Food Friday- Meringues

I saw a lady at the grocery store the other day carrying a container of pretty pastel meringues and remembered that I wanted to try Laura's recipe.  I'm pretty sure she's an undercover chef, because everything she makes looks amazing.  If you haven't already, check out her blog, Wrapped Up In Rainbows.

Laura's recipe can be found here, but since I'm in the States, I had to convert to US measurements.  Here's the ingredients you'll need...

• 3 egg whites.
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• food coloring 

First, pre-heat your oven to 275 degrees.  I made mine at 280 degrees, which is the conversion from 140 degrees Celsius, but I found that to be just a tad too high.  Of course, everyone's oven is different, so just see what works for you.
Put your egg whites in a bowl and mix with a handheld mixer on medium until it gets good and fluffy, which takes a little while.  It will end up looking like the below picture.

Next, add your vanilla and mix.  Then, start adding your sugar tablespoon by tablespoon.  Mix on medium until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Now, add your food coloring drop by drop.  Just remember when mixing food coloring that you can always add more color, but you can't take it away.  So take it slow. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper, and make 6 dollops with the mixture, making sure to leave ample space between them.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  If you want them to be crisp all the way through, turn your oven off after 1 and 1/2 hours of baking and leave them in the over for an additional 4 hours.  When done, take them out of the oven and place them on a rack or plate to cool.

I served mine with some mint chocolate chip ice cream, but honestly I think they are better on their own.  They are so yummy and chewy on the inside.  I can't wait to try a crispy, smaller version of these to have with tea.  Even Blaze liked them (he stole one off the table while they were cooling and ate it.  Little turd).