Continuing with the meringue theme, here is another easy and tasty recipe that is just perfect for festive entertaining. This impressive dessert can be made ahead and assembled just before serving. It is light, flourless, and wonderful when served after a heavy meal.
I love the combination of the sweet meringue and the tartness of the lemon curd. If you’re not into making the lemon curd, you can use good quality store bought, or use flavored whipped cream instead. Serve with fresh berries, or any other fresh fruits, and enjoy.
Notes:
* If this is the first time you’re preparing meringue, check last week’s recipe for a more detailed explanation about preparing it.
* For lemon curd recipe, click HERE. For Meyer lemon curd recipe, click HERE.
Meringue Nests
Makes: 12
Prep time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 2 hours
Resting time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
1 cup fine sugar
1 Tbs cornstarch
4 XL fresh egg whites, at room temperature
½ tsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla (preferable vanilla paste)
¼ tsp salt
1. Preheat the oven to 200F (93C). Line two cookie sheets with baking paper. 2. In a small bowl, mix the sugar with the cornstarch.
3. Separate the eggs carefully and place the egg whites in a mixer bowl, fitted with the whipping hook. Add the vinegar and start whipping on medium-low speed.
4. When large bubbles start to form, increase the mixer speed to medium and start adding the sugar slowly. Increase the speed to medium-high and continue whipping until a firm and shiny meringue is formed. In the last stage of whipping, add the vanilla and salt. Fill a pastry bag, fitted with a star tip, with the meringue.
5. Lower the oven temperature to 190F (88C). Pipe 12 4” (10cm) discs on the paper, and then, create “nests” by piping one or two ring layers around the edges. Use any leftover meringue to pipe smaller discs that can be used as a cover, or prepare “kisses” as shown in THIS recipe. Bake for 2 hours. Turn off the heat and keep in the oven for 2 hours.
6. Keep the prepared nests and discs at room temperature in a dry area, for up to 3 days.
7. Fill each nest with 1-2 Tbs lemon curd just before serving. Add a disc to top (optional), berries or any other fresh fruits.
Oh WOW!! I absolutely love this. It just brightened my day, it looks like sunshine and I just love lemon curd and have been wanting to make something with meringue lately. Just beautiful.
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I’m so glad to hear Suzanne!
I love the combination and will definitely make this dessert again soon. I hope you’ll try and enjoy the results. I’ll be happy to hear your comments. 🙂
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Yes I will lemon meringue pie or tart is one my all time favorite desserts and love there is no pie crust here, elegant and light it’s perfect
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Same here – any citrus dessert is always preferred. The good thing about this one is that it also works if you have GF guests, which is not uncommon these days… 🙂
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Had one the other day. Seems many opt for GF foods these days. That is such a lovely dessert.
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Yes… and not necessarily by people who have celiac. Somehow gluten is the new enemy…
I also recommend this dessert for GF dessert:
https://ronitpenso.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/yogurt-dried-apricots-and-pistachios-squares/
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I am sure they are equally delicious like the previous heavenly drops 🙂
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Thank you Nandin.! They really are – and the combination with the lemon curd makes them even tastier! 🙂
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Oh my Chef Ronit I do loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee citrus (as you know) lemon a fav. Wonderful dessert! Cheryl
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Thank you Cheryl – I do toooooooo (as you know!) 🙂
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Yes, have a good weekend!
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They are super pretty. Must try your recipe. l only tried to make meringues once, but they cracked for some reason, so l gave up, but your recipe seems to be very easy to follow. 🙂
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Thank you Daniela! 🙂
I’m glad you find the recipe easy to follow and I hope you’ll enjoy the results.
By the way, meringues tend to crack due to too high baking temperature, so it’s important to know your oven – maybe set it a bit less than the recommended temperature in the directions, if needed.
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lovely recipe and fantastic pics 🙂
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Thank you Heenie! 🙂
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I can almost taste the lemon curd! so yum!
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Thank you Freda. It is very tasty indeed, even on it’s own, with some fresh fruits. 🙂
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These look delightful. And so versatile – add a little food coloring gel to reflect the season or pipe into “heart” shapes for Valentine’s Day – love it!
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Thank you Rosemarie, I’m glad you liked the idea. It is indeed versatile and a base for so many flavors and shapes. More will follow, eventually… 🙂
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So beautiful and delicious!
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Thank you Lynn! It’s one of my favorite desserts.:)
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Gorgeous 🙂
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I love the nests! But I really love the hats!!!
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Thank you Mimi. I’m glad to hear!
It’s nice to place the “hats” over the lemon curd and let the guests uncover it for an element of surprise. 🙂
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very cool!!!
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Love them Ronit…..very elegant looking 😊
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Thank you Marisa! So nice to hear. 🙂
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Looking too good 🙂 🙂
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These look great! WOW!
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Thank you Carol! 🙂
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These are perfect Ronit and they sound so delicious! 🙂
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Thank you Linda! They are – and also quite light, compared to most desserts. 🙂
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How pretty with the lemon curd. I like this idea a lot versus just meringue – puts this recipe over the top 🙂
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Thank you Judi! I’m glad you liked the idea. 🙂
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I love to serve desserts that surprise my guests. These nests with their hats would definitely do that. Talk about “Wow Factor”! Your lemon curd looks so rich in its nest. Very nicely done, Ronit.
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Thank you John! It is a fun dessert and very versatile. The lemon curd turned out even better with the Meyer lemon. I was very pleased with it. 🙂
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We are just now beginning to see Meyer lemons in the stores. I’ve used them to make preserved lemons in the past. I think this year a bit of lemon curd is in order. Thanks for the inspiration, Ronit.
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My pleasure, John. 🙂
By the way, I saw your “burned” post and had a laugh!
I agree about the new editor! So far I’ve been able to use the older version by clicking on “My Site” and then “blog posts”/Add new. I do hope they will keep this option available…
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I’ve always been really apprehensive towards meringue but this recipe looks too good to pass up.
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Thank you Melisa. I’m really glad to know you’ve found the recipe helpful. I hope you’ll make it and enjoy the results. I’ll be happy to hear your comments. 🙂
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Wow! That looks great!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Welcome!
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Oh, these are adorable! And its really helpful with the step-by-step instructions! 🙂
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Thank you I’m glad to hear! 🙂
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Wow, thanks for the post – very detailed and the pictures are superb
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Thank you Chelvi! 🙂
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I love lemon curd and what a pretty dessert you’ve made with the meringue nests. Beautiful and delicious…a wonderful combination.
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Thank you Karen. I love lemon curd as well. I’m glad you liked the idea. 🙂
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The meringue nests are beautiful. This post makes me want to experiment with using meringue to create some interesting desserts.
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Thank you Sheryl.Meringue desserts are actually quite “old fashioned”. I’m just so glad to have a mixer, as most of the meringue recipes from back then were not so easy to make. 🙂
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Awh,what a beauty! 🙂
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Thank you Yana! 🙂
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Those lemon curd meringues looks just perfect! I can just about taste it right now 🙂
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Thank you Laila! It is one of my favorite combinations. I’m glad you liked it as well. 🙂
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this looks incredible!
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Thank you Ideen! 🙂
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I have seen lots of versions of meringue but your looks amazing! 🙂
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Thank you Kristina! 🙂
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Love your take on meringues. Looks yummy, Ronit.
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Thank you Mary! 🙂
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They are gorgeous! I love all things lemon. Hugs! 😀
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Thank you Teagan! 🙂
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Ronit,
I absolutely love this recipe combining two of my favorites- meringues and lemon curd! Your pictures are just amazing!
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Thank you Sandhya. I’m glad to hear. These are my to favorites as well. 🙂
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Gorgeous! I can almost taste that Meyer Lemon Curd and I just love that you made little hats!!
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Thank you! The lemon curd goes so well with the meringue, and the little hats add a bit of whimsical touch. 🙂
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🙂
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Delicious x
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Thank you Dimple! 🙂
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