It’s nearly Easter, which means a long weekend off work, lots of chocolate, hot cross buns, bunny rabbits and Easter chicks. I decided to celebrate Easter by making these meringue nests (the nest is the loose Easter connection) and hosting a little Lindt chocolate giveaway.
I’ve made Italian meringue and Swiss meringue so many times that I find it so simple I don’t even give it a second thought. French meringue however is something that I really struggle with. To make these meringue nests I attempted three batches of French meringue before I got it right.
I’d used all of the eggs I had and nearly all of my positive thinking. So I dashed to the shop around the corner, only to get caught in a freak rain shower on the way back! After drying my hair off with a tea-towel and a watch of this video, I felt ready to try again. If by this point it didn’t work, I had decided to do the mature thing, give up and pick a different recipe.
The problem I seemed to have was that I under whipped the egg whites before adding the sugar. By not whipping to the ‘soft peak’ stage as set out in the video before adding the sugar, I was creating a glossy runny meringue that wouldn’t whip any further. It was impossible to pipe and couldn’t be rescued.
Now that I’ve finally got it right, I need to make French meringue more so that I can get really confident with it. I have a feeling I might have some more failures before I completely master this kind of meringue.
I decided to add a little rose extract to the meringue mixture to give it a subtle floral hint, it made them taste very delicate and they would work really well as bite size meringues.
I served these with a raspberry creme diplomat. This is a mix of raspberry puree spiked with Chambord, mixed with creme patissiere, whipped double cream and some gelatine to help it set. The creme is really easy to make and should really be used within 24 hours.
Once the meringue nests are filled with the creme diplomat they will start to soften and the meringue will break down. So don’t fill these too long before you’re ready to serve them.
I decorated the meringue nests with freeze-dried raspberry powder from Sous Chef and rose petals from Waitrose as I wanted to keep them looking delicate and feminine. They would also be really nice decorated with fresh raspberries, like a sort of Eton Mess.
Here’s the recipe for the Rose & Raspberry Meringue Nests:
ROSE & RASPBERRY MERINGUE NESTS
Ingredients
- ***Raspberry Puree***
- 150 g Frozen Raspberries
- 35 g Caster Sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp <a href="http://www.chambordchannel.com/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.chambordchannel.com/">Chambord</a>
- ***Creme Diplomat***
- 250 ml Milk
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 60 g Egg Yolk
- 75 g Caster Sugar
- 25 g Plain Flour
- 2 g Leaf Gelatine
- 150 ml Double Cream
- ***Meringue Nests***
- 150 g Egg Whites approx 5 eggs
- 200 g Caster Sugar
- 1-2 Drops of <a href="http://www.holylamaspicedrops.com/product/rose-extract/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.holylamaspicedrops.com/product/rose-extract/">Holy Lama Rose Extract</a>
- 100 g Icing Sugar Sifted
- ***To decorate***
- <a href="http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=312275" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=312275">Waitrose Rose Petals</a>
- <a href="http://www.souschef.co.uk/natural-raspberry-powder.html" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.souschef.co.uk/natural-raspberry-powder.html">Freeze-dried Powdered Raspberries</a>
Instructions
- ***Meringue nests***
- Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper and draw 6 circles on each sheet of paper that are 7.5cm in diameter.
- Put the egg whites in the bowl of a food mixer and whisk until they begin to foam.
- Add half the caster sugar and whisk to form soft peaks.
- Continue to whisk and add the remaining sugar a little at a time, whisk to form a stiff meringue, then gently stir through the rose extract.
- Fold in the icing sugar and then place the meringue in a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and pipe nests onto a prepared baking tray, or use a spoon to heap mounds of meringue into the circles and create a dip with the spoon so that they have a nest appearance.
- Bake in a pre-heated oven at 90C Fan for 2 hours.
- ***Raspberry Puree***
- Put the raspberries and caster sugar in a saucepan and heat until the raspberries break down. Strain the raspberries through a sieve to remove the seeds and keep the puree, then add the chambord and stir it into the puree.
- ***Creme Diplomat***
- Place the gelatine in a bowl of cold water and leave to soak.
- Bring the milk, vanilla pod and seeds or extract to a boil in a saucepan over a medium heat.
- Remove from the heat and let infuse for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile combine the sugar and flour in a medium bowl. Add the egg yolks.
- Whisk just until the sugar is combined, do not let it get too pale.
- Whisk a third of the milk into the egg mixture to loosen it.
- Whisk in the remaining milk and return the mixture to the saucepan, straining it through a fine sieve and cook over a medium heat, whisking constantly.
- As soon as the pastry cream begins to thicken, remove it from the heat and stir until thickened. squeeze the water out of the gelatine and stir it into the creme patissiere until dissolved, then stir in the raspberry puree until thoroughly mixed.
- Scrape the pastry cream into a bowl and cover with a layer of clingfilm, pressing it down so it touches the surface of the cream. This will stop a skin forming. Allow to chill completely.
- Whip the double cream until it is semi-whipped and then fold it into the creme patissiere, place the cream in the fridge for an hour to firm up.
- When the meringues are cooked, allow them to cool and then pipe or spoon the creme into the meringue nests. Decorate with rose petals and dust freeze-dried raspberry powder over the meringues.
- Once you've filled the meringues they need to be eaten immediately, as the meringue will begin to dissolve. Alternatively store the nests in an airtight container so you can fill them at a later date.
To celebrate Easter I have a giveaway of some delicious Lindt chocolate, the giveaway includes the following prizes worth over £35.00:
- Lindor Strawberries & Cream Truffles (200g)
- Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Shell Egg (220g)
- Lindt Taste of Spring Flame Easter Egg (57g)
- Lindt Taste of Spring Praline Box (120g)
- Lindt Gold Bunny, White, Dark, Hazelnut and Milk (100g each)
You can enter using the various ways below, this is a UK only competition and Good Luck!
[gleam url="hhttps://gleam.io/FFHyk/lindt-easter-chocolate-giveaway"]Lindt Easter Chocolate Giveaway![/gleam]
Do you have anything planned for the Easter weekend? Or are you just going to eat your bodyweight in Chocolate?
Thanks for reading.
Angela
Bert Scott
please measurements in cups or teaspoons so we can get the right amounts of ingredients for the recipes
patisseriemakesperfect
Hi Bert – I’m afraid I do not provide my recipes in cups or teaspoons as these are not an accurate form of measurement and do not guarantee the accuracy needed to produce these recipes.
Also, it’s easier to get a set of weighing scales and there’s much less washing up than using cups! Thanks
Lucy - BakingQueen74
Your nests look delicious and the flavours of the raspberry Creme diplomat filling sound lovely. Must try this one day soon!
PatisserieMakesPerfect
Thank you Lucy! The raspberry creme diplomat is so delicious and I love the delicate pink colour.
Jodie Dodd
btw, those nests are so cute! very creative!
Jodie Dodd
I spent Easter eating way too much! Now I’m indulging in leftovers, especially apple strudel. 🙂 Hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter Angela! xx
PatisserieMakesPerfect
Thank you Jodie! Hope you had a wonderful Easter too and thanks for the comments about the nests! xx
kat walsh
Annual family easter bonnet making competition
Elizabeth (Liz) Briggs
Visiting Family and Easter Egg Hunts with the children x
Lisa Wilkinson
Went to the coast for fish & chips and a walk along the beach
Mia D Clarke
Enjoying Chocolate and family time
Lila B Taylor
Been out walking on the beaches in Cornwall and had a big family roast
michelle moore
catching up on house work and relaxing
tammy
Egg hunts and time with family
leanne williams
off to scotland to visit relatives – leanne w
Badger McG
Getting out on the bikes if the weather will permit. Time to shake off the Winter layer and get Summer fit 🙂
valbuk
the meringue nests look so good.
soozybee
Yummy
Lucy Connor
I’m doing the National Trust hunt, a home hunt, and some baking 🙂
Tanita Dighton
Were be making easter cupcakes :)!! x
Louise Smith
Several National Trust visits for Easter Egg hunts and activities
Mrs Broomfield
I’m planning an Easter egg hunt for my children in the garden and hoping for good weather!
Maxine
Am working for some of the weekend unfortunately, but have Easter Monday off and intend to spend it eating chocolate (if the rest of the family have left me any!)
MrRichTea
Got family up – it’s my baby boy’s 1st Birthday too 🙂
Justine Meyer
off to scotland to visit relatives x
Melanie Edjourian
If only, I am on a diet but the kids might between them
tabbaz
Just love easter egg hunts – such fun for all the family
Mohammed Ruhul Amin
Hoping to spend time with the kids now that they’ve got some time off
Teresa Lee
Hopefully a family day out if the weather isn’t too bad
anthony harrington
I am looking forward to my Chocolate Button Easter Egg!
Eramys Pepper
We might go and see lambs at the local National Trust farm 🙂
Rachie Littleme
We are going Alpaca trekking! So exciting! 🙂
Emma Nixon
Eat lots of Choccie and relax
Gemma Snell
Delicious prize thanks for the chance
Jaye- Cardiff in a Tea Cup
I’ll definitely give these a go! I’ve got a meal out with family planned. I hope you have something nice planned too.
PatisserieMakesPerfect
Have a lovely meal Jaye! I have a birthday party to go to and some baking and chores to get on with – I’ll be happy getting on with most of it, minus the chores. x
su tyler
Going to have a nice quiet Easter Weekend.. well unless the grandsons come in which case it’ll be bedlam!!
L.Clarke
We are having a dinner party and serving rib of beef, Yorkshire puds and lots of different vegetables. For dessert I am making a mixed berry and chocolate entremet with a chocolate miroir glaze.
louise
Easter will be a family affair with plenty of food and activities and yes I will probably eat my bodyweight in Chocolate…lol
Lynsey Buchanan
GReat Giveaway thank you
christineshelley
Love your creations.mine will be much less tasty
Alica
Lots of chocolate whilst relaxing with my family 🙂
geezerbird44
Eating lots of chocolate AND a big roast dinner
Eleanor Beavan
As well as eating my bodyweight in chocolate, I shall be going to a big family get together which we always have at Easter at which I shall probably consume my bodyweight in drink too !
Louise Comb
On Good Friday I’m singing with my community choir at an RSPB gig. The rest of the holiday, yep, I’ll probably try to eat my weight in chocolate 😉
G13NN H
Sweet prize…
Stacey Tripconey
Very tasty prize!
Gemma Brown
they look lovely!
gabby evans
great giveaway lovely site x
Mary Hutton
Lovely prize, really looking forward to my chocolate this Easter as I’ve been off it for lent xx
Rosalind Sargent
we always have a Christmas dinner at easter including the Pudding …well why not
Lisa Everaert
This recipe look scrummy!! will have to try it, the kids will love them (and me of course).
Elizabeth Hinds
Brilliant giveaway! I will be creating the traditional Easter Egg Hunt for my daughters and then making a big Sunday dinner 🙂
Jodie Crossley
big sunday dinner and an easter egg hunt
Hayley Boyles
I will be eating lots of things including Chocolate, Easter egg hunt for the children and having our traditional family party at my mums house.I truly love Easter !!
Kate Gorlacheva
I am cooking easter dinner for family, so not much rest for me
Lisa Ellert
quiet weekend with my other half and kids
Zoe Goulding
Thank you got a fab competition, your recipe looks yummy
Kirsten Stewart
I’ll be keeping it quiet over the Easter weekend as I’m off to Germany for a week next Wednesday! Woohoo!
Andrew Petrie
What I have planned for Easter weekend revolves around some serious over-indulgence.
Gina Raymond
I’m planning to take the children for a picnic on the beach then we’re coming home for an Easter egg hunt 🙂
Michelle
I’m looking after someone who is ill so we haven’t made any special plans this year but have got the childrens easter eggs already and they will probably treat their mom to one (finger’s crossed)
Frances Heaton
The recipes look great and have given me some super ideas for Easter.
Mari Sutherland
Spring cleaning the house and eating chocolate!
Kelly glen
A great giveaway and the recipe looks yummy.
Tracy K Nixon
Lovely recipe and giveaway thank you!
Fiona
Great prize
Lorna Kennedy
Haven’t made meringues for ages, might just remedy that this weekend….
ashleigh allan
great prize
Siobhan Davis
Fantastic giveaway, Best of luck everyone x
Amelia Kennedy
What lovely looking meringues! Wish mine looked like that x
Tracy Steer
fab
Paul
They look delicious!
Heather Haigh
The meringue nests look beautiful and who can resist chocolate bunnies?
Paul Wilson
Great stuff
Fiona
what a fab prize!
Tracey Peach
Yum Chocolate! xxx
Lucy Parissi
I was thinking today that I must make some meringues again – you literally read my mind! They look utterly delicious.
PatisserieMakesPerfect
Thanks so much Lucy. I had such trouble with these meringues. It’s so strange that often the simplest things in the kitchen are what trip you up in the end!