Lemon Meringue Kiss Cookies Recipe
Delight in these delicate Lemon Meringue Kiss Cookies featuring a light, airy texture and a bright citrus flavor. Perfectly crisp on the outside and tender inside, these cookies are made by whipping egg whites with sugar and fresh lemon zest, then slow-baking to achieve their signature melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Cookies
- 3 egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the meringues from sticking.
- Start Whipping Egg Whites: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the egg whites. Begin beating on medium-low speed until the egg whites appear foamy, indicating air incorporation has started.
- Add Cream of Tartar and Salt: Add the cream of tartar and salt to stabilize the egg whites. Continue beating on medium speed, which helps the mixture gain structure.
- Gradually Add Sugar: Slowly sprinkle in the sugar, ensuring it dissolves well. Adding it slowly prevents the meringue from becoming grainy and helps achieve a smooth, glossy texture.
- Whip to Stiff Peaks: Increase speed to high and beat until the meringue is thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks securely when the whisk is lifted.
- Fold in Flavors: Using a spatula, gently fold in the fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the meringue’s airiness.
- Pipe the Meringue: Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe about one teaspoon of the mixture per cookie onto the prepared baking sheets. Pipe them close together as they will not spread during baking.
- Bake Slowly: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 2 hours or until the meringues are hardened to the touch and no longer sticky.
- Cool Completely: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool fully on the sheets. Cooling ensures they firm up properly without cracking.
- Store Properly: Once cooled, store the lemon meringue kiss cookies in an airtight container to keep them crisp and fresh.
Notes
- Ensure egg whites are at room temperature to achieve maximum volume when whipped.
- Do not rush adding sugar; dissolve it gradually for a glossy meringue.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the brightest flavor.
- Keep baked cookies in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption and loss of crispness.
- These meringues are low fat and naturally gluten free, making them suitable for many diets.
Keywords: lemon meringue cookies, meringue kisses, citrus cookies, light lemon dessert, egg white cookies, gluten free cookies