How to Make Meringue

Meringue adds the finishing touch to many delicious desserts. How to make meringue will show you how to turn a combination of sugar and egg whites into frothy delight!

Meringue is a simple mixture of egg whites and sugar. It can act as a fluffy shell or topping for pies and ice cream, or stand alone, formed into cloud-like cookies that dissolve in your mouth. Combine meringue with your favorite fruits in summer for light, airy desserts.

• To ensure the success of your meringue, make sure that all your equipment is clean and free of oil residues. To this end, it's best to use glass or metal instruments rather than plastic, as plastic sometimes retains oil even after washing.

• Use only the purest ingredients when making meringue. Egg whites with any impurities, including remnants of egg yolk, won't froth well.FXCuisine: Make Your Own Meringues

1. Place the oven racks in the center of the oven.
2. Preheat the oven to 200° F.
3. Line each cookie sheet with parchment paper.
4. Combine the salt and egg whites in your bowl, making sure that the whites are completely free from any speck of egg yolk.
5. Beat the whites on medium speed until they form soft peaks.
6. Add the sugar gradually to the whites, continuing to beat.
7. Stop beating once all of the sugar is incorporated.

• You can use meringue in quite a few ways. You can bake it on top of a sweet dessert, form it into the shape of a pie shell and bake it before filling it, or form it into meringue kisses to bake and eat.

1. Use a teaspoon or piping bag to dollop mounds of the meringue onto the cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Put the cookie sheets into the preheated oven.

3. Leave the oven door ajar by placing a wooden spoon handle or ball of aluminum foil inside the opening.FXCuisine: Make Your Own Meringues

4. Bake for around two hours, or until the meringues are completely dry throughout.

1. Grease a cookie sheet with nonstick spray.Epicurious.com: Meringue Recipe

2. Spoon the meringue onto the cookie sheet and use the back of the spoon or a spatula to form it into a pie shell shape.Epicurious.com: Meringue Recipe

3. Put the meringue in your preheated oven and bake until dry throughout, as with the meringue kisses.

• You can easily twist the traditional meringue by adding flavorings, toppings, or fillings.

1. Use brown sugar instead of white.
2. Fold a few handfuls of chocolate chips or nuts into the meringue before baking.MarthaStewart.com: Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
3. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite flavoring -- vanilla, almond, orange, or another extract -- after you finish adding the sugar.
4. Add food coloring after the sugar for a more playful treat.
5. Make an Italian meringue by boiling the sugar in water before adding it to the egg whites.Food Network: Italian Meringue

• Impress and delight your friends when you bring your fluffy meringues to your next get-together. Meringues are both tasty and low in fat, so there's no question of failing to please the crowd. Grill some salmon and make a pitcher of sangria to combine with your meringues for a fun summer meal.