Spring Meringue Wreaths and Nests

Treat your family to a spring wreath and nests made with meringue puffs filled with fresh flowers, berries and spring colored candies. If you don’t have cocoa powder or chocolate chunks on hand as we shelter-in-place you can still whip up this lovely wreath and nests. If you don’t have a piping bag and star tip, simply dollop large mounds onto parchment and use the back of your spoon to make an indentation in the center. I hope these sweet treats bring joy to your blessed day.

Spring Meringue Wreath and Nests

Servings: Makes 12 nests or one large wreath

6 egg whites

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into thin chips

Special equipment: parchment, piping bag fitted with an extra-large star tip

1. Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. For the wreath trace an 8-inch circle in pencil on the parchment and place tracing side down. For the nests line two baking sheets with parchment.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites, cornstarch and salt on medium speed until frothy, 1-2 minutes.

3. While beating the egg whites, slowly add the granulated sugar and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 5-7 minutes. Slowly add the powdered sugar and beat on high speed until glossy and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.

4. Fold the cocoa powder and chocolate into the egg whites to create chocolate streaks. Only use 3-4 strokes when folding.

5. Spoon meringue into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Attach the parchment to the baking sheet by piping a small dot of meringue on each corner of the baking sheet and set the parchment directly onto the dots. Press gently to attach.

6. For the wreath, use the 8- inch circle on the parchment as a guide. Along the outer edges of traced ring pipe 9 evenly spaced rings onto the parchment (each about 2 1/2 inches in diameter), lightly touching each other. Use any left over meringue to make mini nests.

For the nests, simply pipe 2 1/2 inch circles onto the parchment about 2 inches apart. Pipe among the two lined baking sheets.

7. Bake until dry and firm, 1-1 1/2 hours. Let cool completely.

8. Gently slide spatula under wreath to loosen from parchment. Using two large spatulas transfer wreath to serving platter. Individual nests can be transferred to serving platter. Decorate with fresh flowers and spring colored candies. If serving with cut or sliced berries that release juices, add berries right before serving. If serving with whole berries that don’t release juices, fill an hour before serving.