LEMONY EASTER CHICKS

Lemony Easter chicks image

Provided by Jo Pratt

Time 1h15m

Yield Makes approx 25 chicks

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 medium egg whites
100g golden caster sugar
½ tsp cornflour
grated zest 1/2 lemon , plus 1 tsp juice
yellow food colouring paste
orange, black and yellow icing pen , to decorate

Steps:

Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and put a medium-sized plain nozzle on a piping bag.
In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until they are very stiff. Add half the sugar and continue to whisk until the mixture is becoming firm and shiny.
Stir the cornflour into the remaining sugar and add to the meringue, along with the lemon zest and juice, and a smidge of yellow food colouring paste. Whisk again until you have a very thick, firm and glossy pale yellow meringue.
Carefully spoon the meringue into the piping bag. Push any air out of the top and tightly twist the opening to seal. Pipe about 25 thumb-sized dollops onto your baking sheet - if possible, try to make them wider at the base than the top, resembling a chick's body and head. Leave a gap between each chick to allow for expanding when cooking.
Cook in the oven for 30 mins until they are crisp, firm and come off the baking parchment easily. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
To decorate, use the orange icing pen to make a V-shaped beak, and a black icing pen for eyes and feet. The yellow icing pen can be used to decorate fluffy hair on the chick's head and/or wings. Will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 17 calories, Carbohydrate 4 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 4 grams sugar