Mini Meringue Christmas Trees with Marshmallow Centers
Total Time:2 hours
Ingredients
4 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 cup extra fine granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
24 mini marshmallows, made with agar-agar or plant-based alternatives
Small gold star sprinkles
Assorted colorful nonpareils or ball sprinkles
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is approximately 95 degrees Celsius. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure the meringues do not stick. This low temperature is crucial for drying out the meringues without browning them, keeping those festive colors bright.
In a very clean, grease-free glass or metal bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium-low speed until soft peaks form. It is vital that there is no yolk or oil in the bowl, as even a tiny amount will prevent the whites from fluffing up properly.
Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and begin adding the sugar one tablespoon at a time. Continue beating the mixture until stiff, glossy peaks form and the sugar is completely dissolved. You can check this by rubbing a small amount of the mixture between your fingers, if it feels gritty, keep beating for another minute.
Gently fold in the alcohol-free vanilla extract and a few drops of green gel food coloring. Use a spatula to swirl the color through until it is uniform, or leave it slightly streaky for a natural tree effect. Be careful not to over-mix, as you do not want to deflate the air you just worked so hard to incorporate.
Transfer the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Place a mini marshmallow on the parchment paper to act as the “trunk” and center of your tree. Pipe a wide circle around the base of the marshmallow, then continue piping in a swirling upward motion to cover the marshmallow and end in a pointed tip at the top.
Immediately place a gold star sprinkle on the top of each tree and dust with colorful nonpareils to look like ornaments. Place the trays in the oven and bake for 90 minutes. Once the time is up, turn off the oven and leave the door slightly ajar, allowing the trees to cool and crisp up completely inside the oven for at least another hour.
