The iconic confection with the delicate crunch, meringue is much more than a decorative sweet. With an array of flavors—including our takes on classic pavlova, lemon meringue, and yes, even ice cream—these recipes prove that meringue can elevate just about any dessert to the divine. If you like it, then you should put meringue in it.
Whipped heavy cream is a frequent addition to pound cakes because it adds the same amount of fat as butter but with additional moisture to produce a particularly smooth, tender cake. In this recipe by Ben Mims, the technique is a boon to these small, tangy versions, made with lemon zest in the batter and su used with a tart lemon syrup. The meringue on top is piped with three different-size star tips to mimic the top of a bouquet of flowers, then torched until cooked through and caramelized. If you’re a fan of lemon meringue pie but have always wanted it with just a thick crust and meringue, then this cake will be your dream come true. Find more recipes for pound cakes by Ben in our May/June 2018 Issue, here!
Vanilla bean brings warmth to the traditional meringue in this Pavlova topped with Buttermilk Whipped Cream and Raspberry Coulis and toasted pine nuts for another layer of delicate crunch. Read more about the rich history of this dessert, here.
There’s no reinventing the lemon meringue pie, so why not reimagine it—as a Lemon Meringue Nest? Taking flavor cues from its classic inspiration, this recipe puts delicate, crunchy meringue in the spotlight with a sweet-tart lemon curd centerpiece.
4. Meringue Nests with Berries
These meringue nests are both crispy and slightly chewy at the same time. They are the perfect vessel for ripe berries and take very little effort.
With alternating layers of meringue and buttercream, this raspberry-laden showstopper looks like a work of art, but can be easily accomplished with nothing fancier than a pastry bag. If you don’t have a pastry bag, you can use a lastic storage bag with one of the corners snipped off instead.
This recipe makes dozens of perfect, crunchy Meringue Cookies. Styled and piped through a star icing tip, these little cookies are the white jewels of any dessert spread.
