I have a special treat for you today. A recipe and tutorial on making these adorable Meringue Birds & Nests. I'd love to take credit for these adorable little birds, but this is a contributor creation (though I plan to make my own version with the guidance she has provided for us).
The little meringue birds are delicately tinted a pale yellow and are lemon flavored. They sit upon cocoa meringue nests.
To add color & variety, and perhaps because they are easy to churn out, the meringue birds are accompanied by simple nests with candy eggs in them. I think they provided a lovely contrast & compliment the little spring birds well.
These are a perfect Easter sweet on their own, but would make delightful cake decoration, as well. The meringue nests are simple and fun to create. They require just a few ingredients and are charming filled with small candy eggs. Piping the small lemon meringue birds is a little more intricate, but is not a complicated process, as you can see below.
You can make these pretty meringues a few days ahead, and keep them fresh in an airtight container.s They will then be ready to grace your Easter table or take their place atop your holiday desserts.
Meringue Birds & Nests Recipe and Tutorial
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites room temperature
- 7 tablespoons sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
- Small egg-shaped candy
Instructions
- Heat oven to 250F.
- Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine one tablespoon of sugar with the cocoa in a small dish and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until they are very stiff. (For best results, use room temperature egg whites and make sure your beaters and bowl are very clean.)
- Add 6 tablespoons of sugar to the beaten egg whites, one tablespoon at a time, beating well between each addition.
- Add the sugar/cocoa mixture. Beat until the meringue is very stiff.
- Using a pastry bag with a round decorating tip (like a Wilton #9 or #10) or in a plastic zipper bag with the tip cut off, pipe a flat circle on the parchment and then pipe around it, bringing up the sides to make the shape of a bird’s nest.
- Bake for one hour. Check the meringues, and if they still feel soft, turn the oven off and put the meringues back in for 15 minutes.
- Slide the parchment paper and nests onto a rack and allow the meringues to cool completely.
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites room temperature
- 7 tablespoons sugar
- A few drops lemon extract
- 1-2 drops yellow food coloring
Instructions
- Heat oven to 250F
- Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until they are very stiff. (For best results, use room temperature egg whites and make sure your beaters and bowl are very clean.)
- Add the sugar to the beaten egg whites one tablespoon at a time, beating well between each addition. Continue to beat until the mixture is very stiff.
- Mix in a few drops of lemon extract and a drop or two of yellow food coloring.
- Using a pastry bag with a round decorating tip (a Wilton #10 or #11) pipe the body of the bird. With the tip straight down, squeeze and lift slowly, allowing the mixture to build up around the tip, and then slowly raise the tip to a horizontal position, pulling backwards while releasing pressure, to create a pointy tail. The faster you do this the better it turns out! This may take a little practice, but this recipe makes a lot more birds than you will need, so you’ll be able to pick out the best ones later.
- Add small wings to either side of the bird by squeezing the pastry bag gently as you touch the bird and then pulling away quickly.
- Add a round head, letting the meringue build around the tip, and then pulling towards the front to create a small beak.
- Bake for one hour. Slide the parchment paper and birds onto racks to cool completely.
- If desired, use a toothpick dipped in melted chocolate to give the bird eyes, and paint or pipe orange on the beaks using a simple powdered sugar-water-orange food coloring mixture or melted orange candy melts.
Notes
Crystal Green says
These are absolutely adorable, and they turned out to be far easier to make than I expected them to be just by looking at the picture. Thanks for giving me an idea of how to make a cute Easter treat with my kids.
Colleen says
These are so cute and festive.
Kathleen B says
Those are just adorable, the little meringue birds are too cute!
Ty says
Those came out absolutely adorable!
vanessa: thequeenofswag says
These are adorable. I've been dying to make some meringue.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
I've been meaning to try my hand at making meringues on day. The birds are so cute!
Shell Feis says
Okay those are so cute it almost hurts! Love them &I really want to make them if I get the chance.
Lucero @We Are Earthformed says
These are so cute. My oldest who can't eat wheat would love making and eating these. My husband says I should do more projects like this with my girls.
Lisa says
Great tutorial - you have awesome skills! Those birds are too cute and the finished product looks adorably delicious!
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
These are gorgeous! I'm not sure if I'm talented enough to pull them off, but I'd sure like to try. 🙂 Pinned!
Donna says
You make it look easy, but I have a strong suspicion that mine would not turn out like yours. 🙂
Marcie W. says
Love these, but I struggle with meringue on simple pies, so these may be a job better suited for my artistically skilled hubs!
Antionette Blake says
These are absolutely adorable! Thank you for linking up with us at the #WWDParty and sharing this great recipe. Have a wonderful weekend!
Miz Helen says
Your Meringue Birds Nests look adorable! Thank you so much for sharing this special recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a fantastic week!
Miz Helen
Tammy says
Just made these! I tinted them blue though, they're for decoration for a boy baby shower cake. Thanks for the tutorial!