Elevate your dessert offerings with these Rainbow Sherbet Meringues, an enchanting treat that captures the essence of classic sherbet flavors in a light and airy form. These meringues are infused with the zest of orange and lime, along with raspberry extract, creating a colorful and tantalizing dessert experience perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 large egg whites
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ¼ tsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¼ tsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ tsp raspberry extract
- Orange, green, and pink food coloring
Directions
- Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Whip Meringues:
- In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites and salt until foamy, setting the stage for fluffy meringues.
- Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. This will stabilize the meringues, ensuring they hold their shape.
- Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form, which are crucial for the meringues to maintain their structure during baking.
- Flavor and Color:
- Divide the meringue evenly among three bowls. To the first, add lime zest and lime juice; to the second, add orange zest and orange juice; to the third, add raspberry extract, ensuring each flavor is well incorporated.
- Prepare a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Use a clean brush to paint stripes of green, orange, and pink food coloring inside the bag. This technique will create the beautiful sherbet colors in the meringues.
- Pipe and Bake:
- Carefully spoon each flavored meringue into one-third of the piping bag, keeping the colors separate.
- Pipe 1 ½-inch mounds onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Then, turn off the oven, crack the door open slightly, and leave the meringues in the oven for an additional 2 hours to dry out completely.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking and Cooling Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: Approximately 50 kcal per meringue.
Tips
- Egg Whites: Ensure that no yolks are mixed with the whites, as fat from the yolk can prevent the egg whites from achieving the desired volume.
- Adding Sugar: Add the sugar slowly to the egg whites to ensure it dissolves completely without deflating the mixture.
- Storage: Store the meringues in a dry place, as humidity can cause them to become sticky and lose their crispness.
These Rainbow Sherbet Meringues are not just a feast for the palate but also a visual treat, making them a perfect addition to any dessert table. Their crisp texture, combined with the fresh, zesty flavors of citrus and the sweetness of raspberry, makes them an irresistible treat for guests of all ages. Enjoy the process of creating these delightful meringues and the burst of colors and flavors they bring to your celebrations!