Colored Party Meringues

Makes approx 30

Ingredients:

3 egg whites

3/4 cups superfine sugar

1/2 tsp cream of tartar or dash of salt

1/2 tsp lemon juice

food coloring - red, orange, yellow

Method:

Preheat oven to 225°F.

With a hand mixer or whisk, whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar (or salt) until soft peaks form.

Gradually add in sugar, making sure it is fully dissolved. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form.

Add lemon juice. continue to whisk for a further 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is very thick and glossy, all the sugar has dissolved and a long trailing peak forms when the whisk is lifted. Do NOT over beat otherwise the meringues will collapse during baking and beads of sugar will form on their surface.

Divide the meringue into 3 bowls and color each one with a couple of drops of
food coloring. Fold the color in using a spatula.

Spoon the meringue into a piping bag and squeeze to make swirls onto 2 cookie
sheets lined with baking paper. Make each one about 1 inch across.

Place the meringues into the oven and reduce the temperature to 195°F. When
you place the meringues in the oven, the initial slightly higher temperature
sets their outsides. The lower temperature then dries the meringues rather than
bakes them. Leave the oven on for 1 1/2 hours or until the meringues are crisp
and sound hollow when tapped on the base. Turn the oven off and allow the
meringues to cool in the oven - this will take 3-4 hours.

The meringues will have a crisp, light texture.

Create a paper cone using paper that matches your party theme and stick the cone together using sticky tape, threading some thin ribbons to create the effect in the image above. Fill with colourful meringues and your guests will adore their party favors as a very special treat.

The meringues can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.