Almond meringues

Delicious Almond Meringue with White Chocolate Cream Recipe

Total preparation time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Number of servings: 12-15 meringues

In a world full of refined desserts, almond meringues with white chocolate cream stand out for their simplicity and elegance. These crunchy delights on the outside and silky on the inside are perfect for serving at a party, a brunch, or simply to indulge yourself on an ordinary day. Let's discover together how to prepare them, step by step.

A Brief History

Meringues have a rich history, originating from various corners of the world, but all cooking enthusiasts love them for their unique texture. The base of the recipe consists of egg whites and sugar, the essential ingredients for achieving that fluffy and airy texture. Adding almonds gives them a hint of flavor, while the white chocolate cream transforms a simple dessert into a true gourmet experience.

Ingredients

For the meringues:
- 3 egg whites (approximately 100 g)
- 200 g powdered sugar (use store-bought powdered sugar to avoid starch)
- 100 g finely ground almonds
- 35 g granulated sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- a few drops of yellow food coloring

For the white chocolate cream:
- 150 g quality white chocolate (recommend Milka for a creamy taste)
- 50 ml liquid cream
- 50 g butter (choose good quality butter for a more intense flavor)

Step by Step

1. Preparing the white chocolate cream:

1. In a heatproof bowl, melt the white chocolate together with the liquid cream over a double boiler. Make sure the water in the pot does not touch the bottom of the bowl to avoid burning the chocolate.
2. Gently stir until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
3. Let it cool to room temperature, then add the butter cut into cubes. Mix on low speed until you obtain a smooth cream. Place the cream in the refrigerator to firm up slightly while you prepare the meringues.

2. Preparing the meringues:

1. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy.
2. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to beat until you achieve a stiff and glossy meringue (approximately 5-7 minutes).
3. Add the yellow food coloring, then sift the powdered sugar and ground almonds into the mixture 3 times. This will help eliminate any lumps and incorporate air into the mixture.
4. Use a spatula to gently fold, turning the bowl about 10 times. The mixture should be homogeneous and flow easily without separating.
5. Place the mixture in a plastic bag, cut a small corner, and form circles of about 3 cm on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving 2 cm between each.
6. Let the meringues rest at room temperature for 1 hour. This step is crucial as it allows a light crust to form on the surface.
7. Preheat the oven to 160 °C and bake the meringues for 12-15 minutes. You will know they are ready when they easily lift off the paper.

3. Assembling:

1. Once the meringues are completely cooled, take the white chocolate cream out of the refrigerator. Use a piping bag to apply a layer of cream on one meringue, then place another meringue on top, forming a sandwich.
2. Continue until you have filled all the meringues. You can decorate them with a little powdered sugar on top for an elegant look.

Practical Tips

- Choose quality ingredients: The quality of the ingredients plays an important role in the final taste of the dessert. Opt for good quality white chocolate and high-fat butter.
- Ingredient temperature: Make sure the egg whites are at room temperature to achieve a better meringue.
- Avoid humidity: The cooking of meringues is influenced by the humidity in the air. Avoid making them on a rainy day.

Possible Variations

- Cocoa meringues: You can replace some of the ground almonds with cocoa to create a chocolate version.
- Flavoring: Add a little vanilla or almond extract to the meringues for an extra hint of flavor.
- Filling: Instead of white chocolate cream, experiment with vanilla cream or fruit jam.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I use store-bought powdered sugar?
Store-bought powdered sugar contains starch, which helps stabilize the meringues and maintain their texture.

2. What do I do if the meringues don’t rise?
Make sure the egg whites are beaten well enough and that no water or fats have been introduced into the mixture.

3. How can I store the meringues?
Keep the meringues in an airtight container, in a cool and dry place. They can be consumed for up to a week.

Serving and Pairing

These almond meringues with white chocolate cream are wonderful served with a fragrant coffee or a delicate tea. You can also pair them with a sweet wine or a chocolate liqueur for a complete culinary experience.

I invite you to try this delicious recipe and discover the joy of creating fine and refined desserts in the comfort of your home. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: For the meringues: 3 egg whites, 200 g powdered sugar, 100 g finely ground almonds, 35 g granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, a few drops of yellow food coloring. For the white chocolate cream: 150 g Milka white chocolate, 50 ml liquid cream, 50 g good quality butter.

 Tags:  almond meringues marshmallows