Best Meringue Shells With Lemon Curd Recipes

EASTER MERINGUE CUPS

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat the egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. , Drop meringue into eight mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shape into 3-in. cups with the back of a spoon. , Bake at 275° for 45-50 minutes or until set and dry. Turn off oven and do not open door; leave meringues in oven for 1 hour. Spread cups with lemon curd and fill with fruit.

LEMON TARTLETS WITH MERINGUE CAPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Make the shells: Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg whites, one at a time. Mix in flour and vanilla.
• Spoon 1 scant teaspoon batter onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with a nonstick baking mat. Using the back of a teaspoon, spread into a 3-inch circle. Repeat 4 times. Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately transfer cookies, one at a time, to inverted small tartlet shells or brioche molds; gently press to shape. Let set, about 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining batter. If cookies become too cool to shape, return them to oven for 20 seconds. Shells can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.
• Reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees. Make the meringue caps: Put egg whites and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water; whisk until sugar has dissolved. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form and meringue is cool, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a 7/16-inch star tip (such as Ateco No. 825). Pipe 20 spirals, 1 1/4 inches round and 2 inches high, onto baking sheets lined with parchment, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 150 degrees. Bake until dry but not brown, about 2 hours more. Transfer meringues to a wire rack; let cool completely. Meringues can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.
• Make the curd: Whisk egg yolks, lemon zest and juice, and sugar in a heavy, medium saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-low heat until mixture registers 160 degrees on a candy thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in salt. Add butter, 1 piece at a time, stirring after each addition until smooth. Pour curd through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface. Refrigerate until cold and set, at least 1 hour (up to 2 days).
• To serve, spoon 2 teaspoons curd into each shell. Top each with a meringue cap.

LEMON-CURD PHYLLO TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place phyllo shells on a baking sheet and brush with egg white. Sprinkle with sugar and bake until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on sheet on a wire rack.
• Spoon or pipe lemon curd into shells. Serve, decorated with blueberries and fresh mint leaves.

MERINGUE SHELLS

Steps:

• Beat all ingredients together well. Then beat in slowly 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup at a time.
• Beat until mixture forms very stiff peaks.
• Line cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• Divide meringue into 8 circles on waxed paper. Slightly hollow out centers and make a stand-up ridge around outside of meringue shells.
• Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Let cool on pan.
• To serve, fill shells with vanilla ice cream and top with sweetened sliced strawberries.