Lithuanian Semi Crisp Meringue Pastry Recipes

CRISP MERINGUE HEART NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• A day before you plan to serve the dessert, heat the oven to 300 degrees for at least 15 minutes, then turn it off and leave the door closed. Whip the egg whites until foamy in a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the granulated sugar and whip until stiff and glossy, about 3 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar and whip very briefly (I count to 10), just to incorporate.
• Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag with a medium plain tip and pipe small hearts with 2 teardrop shaped strokes onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place the pan in the turned-off oven, close the door, and leave overnight to dry until crisp. (The recipe can be made up to this point and stored at room temperature in an airtight container up to 5 days in advance.)
• When ready to serve, whip the cream and place in a pastry bag with a star tip. Place 1 meringue heart on a plate then pipe on cream. Top with raspberries and a final meringue. Tuck a mint leaf into each, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

MERINGUE DROPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150° F, or the lowest setting possible. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Beat the egg white in a small bowl with a wire whisk until foamy. As you continue beating, add the sugar gradually, until the meringue holds stiff and glossy peaks when the whisk is lifted from them. Spoon the meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe onto the prepared baking sheet to form 3/4-inch rounds. (If you don't have a pastry bag, drop the beaten whites by the slightly rounded teaspoonful, keeping the little mounds as high as possible.) Bake until the meringues are completely dry and very light, about 2 1/2 hours. Cool completely.
• Pour the cream into a small, chilled bowl. Beat with a wire whisk or an electric mixer until the cream holds stiff peaks. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the whipped cream onto the flat side of one of the meringues. Press the flat side of a second meringue gently onto the cream to make a meringue sandwich. Repeat with the remaining meringues and cream. Chill the meringue drops on a serving plate in the refrigerator 1 hour before serving.

CRISPY BAKED MERINGUES

Steps:

• Whip the egg whites and salt into peaks.
• Add the vanilla, and continue beating until the mixture forms stiff peaks.
• In a separate bowl, stir the cream of tartar into the regular sugar and whisk into the whites very gradually, a spoonful at a time, until the meringue is stiff and the sugar has dissolved.
• Sift together the icing sugar and cornstarch. Sift over the meringue and gently fold until fully incorporated.
• Pipe or spoon the meringues onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Each meringue should be about the size of a bar of soap.
• Bake at 225ºF/110ºC until cream-coloured and crisp on top when tapped, 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
• Remove from the oven. Cool on the trays. Store in an air-tight container.

LITHUANIAN SEMI-CRISP MERINGUE PASTRY

Steps:

• Mix together flour, butter, sugar, vanilla, egg yolk, sour cream and baking powder. Work until smooth. Place in fridge for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Roll out dough and placed on a small, greased cookie sheet. Pierce with a fork in several places before putting it into the oven. Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove and cool slightly.
• Lower oven temp to 300 degrees.
• Spread the marmalade over the top of the pastry.
• Whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread over the pastry. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes or until meringue develops a slight "blush".