For an unforgettable finale, treat your guests to their very own cranberry-filled meringue nests. A boozy whipped cream, known as a syllabub, makes a festive topping.
- Prep time 45 minutes
- Total time 3 hours & 30 minutes
- Portion size 6 servings
- Credits : Canadian Living Magazine
Ingredients
Brandy Whipped Cream:
Cranberry Pear Filling:
Meringue Nests:
Method
Meringue Nests: In large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy; beat in cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar, 2 tbsp at a time, until stiff glossy peaks form.
Using pencil, draw six 3-inch (8 cm) circles on parchment paper; turn paper over and place on rimmed baking sheet. Using piping bag fitted with 1/2-inch (1 cm) plain tip, pipe meringue in concentric circles to fill inside of each drawn circle. Pipe stacked circles at outer edges of meringues to form 1 1/4-inch (3 cm) high nests. (Alternatively, spoon meringue into rounds; with back of spoon, form each round into nest.)
Bake in 200°F (100°C) oven until dry and crisp, about 2 hours. Turn off oven; let stand in oven for 1 hour. Remove from oven; peel off parchment paper. Let cool completely on pan. (Make-ahead: Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.)
Cranberry Pear Filling: While meringues are cooling, in large saucepan, bring pears, cranberries, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and 1/2 cup water to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until pears are tender but still retain their shape, about 15 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. Bring to room temperature, about 45 minutes.
Brandy Whipped Cream: In bowl, beat cream with sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in brandy.
Assembly: Spoon filling into nests; top with whipped cream.
Tip from The Test Kitchen: Keep your oven door closed (no peeking!) while the meringues are baking and cooling to prevent them from cracking.
Nutritional facts per serving: about
- Fibre 3 g
- Sodium 36 mg
- Sugars 44 g
- Protein 2 g
- Calories 246.0
- Total fat 5 g
- Potassium 141 mg
- Cholesterol 17 mg
- Saturated fat 3 g
- Total carbohydrate 50 g
%RDI
- Iron 3.0
- Folate 1.0
- Calcium 3.0
- Vitamin A 5.0
- Vitamin C 5.0
