Lemon Meringue Cookies....It IS Spring, Right?

I don't know where you are in the world right now, reading this, but where I am it is NOT Spring.

We have had more snow last week and this week, than we've had all winter, and maybe ever.

That not an actual fact, but it really feels like it.

It takes a lot to tarnish a silver lining in my little world, but dang it!

Mother Nature has some SERIOUS making up to do.

So, to squelch my dark, winter-hating brood I had goin' on, I whipped up some perky cookies.

Here's what you need to make Lemon Meringue Cookies:

1 box of Lemon cookies

1 box of lemon meringue pie mix

6 egg whites

3/4 cup of sugar

Pre-heat oven to 350.

First, follow the directions on the box of the lemon meringue pie mix to make the filling.

Keep filling in a container in the fridge until it sets up.

Make your meringue by whipping your egg whites until soft peaks form, then slowly add sugar, 1/4 cup at a time. 

(don't try and be hero like I did by doing it by hand...)

Whip until stiff peaks form.

Spoon meringues on to parchment paper into cookie sized blobs.

Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes, but watch them closely !

Stir up the set lemon pie filling until smooth, then spoon onto cookies. (or pipe it on :)

Once the meringues are baked and cooled slightly, top your lemon cookies with meringues.

Devour.

I ate 10.

And I don't even like citrus-y things. 

But my mood perked up and the snow just keeps on falling.

On the Third Day of Love.....

This post is taking me forever to start because I actually have 2 kidlets napping, so I can guilt free watch Nothing But Trailers. I'm that luny that want to be an hour early to a movie so I can catch all the nerdy trivia they play before the movie starts as well as the all the previews. I usually forget what movie we're going to see because I'm so excited for the movies that aren't even out yet!

 OK OK, on with the love fest . . . . Love of sugar, that is!

On the third day of love, my true love brought to me... Cinnamon Heart Meringues!

I love the versatility of a good meringue recipe. One that you can whip up (literally) in a few minutes and add color or flavour and then pipe them or just dump it out of a cookie sheet and bake away!

Just a few simple ingredients that I had in my pantry and some eggs, which I did have to go out to buy after  I discovered Ben had used a WHOLE carton for breakfast and burnt the first batch (this is because he cooks on gas mark 19 instead of 2.) makes a simple and elegant treat that is a perfect side to any Latte or cup of tea.

Pre-heat oven to 225 degrees. (seems low, but it's true)

Just 3 egg whites

1/4 tsp of cream of tartar

3/4 cup of super fine sugar (I used regular sugar but blitzed it in a food processor)

1 tsp of cinnamon. I used Vietnamese cinnamon, I've been told it has a warmer taste and I totally fell for it. But truthfully, you can use whatever you've got.

Red or pink food coloring, I like the gel kind, makes me feel all Martha-y.

I split the it into 2 batches so I could color them light pink and dark pink.

Whip the egg whites on medium speed until frothy.

Add cream of tartar.

Whip until soft peaks form. 

Add sugar 1-2 tablespoons at a time.

Whip until the mixture is glossy, smooth and form stiff peaks.

Stir in cinnamon.

You can drop this mixture by the spoonful or you can pipe the meringue like I did into what ever shape you want. I chose hearts, and some X's and O's. But you could do anything, any color of any occasion. I told you it was versatile!!

Bake for 1 hour, then turn off oven and leave inside for 2-3 hours. I peaked a bunch and took them out after 2 hours, probably why they cracked?? Or maybe my oven is too dry, if that's possible.

Pre-Oven..

Baked and all shimmered up! I used Pink Pearl dust from Wilton (AKA Drink Sparkles!)

These have a really delicate cinnamon flavour, not strong like the heart candies. They melt in your mouth and are delish! 

Just a side note, if you don't want to use cinnamon, they are AMAZING with out it!