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    Home » Desserts » Mini Meringues with Berries and Cream

    Mini Meringues with Berries and Cream

    Published: Jan 29, 2023 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

    747 shares
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    These Mini Meringues with Berries and Cream are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The melt-in-the-mouth Meringue Nests are filled with whipped cream and topped with fresh berries. The sweet crunch of the meringue contrasts with the smooth whipped cream and the sweet tang of the berry. They are tantalisingly irresistible!

    Mini meringue nests, with some cream and fresh berries, sitting on a tray.
    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love this recipe:
    • Ingredients in this recipe:
    • How to Make Mini Meringues:
    • Tips for success and FAQs:
    • Variations and substitutions:
    • Serving suggestions:
    • More delicious recipes for you to try:
    • Mini Meringues with Berries and Cream
    Star

    Why you’ll love this recipe:

    My Mini Meringue Nests are perfect for entertaining as you can make them ahead of time, have your toppings prepared, and assemble them shortly before serving.

    They are ideal finger food at a party as they don’t need a plate or cutlery.

    You will love the Mini Meringue Nests because:

    • They contain just 4 simple ingredients and are very easy to make.
    • It is a great way to make use of leftover egg whites.
    • You can set out a colourful variety of Meringue Nests on one platter simply by using different toppings.
    • They can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry location to fill shortly before serving.

    Ingredients in this recipe:

    Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

    Ingredients in this recipe on a white marble background.

    Egg whites – I use the whites from large, free-range eggs. Save the yolks to make custard or Blood Orange Curd.

    Caster/superfine sugar – dissolves more readily than regular granulated sugar.

    Whipping/thickened cream – we use heavy whipping/thickened cream, which contains a minimum of 35% milk fat.

    Berries – the Mini Meringues are topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries. However, you can use other berries or the fruit of your choice.

    How to Make Mini Meringues:

    Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

    Steps 1-2 of preparing this recipe - separating the eggs and beating the egg whites in a glass bowl.

    1 – Separate the yolks and whites:
    Separate the egg yolks and whites and reserve the yolks for another use.

    2 – Whip the egg whites:
    Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer or use a bowl and hand-held electric beaters. Beat on low speed until soft peaks form.

    Steps 3-4 of preparing this recipe - adding the sugar to the egg whites and the beaten mixture.

    3 – Gradually add the sugar:
    Gradually add the sugar, increasing the speed of the beaters.

    4 – Beat until stiff peaks form:
    Beat constantly until the sugar dissolves, the mixture is thick and glossy, and the meringue has stiff peaks.

    Steps 5-6 of preparing this recipe - piping the meringue nests and beating the cream for the filling.

    5 – Pipe the meringues:
    Spoon the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle.

    Pipe the meringue onto a prepared baking tray in a small circle. Continue piping and build the meringues to 3 layers high.

    6 – Make the whipped cream:
    To make the filling, whip the cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or use hand-held electric beaters. Whip until the cream has firm peaks and is strong enough to hold its shape.

    Spoon some cream into each meringue case and decorate with the berries or fruit of your choice.

    Overhead shot of mini meringue nests filled with cream and berries.

    Tips for success and FAQs:

    One of the most important tips for successful meringues is that the equipment you use must be scrupulously clean, dry, and grease-free. Even the slightest smudge of oil on the bowl, or smattering of egg yolk in the whites, will stop the eggs from properly whisking. If a speck of yolk should fall in when separating the egg, the best way to get it out is with an empty eggshell.

    What is the difference between a meringue and a pavlova?

    They both contain egg whites and sugar. However, a meringue is dried in the oven until it is crisp. On the other hand, a pavlova is crisp on the outside and marshmallow-like on the inside.

    Do egg whites whip better when cold?

    It is easier to separate the whites and yolks when the eggs are chilled. However, the whites will achieve greater volume if they are at room temperature for about 20 minutes before being whisked.

    Does the weather affect meringues?

    Yes, it does. It is best to make meringues on a dry day as they do not like humidity. Sugar is hygroscopic, which means that it will absorb moisture from the air, making it difficult to whip the whites to stiff peaks. In very humid conditions you are likely to find it difficult to successfully bake a meringue as the baked meringues may weep and become soft.

    How long can I store them?

    If kept in a perfectly dry, airtight container, and stored in a cool, dry, and dark location, the meringues will last up to 2 weeks. I prefer to store them in a large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

    Can I freeze the mini meringues?

    Yes, the meringue nests can be frozen for up to three months. Freeze the meringues on a tray in a single layer before transferring them to an airtight container. Separate the layers with non-stick baking paper. Allow the,m to defrost at room temperature.

    Star

    Variations and substitutions:

    You can easily customise the Mini Meringue Nests according to your taste or what you have on hand. You are only limited by your imagination.
     
    Suggested variations:
     
    – Use raspberries, mixed berries or kiwi fruit with the cream.
    – Lemon Curd combined with cream is also delicious.
    – Or make a banoffee meringue; fill the cases with ready-made caramel, sliced banana and cream.
    – For decorations on the filled nests, you could use mint leaves, pretty, edible flowers or chocolate shavings.

    Hand picking up a meringue, filled cream and topped with a blueberry and piece of strawberry.

    Serving suggestions:

    The Mini Meringue Nests are extremely versatile. They are sufficiently elegant to serve for a morning tea, but simple enough to serve the family on a weeknight. As well, they will be a hit at picnics or potlucks and are ideal for the Festive Season.

    They are perfect for entertaining as you can make the meringues ahead of time. You can fill them yourself or take the easy and fun way:

    • Set up a Meringue grazing board with an attractive assortment of fruit and some whipped cream;
    • Some of our Classic Lemon Curd or Strawberry Sauce;
    • Chocolate shavings.
    • You are only limited by your imagination as to what to include.

    Say goodbye to store-bought meringue nests with this simple, easily made recipe. The melt-in-the-mouth bite-size desserts are quickly and easily made and are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I do hope that you will try these Mini Meringue Nests filled with berries and cream. Your friends and family will thank you for it. Please let me know in the comments below if you do.

    Alex xx

    More delicious recipes for you to try:

    • Jam Oatmeal Bars
    • Almond Flour Brownies
    • Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels
    • Vegan Chocolate Mousse

    Stay in touch!
    Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram and subscribe to my newsletter.

    Mini meringue nests, with some cream and fresh berries, sitting on a tray.

    Mini Meringues with Berries and Cream

    These Mini Meringues with Berries and Cream are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The melt-in-the-mouth Meringue Nests are filled with whipped cream and topped with fresh berries. The sweet crunch of the meringue contrasts with the smooth whipped cream and the sweet tang of the berry. They are tantalisingly irresistible!
    4.99 from 91 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Afternoon Tea, Dessert, Morning Tea
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Cooling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 30 mini meringues
    Calories: 49kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    Ingredients

    Meringues:

    • 2 large egg whites – at room temperature See Note 1
    • 115 g (½ cup) caster/superfine sugar See Note 2

    Filling:

    • 250 ml (1 cup) heavy whipping/thickened cream See Note 3
    • 250 g (9 oz) berries – I used strawberries and blueberries

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 120 Degrees C (250F).
      Line two baking trays with baking paper.
    • Separate the egg yolks and whites. Save the egg yolks for another use.
      Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer or use a bowl and hand-held electric beaters. Beat on low speed until soft peaks form.
    • Gradually add the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, increasing the speed of the beaters. Beat constantly until the sugar dissolves, the mixture is thick and glossy and the meringue has stiff peaks. 
      To check if the sugar has dissolved, rub a small amount of meringue between your thumb and a finger to check if it’s gritty or smooth. If it’s gritty, you will need to beat the mixture a little longer. 
    • Spoon the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a ½ cm-1cm (¼ “- ½”) small star nozzle.
      Starting at the centre, pipe the meringue onto a prepared baking tray into small circles about 3 ½ cm (1 ½“)  in diameter. Continue piping around the edge of the circle and build the meringues to 3 layers high, to form a nest shape. 
      Leave some space between the meringues.
    • Bake for 50 minutes or until they feel crisp.
      Turn the oven off. Leave the meringues to cool in the oven.
      Once cool, store the meringues in an airtight container.
    • Whip the cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. or use hand-held electric beaters and whip until the cream has firm peaks and it is strong enough to hold its shape.
    • When you're ready to serve, spoon some cream into each meringue case.
      Decorate with the berries or fruit of your choice.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Egg whites: ensure your egg whites are at room temperature – this will help them whip up faster and gain extra volume.
    2. Sugar: gradually adding the sugar ensures that you do not destroy the aeration of the whites that you have achieved through whisking, keeping them light and fluffy.
    3. Cream: heavy whipping/thickened cream contains 35% milk fat.
    4. Meringues: I made small meringue nests – if you prefer to make them larger, use a larger piping nozzle. It is not necessary to pipe the meringue. Just spoon the meringue onto a baking tray. Use a teaspoon to make an indent in the centre.
    5. Humidity: avoid baking the Mini Meringues on a humid day. In very humid conditions you are likely to find it difficult to successfully bake a meringue as the baked meringues may weep and become soft.

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 5g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.03mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

    This post was originally published in March 2019. It has been updated with new photos and more information. The recipe remains the same.

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    747 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Miranda

      August 31, 2020 at 3:36 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good! I didn’t have any piping nozzles so just used a spoon but they came out looking so pretty! I topped them with peaches and blueberries since that’s what I had. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 03, 2020 at 6:17 pm

        Miranda, I am so pleased that you used a spoon to shape the mini meringues. The spoon works perfectly well; I often do it that way myself. A peach and blueberry topping sounds delicious! 🙂

        Reply
    2. sarah johnson

      August 24, 2020 at 12:13 am

      5 stars
      Berries & Meringue! You can’t go wrong with this combo – my husband and my kids would love these!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 05, 2020 at 12:54 pm

        I agree – the best combination! I am so glad you like these! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Chris

      August 23, 2020 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      These are so cute!! Perfect for an afternoon tea party 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 15, 2020 at 9:39 pm

        Thank you, Chris!

        Reply
    4. Rhonda Albom

      August 12, 2020 at 11:05 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect. They look great on the plate and taste even better. I love big meringues, but the small single serve size is just perfect.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 30, 2020 at 6:12 pm

        Thanks, Rhonda!
        I agree – sometimes a single serve is ideal!

        Reply
    5. Geraline Batarra

      August 03, 2019 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      These meringues are so cute..! And they are really delicious with the cream and fruit topping!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 04, 2019 at 5:22 pm

        I am so pleased that you like them Geraline; they are always a popular dessert. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Casey

      August 03, 2019 at 11:09 am

      5 stars
      For sure Meringue is one of our family favorite sweet. I often make this with my kids over the weekends as a family activity. Very fun 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 04, 2019 at 5:27 pm

        That sounds so fun, Casey!

        Reply
    7. Joanna

      July 31, 2019 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      I love meringues, they are so delicious and so easy to make. Topped with berries, they are definitely a great summer dessert.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 02, 2019 at 5:46 pm

        They are a gorgeous summer dessert Joanna and they are always popular. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Yeah Lifestyle

      July 31, 2019 at 6:18 am

      5 stars
      I love meringues but dont like big bulky ones so these petite ones are perfect for my mouth

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        July 31, 2019 at 12:10 pm

        I am in total agreement; I like small bites of food. That way I get to try more varieties. 🙂 🙂

        Reply
    9. Natalia

      July 31, 2019 at 5:42 am

      5 stars
      I love meringues, but I’ve never done them on my own! It’s time to change it! They’re perfect for the afternoon coffee time. 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        July 31, 2019 at 12:11 pm

        That sounds like a great plan Natalia; I am sure that you will enjoy them 🙂

        Reply
    10. Catherine

      July 31, 2019 at 5:19 am

      5 stars
      These are so beautiful! What a lovely and light dessert for summer. I love meringues!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        July 31, 2019 at 12:14 pm

        They’re such a great dessert Catherine; be sure to make plenty, they are very popular. 🙂

        Reply
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    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

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