Italian Meringue

Italian meringue uses hot sugar syrup instead of dry sugar. Because the sugar is completely dissolved the meringue is divinely smooth, like silk. Also this meringue is strong and thus more versatile.

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Planning

  • Prep Time:

    10 minutes

  • Bake/Cook Time:

    10 minutes for syrup

  • Chill/Set Time:

  • Servings:

    8 (1/2c each) or 4c Meringue The right amount for my macaron recipe.

Preparation

  • Materials

    Stand Mixer with Whisk and Paddle
    Hand Mixer with whisk
    Hand whisk
    Melting Pot for Syrup
    Candy Thermometer

  • Prep

    Set eggs out to bring them to room temperature
    Separate the eggs - Put the yolks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    Strain the egg whites and set in a bowl on the counter at room temp for 30 minutes to dry a little more.
    Boil water for making syrup.
    Add the boiling water and sugar to the metling pot and stir. Let it set on the stove until you are ready to cook it.
    Warm mixing bowl and whisks in oven on low (200-225F) 1 min or less to take the chill off.

  • Heat

    Preheat to 200F (for warming utensils)

  • Shopping List

    Granulated Sugar
    Confectioner’s Sugar
    Cream of Tartar
    Eggs (large)
    Gel Food Coloring (Optional)
    Flavoring (Optional)

Method

  • Simple Syrup aka Hot Sugar Syrup

    Granulated Sugar  250g Boiling Water 125g

  • Simple Syrup aka Hot Sugar Syrup

    Pro Tip: Time the preparation of the egg whites and the sugar syrup together.

    Note: The ratio of water to sugar for syrup is 2:1This process should take about 10-15 minutes.

    STEP 1: Put the boiling water and the granulated sugar in the melting pot on the stove. The burner should be covered with foil to protect it.

    STEP 2: Melt the sugar in the water on medium-high while stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar thoroughly in the water. When all of the sugar is dissolved the liquid will be completely clear.

    STEP 3: Cook the mixture on medium without stirring. DO NOT STIR. 

    STEP 4: Let it start bubbling and as soon as it reaches a low boil, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer to cook out water and it thicken. Don’t let it get too hot.

    As it starts getting hotter reduce the temperature a little to keep it at a gentle heat. There should be some bubble but no increasing height, rolling, or sputtering.

    STEP 5: When it reaches 210F add in any color or flavoring. Start whipping the egg whites for the meringue

    STEP 6: When it reaches 230F drizzle the hot syrup slowly into the meringue while whisking on medium low - you don’t want it to splatter.

    It should be “soft ball”:stage - thick but still liquid and easily pourable. Do not let it reach hardball stage. This is where it becomes heavy thick and a sticky mess.

Method

  • Meringue

    Egg Whites 110g (Strained) (6 to 9 eggs)
    Cream of Tartar 3g (½ tsp)
    Confectioner’s Sugar 6 tbsp 
    Hot Sugar Syrup
    Corn Starch 1 tsp (if you need more thickening)

  • Meringue

    This process should take about 10-15 minutes. The hot sugar syrup is what gives the Italian meringue its glossiness and stability.

    STEP 1: Put the egg whites in the bowl of the stand mixer and start mixing on medium-low.

    STEP 2: Whisk in the cream of tartar and then 2 tbsp of confectioner’s sugar a bit at a time, dissolving each portion before adding more until it is all incorporated and dissolved.

    STEP 3: Increase mixer speed to medium, then medium-high (about 6-8 on a Kitchen Aid mixer). Continue to whip on high  (level 8-10 on a Kitchen Aid) to a strong soft peak.

    STEP 4: Once you have a strong soft peak, the meringue is ready for the syrup. If the syrup is not quite ready, drop the mixer speed to low while you wait on the syrup.

    You really want to time it so that the meringue is at soft peak and the syrup is at soft ball stage at the same time.

    You have added any color or flavor to the hot syrup. If you didn't mix it in before adding the hot sugar syrup.

    STEP 5: Slowly drizzle in a very thin stream of  the hot syrup with the mixer on level 6-8.

    Decrease and increase speed if you need to. You don’t want hot syrup splatter. Aim for the space between the mixer and the rim of the mixing bowl.

    Keep scraping down the sides of he bowl frequently.



    STEP 6: Whisk to a firm peak (like a ball in the whisk with a space needle sticking up).

Putting it Together

  • Assembly

  • Notes

  •  Applications & Plating Pairings
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