Meringue Snowflakes

By LynnWelch

These darling edible decorations are delicious on their own, but can easily be used to dress up any dessert table, festive cake, or other wintry treats.

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs, separated
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) cream of tartar
• Salt
• 3/4 cup(s) superfine sugar
• Dragées, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Place egg whites in a medium bowl and let stand for 30 minutes; discard yolks.

Add cream of tartar and a pinch of salt. Using an electric mixer set on medium, beat until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high and add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar is nearly dissolved.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Meanwhile, pour meringue mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large (3/8-inch) star-shaped tip. Using the photo as a guide, pipe 3-inch-diameter snowflake shapes onto two parchment-lined baking sheets. Decorate the tops with dragées, if desired. Bake for 10 minutes, then turn off oven. Let meringues dry in oven, with door closed, for 1 hour.

Carefully peel meringues from parchment and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.