Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F (100°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, begin whipping the egg whites with the salt at medium speed until frothy.
- Increase the speed of the mixer to medium-high and whip until the egg whites thicken and begin to hold their shape. Continue whipping the whites while adding the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Once the sugar's been added, add the vanilla and continue to whip for 2 minutes, until stiff and glossy.
- Remove the mixer bowl from the stand and sift the confectioners' sugar over the meringue while simultaneously folding it in.
- Divide the meringue into 8 portions, evenly spaced, on the baking sheet. (They'll all fit if you arrange 3 down each side lengthwise and 2 in the center.)
- Take a spoon, dip it in water, tap off the excess, and make a hollow in the center of each meringue, like mashed potatoes in preparation for gravy.
- Bake the meringues for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and continue to let the meringues dry out in the oven for 1 hour more.
- The meringues are done when they feel dry and lift easily off the parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Variations
- Meringue nests lend themselves to many variations. Here are some of my favorites. Simply fold the additional ingredients into the meringue after adding in the confectioners' sugar.
- Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Coconut: 1/2 cup (40 g) dried shredded coconut, toasted
- Cocoa Nib: 6 tablespoons (60 g) cocoa nibs
- Coffee: 1 tablespoon best-quality instant coffee (crush the crystals into a fine powder with the back of a spoon first) or espresso powder
- Chocolate: 3 tablespoons (21 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- Chocolate Chip: 1/2 cup (80 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (regular or mini)
- Chocolate-Chocolate Chip: 3 tablespoons (21 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder and 1/3 cup (60 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (regular or mini)
- Green Tea and Black Sesame: 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha (green tea powder) and 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
- For Almond Meringue Nests: Replace the vanilla with 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and press 2 tablespoons sliced almonds into the top of each meringue before baking.
- Storage
- Once cool, store the meringues in an absolutely airtight container until ready to serve. They can be made 1 week in advance.
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