Meringue Snowflakes

By yollymg

Ingredients

• 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup confectioner's sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon flavored extract, such as lemon, peppermint, orange, or almond
• 2 tablespoons colored sugar or edible glitter

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from familyfun.go.com

Preparation

Step 1

Presented in decorative tins, these sparkly meringues are satisfying both to make and to give. And you don't have to stick to the snowflake design; the meringue can be piped into snowmen, wreaths, Christmas trees, or just about any shape you like.

Tip: For the best results, avoid making them on a humid day.

Heat the oven to 200º. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy, about 3 minutes. Set the mixer speed to high and beat another 3 minutes or so until the eggs whites are fluffy.

Add the confectioner's sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until the egg whites are stiff and glossy, about 5 minutes. Then beat in the extract.

Using scissors, cut the paper between the meringues to separate them. Then gently peel away the paper from each one, keeping one hand under the snowflake to support the edges. The meringues will stay crisp for up to 2 weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature (do not refrigerate them).

Makes about 20.