Meringue Christmas trees

Makes 50+

Ingredients

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
1 cup dark chocolate, melted
3-4 candy canes

Method

Step 1. Preheat oven to 120°C (100°C fan-forced). Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Mix in salt and cream of tartar. With the mixer running, very slowly add sugar a little at a time to form stiff peaks.

Step 2. Place meringue into a piping bag with a large star nozzle attached. Line two large oven trays with baking paper. Begin by piping a large dot approximately the size of a 20 cent coin. Then pipe a smaller dot on top, and a third smaller one to finish. Continue until you have used all the meringue. Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Turn the oven off and leave the meringues to cool for at least 2 hours.

Step 3. Dip the cooked meringue trees in the melted chocolate and place on a tray lined with baking paper. Allow chocolate to set.

Step 4. Crush candy canes in a food processor or mortar and pestle to form a fine powder. Sprinkle over meringues.

Find related sweet Christmas recipes

Serving Suggestions

Note

Begin this recipe well ahead of time – the meringues cook for a long time at a very low temperature, and they need to be left in the oven to cool.
This recipe makes plenty of little trees, so take your time getting your piping technique right.
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This recipe was created for Kidspot, New Zealand's best recipe finder by Greer Worsley, who blogs at Typically Red.