Meringue powder is a versatile baking staple that every home baker should have in their pantry. Made from dried egg whites, it’s a convenient and safe alternative to fresh eggs, offering consistent results in a variety of sweet and decorative recipes.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, recipes with meringue powder open up a world of possibilities — from fluffy frostings to crisp cookies and beautiful cake decorations. Plus, it’s perfect for allergy-friendly baking or when you want to avoid the hassle of separating eggs.
In a spot in your baking toolkit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Using meringue powder in your recipes offers several fantastic benefits. First, it ensures a consistent and stable texture in your meringue-based creations without the risk of salmonella from raw egg whites.
It’s also highly convenient — no cracking eggs or worrying about freshness. This makes it ideal for decorating cookies, making frosting, or whipping up light, airy desserts.
Moreover, meringue powder is shelf-stable and easy to store, so you can whip up meringue recipes anytime without last-minute shopping trips. The variety of recipes you can make with it extends beyond just classic meringues — it’s perfect for royal icing, buttercream frostings, and even some no-bake treats.
Whether you’re baking for holidays, parties, or everyday treats, recipes with meringue powder will bring a professional touch to your kitchen creations.
Ingredients
- Meringue powder – the star ingredient in all these recipes, typically made from dried egg whites, sugar, and stabilizers
- Granulated sugar – for sweetness and structure
- Water – activates the meringue powder and dissolves sugars
- Cream of tartar – optional stabilizer for whipped mixtures
- Powdered sugar – for royal icing and frostings
- Lemon juice or vanilla extract – for flavoring
- Butter – for buttercream frostings
- Corn syrup or glucose – optional, to add shine and smoothness in some frostings
- Cornstarch – optional, for dusting meringue cookies
- Gel food coloring – optional, for decorating
Equipment
- Electric mixer (stand or handheld) – essential for whipping meringue powder into stiff peaks
- Mixing bowls – preferably metal or glass for best results
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient quantities
- Spatula – for folding and scraping
- Piping bags and tips – for decorating cookies and cakes
- Baking sheets – for meringue cookies and other baked treats
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – to prevent sticking
- Sifter – for powdered sugar
- Thermometer – optional, for marshmallow recipes
Instructions
Recipe 1: Classic Royal Icing Using Meringue Powder
- Combine ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of meringue powder with 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar.
- Add liquid: Add 6 tablespoons of water and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or lemon juice.
- Mix: Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on low speed until it starts to come together, then increase to high speed.
- Whip to stiff peaks: Continue beating for about 7-10 minutes until stiff, glossy peaks form. The icing should hold its shape but still be pipeable.
- Adjust consistency: For outlining, use as is. For flooding (filling), add water a teaspoon at a time until the icing flows smoothly from a spoon.
- Color and decorate: Divide icing into bowls and add gel food coloring if desired. Use piping bags to decorate cookies and cakes.
- Dry: Allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight.
Recipe 2: Meringue Cookies with Meringue Powder
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 200°F (95°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare meringue: In a clean mixing bowl, whip 2 tablespoons of meringue powder with ¼ cup of water and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
- Add sugar: Gradually add 1 cup of granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Flavor: Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix briefly.
- Pipe: Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe small swirls or shapes onto the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until dry and crisp. Turn off the oven and leave the cookies inside to cool completely.
- Store: Store in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
Recipe 3: Homemade Marshmallows Using Meringue Powder
- Prepare gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of gelatin over ½ cup cold water; let it bloom for 10 minutes.
- Heat sugar syrup: In a saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, and ½ cup water. Heat over medium heat until the mixture reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Whip meringue: While the syrup heats, whip 3 tablespoons of meringue powder with ½ cup water until foamy.
- Combine: Slowly pour the hot syrup into the meringue while beating on high speed.
- Add gelatin: Add the bloomed gelatin to the mixture and continue whipping until thick and fluffy, about 10 minutes.
- Flavor: Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat briefly.
- Set: Pour the mixture into a greased or powdered sugar-dusted pan and let it set for at least 4 hours.
- Cut and coat: Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar or cornstarch to prevent sticking.
Tips & Variations
Tip: Always use a clean, dry bowl and beaters when working with meringue powder to ensure your meringue whips up properly.
Tip: For a glossy, stronger royal icing, add a pinch of cream of tartar along with the meringue powder.
Variations:
- Add natural flavor extracts like almond or peppermint to your royal icing for festive treats.
- Use gel food coloring sparingly to avoid thinning your icing.
- Try folding in finely chopped nuts or chocolate chips into meringue cookies for extra texture.
- For vegan-friendly marshmallows, substitute gelatin with agar agar, though results may vary.
Nutrition Facts
Recipe | Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Carbohydrates | Protein | Sugar |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Icing (per 2 tbsp) | 2 tbsp | 50 | 0g | 12g | 1g | 11g |
Meringue Cookie (per cookie) | 1 cookie (10g) | 20 | 0g | 5g | 1g | 4g |
Homemade Marshmallow (per piece) | 1 piece (15g) | 45 | 0g | 12g | 0.5g | 10g |
Serving Suggestions
Recipes with meringue powder, especially royal icing and meringue cookies, are perfect for decorating holiday cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. Use them as a delicate topping or to add artistic flair with piping designs.
Pair meringue cookies with a cup of tea or coffee for a light, sweet snack.
Homemade marshmallows can be enjoyed on their own, added to hot chocolate, or used in s’mores for an extra special treat. For a delightful dessert, layer marshmallows with fruit and whipped cream in parfait glasses.
You might also enjoy trying these alongside other vegan and vegetarian recipes such as Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas or Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food.
Conclusion
Recipes with meringue powder offer a wonderful way to create stunning, delicious desserts and decorations with ease and confidence. Its convenience, stability, and versatility make it a favorite ingredient for bakers of all skill levels.
Whether you’re making royal icing for cookie decorating, crispy meringue cookies, or fluffy marshmallows, meringue powder helps you achieve professional-quality results every time.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors, colors, and shapes to personalize your baked goods. For more inspiration on plant-based cooking and baking, be sure to check out other recipes like Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide or Vegan Recipes No Tofu: Delicious Plant-Based Meals.
Happy baking and enjoy the sweet rewards of working with meringue powder!
📖 Recipe Card: Classic Meringue Cookies
Description: Light and airy meringue cookies made using meringue powder for ease and consistency. Perfectly crisp on the outside and soft inside.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT90M
Total Time: PT105M
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°F (93°C).
- In a large bowl, combine meringue powder, water, and cream of tartar.
- Beat mixture on high speed until foamy.
- Gradually add sugar while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in vanilla extract and salt.
- Pipe or spoon meringue onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 90 minutes or until dry and crisp.
- Turn off oven and let meringues cool inside oven for 1 hour.
Nutrition: Calories: 15 | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0g | Carbs: 4g
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