Patriotic Meringue Kisses (Printable)
Crisp red, white, and blue meringue kisses—light, airy, piped into petite, crunchy mounds for celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meringue Base
01 - 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Food Coloring
06 - Red gel food coloring
07 - Blue gel food coloring
# How To Cook:
01 - Set oven to 200°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a clean, grease-free mixing bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
03 - Gradually add granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed. Continue until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Beat in salt and vanilla extract until just combined.
05 - Fit a piping bag with a large star or round tip. Use a food-safe brush to paint one red stripe, one blue stripe, and one plain section for white inside the piping bag.
06 - Carefully spoon the meringue mixture into the prepared bag without disturbing the color stripes.
07 - Pipe small mound shapes, about 1 to 1.5 inches wide, onto parchment-lined sheets, spacing the kisses 1 inch apart.
08 - Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes until dry and crisp. Turn off oven and let meringues cool inside with the door closed for 1 hour.
09 - Gently remove meringues and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- They look stunning but require just a whisk, patience, and a few pantry staples—no fancy tricks.
- They stay light on your conscience and your prep time but always impress guests at any party.
02 -
- Any speck of grease will sabotage your peaks—double-check bowls and beaters for best results.
- Swirling the colors inside the piping bag (rather than the batter) keeps your lines distinct and prevents a purple mess.
03 -
- Always wipe your mixing bowl with a little vinegar before starting—it’s a tiny trick that makes big, fluffy meringue possible.
- If you want uniform kisses, draw circles on the underside of your parchment as a guide before piping.