose your favorites.
• Light and Refreshing: These meringue kisses are the perfect ending to a heavier Easter meal. They’re light, airy, and not overly sweet.
• Kid-Friendly: Get the little ones involved in the fun! Piping the meringue is a great way to keep them entertained, and they’ll love helping to decorate the finished product.

Ingredients:

• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Food coloring (optional)

Equipment:

• Mixing bowl
• Electric mixer with whisk attachment
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Piping bag (optional)
• Piping tip (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet

1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   

Whip the Egg Whites

2. In a clean, grease-free bowl, add the egg whites and cream of tartar. Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form.

Tips:

• Make sure your bowl and whisk are completely clean and free of any grease or oil, as this can prevent the egg whites from whipping properly.
• For best results, use egg whites that are at room temperature.

Gradually Add the Sugar

3. With the mixer on medium speed, gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until all the sugar has been incorporated.

Tips:

• Adding the sugar slowly is important to ensure that it dissolves completely and the meringue reaches the stiff peak stage.
• If the sugar is not fully dissolved, your meringue kisses will be grainy.

Beat Until Stiff Peaks Form

4. Increase the mixer speed to high and continue beating until the meringue reaches stiff peaks. This means that when you lift the whisk, the peaks will hold their shape and not droop.

Tips:

• It may take several minutes to reach stiff peaks, so be patient.
• You can test the meringue by rubbing a small amount between your thumb and forefinger. If it feels gritty, the sugar is not fully dissolved and you need to continue beating.

 Add Food Coloring (Optional)

5. If you want to make your meringue kisses pastel-colored, divide the meringue into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the food coloring into the meringue until evenly distributed.

Tips:

• Start with a small amount of food coloring and add more until you reach the desired shade.
• Gel food coloring will give you the most vibrant colors.

 Pipe or Spoon the Meringue

6. If you are using a piping bag, spoon the meringue into the bag fitted with a desired piping tip. Alternatively, you can simply spoon the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet. Create small dollops, leaving space between them for spreading.

Tips:

• If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a spoon to create small dollops of meringue.
• Make sure to leave space between the meringue kisses, as they will spread slightly while baking.