Today is one of my favourite days of the year. No there are no presents involved but there is Christmas cheer a-plenty. It's Tree Day! December 1 is the day our Christmas tree goes up and it officially begins to look a lot like Christmas in our little house. I've already elfed up the entrance to our building with tinsel and baubles and can't wait to get started on the tree.
As is tradition (for the last four years anyway) I have a ham in the fridge ready to be baked this afternoon while we put up the tree. The smell of it baking away in the oven makes the whole place smell wonderful.
For dessert, I'm thinking a little eton mess made with my chocolate cinnamon merinuges, some cream, a little ice-cream and some berries and finished off with chocolate sauce. Sounds perfect to me!
The crisp sweet outer shell cracks with the gentlest of bites to reveal the soft marshmallow-like centre. My chocolate cinnamon meringues will melt in your mouth and leave you sorely tempted to go for your second. If you don't have all the ingredients on hand to make them eton mess style, they're good enough to be eaten on their own without hankering for a little bit of something more.
In Woolies this morning I saw egg whites in a carton. I knew you could buy them frozen but I hadn't seen them in liquid form before. They'd be great for making large quantities of meringue although I doubt they are free-range so I don't think I'll be buying them.
Start by beating the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Mix the sugar and cream of tartar together and then add 1 tablespoon of it at a time to the egg whites beating it well before adding the next spoon full.
Once it has all been added, up the mixer to medium speed and keep beating until the mixture is thick and glossy. To check if it's well enough mixed, rub a little between your fingers. If it's smooth, it's ready, it if's still grainy then keep mixing until it turns silky.
Stir the cinnamon into the cocoa and take the egg white bowl off the stand. Sift the cocoa and cinnamon over the top and then very carefully fold it through until the mixture is marbled. Don't over-mix or you won't have pretty swirled meringues.
Spoon heaped tablespoons of mixture onto the baking tray and then pop it in the oven. Immediately turn the temperature down to 100C fan-forced and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until they are firm.
Meringues need to be cooled completely in the oven so make sure you have all your other cooking done for the day before you start. Crack the oven door open a little and then leave them to cool. It will take at least 3 hours.
Meringues keep for quite a while as long as they're stored in an airtight container. Serve them piled high for a fancy addition to a dessert table, topped with a little whipped cream and berries for a twist on pavlova or make mini versions to complement your coffee. However you make them you're sure to love them. Enjoy!
What about you? Are you putting up your Christmas tree today? What are your traditions in the lead up to Christmas?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoon cocoa
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 130C fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until soft peaks form.
- Mix the sugar and cream of tartar together then with the mixer running, add one tablespoon of the mixture at a time to the egg whites mixing well between each addition.
- When all the sugar has been added turn the speed up to medium and beat for a further few minutes until the mixture is thick and glossy.
- Test if it's ready for baking by rubbing a little of the batter between your fingers. If it's smooth, it's ready, if not, keep beating until it is smooth.
- Cake the bowl off the stand.
- Mix the cocoa and cinnamon together and then sift over the meringue.
- Carefully fold it through to create a chocolate swirl.
- Spoon heaped tablespoons of mixture onto the lined baking tray.
- Put the tray in the oven and turn the temperature down to 100C fan-forced.
- Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Open the oven just a little and leave the meringues to cool completely in the oven. It will take at least 3 hours.
- Store in an airtight container.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I've never had a meringue! I need to try this - it looks so good! But I love your Christmas tree tradition - we put ours up after Thanksgiving and the kids were so into it this year.
Claire says
Never had a meringue?! Stephanie you get in the kitchen and make them immediately!
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
Those meringues look fantastic Claire! Meringues are so Christmassy for me as my Mum used to make them when we were growing up.
Celia says
Claire, they look SO good!! Nice to know Woolies have egg whites in a carton, although as you say, they're unlikely to be free range (which is a shame!). x
Claire says
If they were I'd buy them in a flash!
Jess says
Happy Tree Day to you friend! Isn't it great how the tree brings in the holidays with a great big, exciting burst!? I haven't made meringues in ages, but I love the cinnamon-chocolate combo!
Claire says
It is indeed. You can't help but smile looking at a Christmas tree.
The Life of Clare says
Our tree went up yesterday! Best day ever! It makes me so excited about Christmas!
Claire says
I totally agree Clare! I get so much excitement turning the lights on every evening.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Claire, these are magnificent! And guess what? We're doing our tree today too! I'm making a salmon risotto that is quite delicious but I have nothing to compare to your fabulous dessert! Do you do mail orders?
Claire says
I don't think it would make it all the way over there but I most certainly take visitors! Look forward to seeing your tree!
Marcia says
The kids put the tree up yesterday so we are now starting to look like Christmas too. I am doing a roast turkey dinner tonight so I am definitely getting in the spirit of Christmas.
Claire says
Ooh a roast turkey dinner sounds lovely Marcia! Tonight we'll be having ham on our usual Sunday pizza
Hotly Spiced says
What beautiful looking meringues and I love the sound of your tradition with the tree and ham. Looking forward to a few images in due course! xx
Claire says
Yes of course Charlie!
JJ @ 84thand3rd says
They look gorgeous Claire, I'm a huge fan of mini things instead of something big that has to be cut, meringues are no exception! What great tradition for Christmas :)
Claire says
Thanks JJ. I'm so glad I started it. It's nice to have ham before Christmas day. Although this year I'll be making 3!