These adorable meringue kisses make fantastic gifts. Alternatively, they look great on the coffee table over the festive period

Over a year ago now, I went to a meringue kisses masterclass with the Meringue Girls in East London (which I reviewed here). The evening was fantastic and we experimented with lots of different colours and flavours like maple & pecan not to mention zesty lemon and lime. Since the class I’ve made meringue kisses a few times, but none as cute or adorable as these Christmas Elf Kisses!

This recipe is so incredibly simple that you can easily make them with children. If you follow just a few key principles you’ll have perfect meringue kisses every time.

The key to fool-proof meringue kisses

Keep it clean

Before you start making your meringue kisses, make sure that all of your equipment is clean and dry. Of course we all wash up our bowls and whisks before we use them but its essential that there is no grease or oil on any of your equipment otherwise this will stop the meringues forming stiff peaks!

Just double it

Whilst most recipes will call for exact amounts (for example my recipe says 150g egg whites), don’t panic if yours come to 175g. There’s no way you’re going to be able to remove 25g of egg whites from your bowl and you don’t need to. To make meringues you simply need double the amount of sugar to egg whites so if you have 175g egg whites then use 350g sugar instead. Follow this rule and it will work every time.

Don’t add liquids

When it comes to flavouring or colouring your meringues, never use liquid flavours or food colours. This will affect the consistency of the meringue. Only add powdered flavours like freeze dried raspberries or cocoa powder. The same applies for colouring. Follow the paintbrush technique with concentrated food colouring and I promise you they won’t go wrong!

With those 3 key pieces of advice follow the basic recipe below and you’ll be well on your way to having plenty of Christmas Elf Meringue Kisses for the festive season. 

The Recipe

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Christmas Elf Meringue Kisses

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Yield: 60 kisses

Ingredients

• 300g caster sugar
• 150g egg whites (roughly 5 medium eggs)
• Red food colouring
• Green food colouring
• 2 icing bags
• Edible silver balls (optional)

Instructions

1. Place the caster sugar into an oven dish and place into a hot oven (220C/200C) for roughly 5 minutes until the sugar is hot but not yet melted.
2. Take the sugar out of the oven and immediately begin whisking the egg whites in a large bowl.
3. Once the egg whites have formed stiff peaks, turn the whisk speed to maximum and begin adding the warm sugar one spoon at a time.
4. Make sure that the egg whites are forming stiff peaks again before adding in the next spoon full.
5. Once all of the sugar has been added to the mixture, whisk on high for another 5 minutes to ensure the egg whites are thick, firm and glossy.
6. Next, take the two icing bags and paint red and green stripes in each with the food colouring.
7. Fill the piping bags with the meringue and cut a large opening at the bottom of each bag.
8. Pipe a small amount of meringue on to a large baking tray and then line the tray with grease proof paper (the little bit of meringue in each corner will help it stick).
9. Begin piping the meringue kisses in the top left hand corner.
10. Hold the piping bag upright, squeeze gently and lift away as you stop applying pressure.
11. Repeat over and over again until the whole baking sheet is covered and all the meringue used up.
12. Cook the meringues in the centre of the oven for 30-45 minutes at 100C/80C or until the meringue kisses come off of the baking paper without leaving their bottoms behind.
13. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Notes

These will keep in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks (if you can resist them!)

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With crisp shells and soft marshmallowy centres, kids and grown-ups alike will love these festive meringue kisses. Why not try adding some of your favourite festive flavours (how about cinnamon, peppermint or chocolate?), sprinkling with nuts or using different colours?

Some of these kisses are destined for a Christmas Bake Sale, the others will find their way into a festive “Eton Mess” style dessert (watch this space). What will you do with your Christmas Elf Meringue Kisses? I’d love to see your creations!

I’m entering these Christmas Elf Meringue Kisses into Festive Food Friday hosted by Kerry Cooks and Taming Twins. Click the image below to find more festive inspiration.

at TamingTwins and KerryCooks