Best Irish Coffee Meringues Recipe Epicuriouscom Recipes

CARAMEL COFFEE MERINGUES

Steps:

• Make meringues:
• Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 500°F. Lightly oil ramekins.
• Stir together 1 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons espresso powder in a small bowl. Beat whites with a pinch of salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add sugar mixture a little at a time, beating, then increase speed to high and continue to beat until whites hold stiff, glossy peaks.
• Spoon meringue into ramekins, forming gentle swirling peaks in tops. Arrange ramekins on a baking sheet and bake until meringues are slightly puffed and a shade darker, 4 to 5 minutes (meringues will still be very soft). Transfer ramekins to a rack and cool 30 minutes, then chill at least 3 hours. (Meringues will deflate slightly and pull away from sides of ramekins.)
• Make syrup:
• Stir together 1/4 cup water and remaining tablespoon espresso powder in a small glass.
• Bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar and remaining 1/4 cup water to a boil in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved and washing down any crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water. Boil syrup, without stirring, gently swirling pan, until mixture is a deep golden caramel. Remove from heat and carefully pour in espresso mixture (liquid will bubble and steam), then stir until well combined (if necessary, stir over low heat until caramel is dissolved). Transfer syrup to a heatproof bowl and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
• Make topping and serve meringues:
• Just before serving, beat cream with cleaned beaters until it just holds soft peaks. Drizzle each meringue with 1 tablespoon syrup and top generously with whipped cream.
• *Available at specialty foods shops, some supermarkets, and The Baker's Catalogue (800-827-6836; bakerscatalogue.com).
• **Available at some cookware shops and Bridge Kitchenware (800-274-3435 or 212-688-4220).

IRISH COFFEE MERINGUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F Draw two 7-inch circles on a sheet of parchment paper.
• Place the egg whites in a spotlessly clean and dry bowl. Add the 3/4 cup confectioners sugar and whisk until the mixture stands in medium peaks.
• Sift the coffee powder with the remaining confectioners' sugar and carefully fold into the egg whites.
• Carefully spread the meringue with a palette knife onto the circles on the parchment paper. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until crisp.
• The disks should peel easily from the paper. Allow to cool completely.
• Add the whiskey to the whipped cream. Place into a pastry bag. Sandwich the meringue disks together with 2/3 of the flavored cream.
• Pipe 5 rosettes on the top with the remaining whipped cream. Decorate with chocolate-coated coffee beans. TO SLICE: Use a sharp thin knife that has been heated by sitting in very hot water.

HAZELNUT BUTTER AND COFFEE MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Toast hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove nuts and reduce oven temperature to 200°. Bundle nuts in a kitchen towel and rub vigorously to remove skins. Spread out and let cool.
• Blend hazelnuts and salt in a food processor until a smooth, creamy nut butter forms (it should be pretty fluid; keep processing if still stiff); set aside.
• Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy, about 1 minute. With motor running, gradually add granulated sugar and beat until medium peaks form, about 5 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, 8-10 minutes.
• Transfer meringue to a large bowl and gently fold in half of reserved hazelnut butter, leaving plenty of streaks. Add remaining hazelnut butter and fold once just to barely blend. Mixture should be marbled with thick ribbons of nut butter.
• Spoon heaping spoonfuls of meringue onto parchment-lined baking sheets (meringues will flatten slightly as they bake, so make them tall) and top with coffee beans. Bake until dry, 2-2 1/2 hours. Turn off heat and let cool in oven.
• Do ahead: Meringues can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

IRISH COFFEE MERINGUES

Steps:

• For meringues:
• Preheat oven to 250°F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper. Stir 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder in small bowl to blend well. Using hand-held electric mixer, beat egg whites in medium bowl until medium-stiff peaks form. Add remaining 4 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar to egg whites by tablespoonfuls and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold coffee-sugar mixture into meringue.
• Drop meringue by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly. Using knife, gently spread meringues 2 1/2- to 3-inch rounds. Bake until meringues are dry and can be easily be lifted from parchment, about 45 minutes. Transfer meringues to racks and cool completely. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Store in airtight containers at room temperature.)
• For filling:
• Beat 1 cup whipping cream in medium bowl to medium-firm peaks. Add sugar, Irish whiskey and instant espresso powder and beat until firm peaks form.
• Place 1 meringue on plate, flat side down. Spoon 1 generous tablespoon of espresso cream filling over. Top with another meringue, flat side down, and press gently until filling spreads to edge. Repeat with remaining meringues and filling. (Can be prepared 1 hour ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• Beat remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream in small bowl until firm peaks form. Spoon small dollop of cream atop each meringue. Garnish each with chocolate-covered coffee beans, if desired.