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Meringue Cookies | Plant-Based

Meringue Cookies | Plant-Based

Active time: 20 min
Total time: 90 min
Serves: 40
These light, airy, sweet and crisp, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a spin on the classic egg-based meringue dessert. This vegan version uses cream of tartar to help stabilize the egg-free meringue.

Chef's notes

* Use chilled liquid and reduced liquid. * If the meringue softens before you can pipe all of the cookies, rebeat. * On humid or rainy days, meringues may be sticky at the end of baking time. If so, bake them up to 30 minutes longer and allow the meringues to cool in a falling oven for an additional hour or more without opening the door. Once cool, immediately transfer to a container, cover and store airtight, at room temperature. I find the best way to keep meringue cookies crisp is to store them in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Steps

1

Preparing the Meringue & Baking the Cookies

Preparing the Meringue & Baking the Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted chickpea liquid
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 4 ounces superfine sugar (organic cane sugar ground in high speed blender or spice grinder)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional, but suggested)
Combine the chickpea liquid and cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed until cream of tartar is incorporated and the liquid is semi-opaque. Increase the speed to high and beat for 1 minute or until opaque. Add 1 tbsp sugar and immediately raise the speed to high and beat for 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low and continue to add the sugar,1 tbsp at a time, beating on high for 1 minute after each addition. When all of the sugar has been added, beat for an additional 10 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula from time to time. The meringue should be stiff, white and glossy. If not, keep beating until it is. Reduce the speed to medium and slowly add the vanilla and lemon juice (if using). Note: The lemon juice adds a lovely light lemon flavor. Beat on high another 5 minutes or until the meringue is stiff, white and glossy, like marshmallow fluff. The total time needed depends on your mixer. You cannot over beat so don’t worry. For video instructions of how to make the meringue, see this video recipe here Vegan Meringue. Once you have a nice thick meringue with peaks, make the cookies. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle. Preheat the oven to 225°F (105°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the meringue into a pastry bag. Pipe (we use an Ateco 866 tip) rounds onto the prepared parchment-lined sheet pans, leaving about 1-inch between each cookie. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. Rotate the pans half way through the baking process. Remove from the oven when meringues are completely dry. After resting a few minutes, you can easily lift the cookies off the baking sheet onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

10 Comments

  • Rhea maria T
    Rhea maria T
    Hello, What could be a good substitute for cream of tartar? Thank you :)
  • Fran C
    Fran C Rouxbe Staff
    Rhea Maria, You may use 1/2 tsp of lemon juice or white vinegar one or the to replace the cream of tartar.
  • Kristin t. Ø
    Kristin t. Ø
    I usually use coconut sugar in my cooking. Are there any subs for the sugar in this recipe? I am not too sure about beet sugar nor cane sugar as being vegan or GMO free? I can find organic sugar here, but not sure it is vegan.
  • Fran C
    Fran C Rouxbe Staff
    Hi Kristin, Beet sugar is vegan, but rarely GMO free. I use organic cane sugar which is vegan. I find coconut sugar does not work well in aquafaba meringues. You can certainly experiment and let me know. Enjoy! Fran
  • Dana W
    Dana W
    Can one use date sugar? It has a low glycemic index. Thank you Fran for all you do for a healthier dessert menu!
  • Fran C
    Fran C Rouxbe Staff
    Dana, Date sugar will not work. To make successful meringue cookies, super fine vegan cane sugar must be used. It is better to find another recipe to suit your lifestyle. Thanks for your good question Fran
  • Valerie H
    Valerie H
    Is chickpea liquid the liquid that is in the can with the chickpeas? Should I be worried about high glyphosate levels in the can?
  • Char N
    Char N Rouxbe Staff
    Valerie-- That is a valid question. I only use organic garbanzo beans, whose scant (barely detectable) levels are less in organic beans. I hope this helps. Thanks for writing. Char
  • Carmen S
    Carmen S
    Can i substitute chickpeas water? I am allergic to legumes.
  • Fran C
    Fran C Rouxbe Staff
    The chickpea water, which is an actual subsitute for egg whites. I have seen some recipes using flax gel (strained) to make vegan meringue. I have not tested this but it is worth a try. Please let us know how it goes for you.

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