Meringue Baskets

Meringue Baskets - A Perfect Delicacy for Any Occasion

Who can resist a fluffy, crunchy cake soaked in sweet meringue? Meringue baskets are the ideal dessert for name days, birthdays, or simply to pamper the family on a lazy afternoon. These treats are made with simple ingredients, but with a lot of love and patience. In this step-by-step guide, I will teach you how to make the most delicious meringue baskets, providing you with useful tips and information about each ingredient. Let's get started!

Preparation time: 2 hours
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 50 baskets (depends on portion size)

Ingredients

For the baskets:
- 25 g fresh yeast (one packet), soaked in a little milk
- 2 eggs (yolks for the dough, egg whites for the meringue)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 125 g cold butter (ideal, but you can also use margarine if you prefer)
- 1 cup of milk
- Flour, as needed (approximately 400 g, but adjust according to dough consistency)

For the meringue cream:
- Egg whites (from the 2 eggs)
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 6 tablespoons nuts (ground or chopped, as preferred)
- 1 egg for brushing the baskets

Step by step: Making the baskets

1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, cut the butter into cubes (the same applies if using margarine). Add the sugar and egg yolks. Mix well until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

2. Activating the yeast:
Add the soaked yeast in a little milk, the remaining milk, and a pinch of salt. Gently mix to combine the ingredients. It is important that the milk is warm, but not hot, so as not to kill the yeast.

3. Adding the flour:
Start adding the flour gradually, mixing constantly. Continue adding flour until the dough becomes elastic and no longer sticks to your hands. Ideally, let the dough chill in the refrigerator overnight, but if you are impatient, half an hour is enough to cool it down a bit.

Making the meringue cream

4. Whip the egg whites:
In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until you get a firm foam. Gradually add the sugar and continue mixing until the meringue becomes shiny and has a firm consistency.

5. Add the nuts:
Fold in the ground nuts into the meringue, mixing with a spatula, being careful not to deflate the air in the egg whites.

Forming the baskets

6. Roll out the dough:
On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin sheet. Cut it into long strips.

7. Fill and roll:
On each strip of dough, place a tablespoon of the meringue cream. Roll the dough lengthwise, forming a log. Cut the logs into pieces of about 5 cm.

8. Arrange the baskets:
Place the pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, with the filling facing up.

9. Brushing:
Beat an egg and brush each basket using a brush. This will give a beautiful golden color when baked.

Baking

10. Preheat the oven:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the tray in the preheated oven and let the baskets bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they become golden and fluffy.

Serving and suggestions

Once the baskets have cooled a bit, you can enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee. These delights are perfect for serving as snacks at an event or simply to add a touch of sweetness to an ordinary day.

Calories and nutritional benefits

Each basket contains approximately 80-100 calories, depending on the size and ingredients used. They provide a quick source of energy due to the sugar and contain proteins from eggs and nuts, making them a better choice than many other processed desserts. Nuts also bring healthy fats for the heart.

Possible variations

- Add flavors: You can experiment by adding vanilla, cinnamon, or lemon zest to the meringue cream for a more complex taste.
- Embrace the season: Depending on the season, you can add dried or fresh fruits to the meringue, such as raspberries or blueberries, for a fresh note.
- Make them less sweet: If you prefer a less sweet taste, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the meringue.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but the baskets will have a different texture and will be denser.

- How can I store the baskets?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them.

- Can I use quail eggs?
Yes, it is an excellent alternative. Replace 1 chicken egg with 3 quail eggs.

Now that you have all the details to make these wonderful meringue baskets, all that's left to do is get started. I hope you enjoy them and share them with your loved ones! Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: for the baskets: 25 g yeast (one packet) soaked in a little milk, 2 eggs = from which we will use the yolks for the baskets and the whites for the cream, 1 tablespoon of sugar, a pinch of salt, 125 g cold butter from the fridge, so that the dough is tender, a cup of milk, flour as needed for the cream: the egg whites, 6 tablespoons of sugar, 6 tablespoons of nuts, 1 egg for brushing the baskets

 Tags:  meringue baskets