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How to make meringues

Learn how to make classic meringues with this simple step-by-step recipe. Once you've mastered the basics of whisking the egg whites and sugar together and baking for the perfect crisp, sugary crust, you can use this recipe to make all sorts of gorgeous desserts.

  1. Preheat the oven

    Preheat the oven gas 1, 140°C, fan 120°C. Place 4 room-temperature egg whites into a large, clean, grease-free bowl.

    Preheat the oven
  2. Whisk the eggs

    Using an electric whisk, start whisking the egg whites at a low speed, increasing it as they froth up and swell in volume.

    Whisk the eggs
  3. Add the sugar

    Once the whites are nice and stiff, gradually add 225g caster sugar, a couple of tablespoons at a time.

    Add the sugar
  4. Continue whisking

    Continue whisking until the mixture is firm and moussey, with a glossy sheen. Then line two baking sheets with greaseproof paper.

    Continue whisking
  5. Bake

    Place spoonfuls of the mixture onto the trays, leaving space between each one. Bake for 40-45 mins, until the meringues are crisp on the outside.

    Bake
  6. Leave to cool

    Turn off the oven, leaving them inside to cook for about 30-40 more minutes (for a crisp outside and a soft inside). Once cool, take them off the paper.

    Leave to cool
  7. Serve

    Serve meringues topped with whipped cream and berries, crushed into an Eton mess or dipped in chocolate.

    meringue 24805 1 (h)

    Calories 235 (12%), fat 0g (0%), saturates 0g (0%), sugars 59g (66%), salt 0.1g (0%), based on 4 servings.

  8. Ingredients

    You need just 2 ingredients for these simple meringues – don't forget to make a note before going shopping!

    4 egg whites
    225g caster sugar