14 Meringue Desserts So Light and Dreamy They Taste Like Sweet Clouds

There is something magical about meringue desserts. You start with plain egg whites and sugar, and a few minutes later you have glossy white clouds that bake into something crisp on the outside and soft like marshmallow inside. Grandma made them look easy, and honestly, they are. Below are our favorite meringue desserts, from a showstopper pavlova to tiny kisses you can pop in a jar. Which one will you whip up first..

Classic Strawberry Pavlova, the Queen of Meringue Desserts

If you only try one of these meringue desserts, make it this one. A pavlova is a big crisp meringue shell with a soft, marshmallow middle, piled high with whipped cream and juicy strawberries. It looks like it came from a fancy bakery, but it only needs a few pantry basics and a little patience while it cools in the oven. Every slice gives you crunch, cream and fruit in one bite. Would you add strawberries only, or a mix of berries?

You will need: Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups sliced strawberries.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 250F. 2. Beat the egg whites to soft peaks, then add the sugar slowly until glossy. 3. Fold in vinegar, cornstarch and vanilla. 4. Spread into an 8 inch circle on parchment. 5. Bake 75 minutes, then cool in the closed oven. 6. Top with whipped cream and berries just before serving.

Berry Pavlova for a Holiday Table

A berry pavlova is the dessert that makes guests stop talking when you carry it in. The base is the same crisp meringue, but this time you crown it with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries for a red, white and blue look. It works for Christmas, birthdays or a simple Sunday. The trick is to add the cream and fruit at the last minute so the shell stays crunchy.

You will need: Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups mixed berries, mint leaves.

How to make it: 1. Make the meringue and shape a tall round nest. 2. Bake at 250F for 75 minutes. 3. Let it cool fully inside the oven. 4. Whip the cream softly. 5. Spoon it on top and pile on the berries and mint.

Eton Mess, the Easiest of All Meringue Desserts

Eton mess is what happens when a pavlova breaks, and nobody minds at all. You simply crush crisp meringue into pieces and fold it with whipped cream and berries. It is a classic English summer treat, but it works all year with frozen berries. Quick poll: which fruit wins in your Eton mess? A) strawberries B) raspberries C) mixed berries D) mango.

You will need: Ingredients: 2 cups crushed meringue pieces, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 cups berries, 1 tbsp lemon juice.

How to make it: 1. Mash half the berries with sugar and lemon juice. 2. Whip the cream to soft peaks. 3. Fold in the crushed meringue and the mashed berries. 4. Spoon into glasses. 5. Top with whole berries and serve right away.

Lemon Meringue Pie Like Grandma Made

Few meringue desserts bring back memories like lemon meringue pie. A buttery crust holds a sharp, sunny lemon filling, and a tall cloud of toasted meringue sits on top. The secret is spreading the meringue over the filling while it is still hot, right to the edges of the crust, so it does not weep or shrink. Did your family serve this at Easter, Thanksgiving or just because?

You will need: Ingredients: 1 baked pie crust, 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cornstarch, 1.5 cups water, 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup lemon juice, lemon zest, 2 tbsp butter. Meringue: 4 egg whites, 1/2 cup sugar.

How to make it: 1. Cook sugar, cornstarch and water until thick. 2. Temper in the yolks, then add lemon, zest and butter. 3. Pour into the crust. 4. Beat the whites and sugar to stiff peaks. 5. Spread over the hot filling and bake at 350F for 12 minutes.

Pastel Meringue Kisses, Tiny Meringue Desserts to Gift

These little kisses are crisp, sweet and melt the second they touch your tongue. Kids love them, and they make a lovely gift in a glass jar. Pipe them small with a star tip and add a drop of food coloring for soft pink or lilac swirls. Kept in an airtight tin, they stay crisp for up to two weeks. What color would you make yours?

You will need: Ingredients: 3 egg whites, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, gel food coloring.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 225F. 2. Beat whites and cream of tartar until foamy. 3. Add sugar slowly until stiff and glossy. 4. Add vanilla and a touch of color. 5. Pipe small kisses onto parchment. 6. Bake 60 to 75 minutes and cool in the oven.

Lemon Meringue Tartlets

Love lemon meringue pie but want something you can eat with your hands? These tartlets are the answer. Mini pastry shells get a spoon of tangy lemon curd and a tall swirl of meringue that you toast with a kitchen torch or under the broiler. They are perfect for a party tray because everyone gets their own.

You will need: Ingredients: 12 mini tart shells, 1 cup lemon curd, 3 egg whites, 3/4 cup sugar, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Bake the tart shells until golden and let them cool. 2. Fill each one with lemon curd. 3. Whisk egg whites and sugar over simmering water until warm. 4. Beat until thick and glossy. 5. Pipe a swirl on each tart. 6. Toast with a torch or broil for 1 minute.

Chocolate Pavlova With Peaches

Chocolate lovers, this one is for you. Folding cocoa and chopped dark chocolate into the meringue gives you a pavlova that tastes like a brownie and a cloud had a baby. Top it with juicy peaches or apricots and a drizzle of melted chocolate. It is rich, but still feels light. Would you pick chocolate or classic vanilla pavlova?

You will need: Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp vinegar, 2 oz chopped dark chocolate, 1 cup cream, 2 sliced peaches.

How to make it: 1. Beat whites and sugar to stiff glossy peaks. 2. Sift in the cocoa, add vinegar and chocolate, and fold gently. 3. Shape into a round on parchment. 4. Bake at 250F for 75 minutes and cool in the oven. 5. Top with cream, peaches and melted chocolate.

Mini Pavlovas, Easy Meringue Desserts for a Crowd

Mini pavlovas are one of the smartest meringue desserts for parties. You make them up to two days ahead, keep them in a tin, and add cream and fruit right before guests arrive. Every person gets a perfect little nest, and nobody has to fight over the middle piece. Set out bowls of toppings and let everyone build their own.

You will need: Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 cup whipped cream, fresh berries.

How to make it: 1. Make the meringue mix. 2. Spoon 10 small mounds onto parchment and make a dip in each. 3. Bake at 250F for 45 minutes. 4. Cool in the oven. 5. Fill with whipped cream and berries before serving.

Blueberry Lemon Curd Nests

These pretty nests hide a little surprise: a spoon of lemon curd under the cream. The tart curd cuts the sweetness of the meringue, and fresh blueberries add a pop of color. Add a few plum slices in the fall for a seasonal twist. Small, elegant and so easy to plate for a dinner party.

You will need: Ingredients: 8 baked meringue nests, 1/2 cup lemon curd, 1 cup whipped cream, 1 cup blueberries, 2 plums, mint.

How to make it: 1. Bake or buy small meringue nests. 2. Spoon a little lemon curd into each one. 3. Add a swirl of whipped cream. 4. Top with blueberries and thin plum slices. 5. Finish with a mint leaf and serve within an hour.

Meringue Roulade With Cream

A meringue roulade looks impressive, but it is easier than a sponge cake roll. The meringue bakes in a sheet pan for just 20 minutes, then you roll it around whipped cream and fruit. The outside is crisp, the inside is soft and fluffy, and every slice shows a pretty swirl. Have you ever tried a roulade made from meringue instead of cake?

You will need: Ingredients: 5 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp vinegar, 1.5 cups heavy cream, 1 cup raspberries, powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Line a sheet pan with parchment. 2. Spread the meringue evenly. 3. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes. 4. Flip onto sugared parchment and cool. 5. Spread cream and berries on top. 6. Roll up from the long side and chill for 30 minutes.

Christmas Pavlova Wreath, Holiday Meringue Desserts at Their Best

Shape your meringue into a ring and you have an edible Christmas wreath. Top it with cream, red cherries or pomegranate seeds, and a few mint leaves for the green. A little red ribbon makes it ready for the holiday table. It is lighter than most Christmas puddings, which everyone will thank you for after a big dinner.

You will need: Ingredients: 5 egg whites, 1.25 cups sugar, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1.5 cups whipped cream, cherries, pomegranate seeds, mint.

How to make it: 1. Draw a 10 inch circle on parchment. 2. Spoon the meringue around it in a ring. 3. Bake at 250F for 75 minutes and cool in the oven. 4. Pipe cream all around. 5. Decorate with cherries, pomegranate and mint.

Swirled Rainbow Meringues

These big swirled meringues look like works of art, but the trick is simple. Paint stripes of gel color inside the piping bag before you fill it, and every meringue comes out with bright ribbons of color. They are perfect for birthday parties or a baby shower. Quick poll: what is your favorite color combo? A) pink and blue B) orange and purple C) all the rainbow D) plain white.

You will need: Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 gel food colors.

How to make it: 1. Beat whites and cream of tartar until foamy. 2. Add sugar slowly until stiff and glossy. 3. Paint color stripes inside a piping bag. 4. Fill the bag and pipe large swirls. 5. Bake at 225F for 90 minutes. 6. Cool in the oven.

Raspberry Meringue Bars

These bars stack a buttery shortbread base, a layer of tart raspberry jam and a fluffy meringue top that bakes until golden. Cut them into squares and you have a bake sale winner. They taste like a jam tart and a pavlova in one bite, and they hold well in a lunch box.

You will need: Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup raspberry jam, 3 egg whites, 3/4 cup sugar, sliced almonds.

How to make it: 1. Press flour, butter and sugar into an 8 inch pan. 2. Bake at 350F for 18 minutes. 3. Spread the jam on top. 4. Beat whites and sugar to stiff peaks and spread over the jam. 5. Add almonds and bake 15 minutes more. 6. Cool before cutting.

Peach Melba Meringue Nests

Peach Melba is an old French classic of peaches, raspberry sauce and cream. Spoon it into crisp nests and it becomes one of the prettiest meringue desserts you can make in 15 minutes. Canned peaches work fine in winter. Which would you choose for dessert tonight: peach melba nests or chocolate pavlova? Hungry for more? Try our custard desserts next.

You will need: Ingredients: 8 meringue nests, 2 ripe or canned peaches, 1 cup raspberries, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 cup whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

How to make it: 1. Blend raspberries with sugar and strain to make a sauce. 2. Slice the peaches thin. 3. Fill each nest with cream or a small scoop of ice cream. 4. Add peach slices on top. 5. Drizzle with raspberry sauce and serve.