Description
Mini Citrus Cloud Bites are delightfully airy meringue cookies infused with fresh lemon and orange zests, offering a vibrant, tangy-sweet flavor profile and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whipped egg whites are carefully folded with sugar and citrus, gently baked to create crisp, delicate treats perfect for snacking or sharing. The light, cloud-like consistency makes them a refreshing confection for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 3 large egg whites
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 225°F (110°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Slowly add granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Gently fold in vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest.
- Use a piping bag or spoon to drop dollops (about 1 inch each) onto prepared baking sheets, spaced 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 1 hour, or until dry and crisp to the touch, rotating sheets halfway through.
- Turn off the oven, prop the door slightly open, and let meringues cool inside for 30 minutes.
- Dust cooled meringues lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
For a different flavor, lime zest can replace lemon or orange zest. Substitute cream of tartar with 1 teaspoon lemon juice if needed. Make the meringues ahead and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to prevent them from becoming sticky. If the meringues become chewy, rebake at low temperature for a few minutes. Ensure mixing bowl is fully grease-free for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 bites
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 12mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg