Meringues are a delicious pastry product typically associated with Italian, Swiss and French cuisine. Prepared in an apparently simple way with sugar, whipped egg whites and sometimes a small amount of vinegar, lemon or cream of tartar, they are a perfect dessert to serve at the end of a special lunch or dinner. If you want to preserve them without losing their taste and freshness, there are two options: in the short term, they can be placed in a container and kept at room temperature; if you prefer long-term storage, put them in the freezer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Store the Meringues at Room Temperature
Step 1. Allow the meringues to cool before storing
Remove from the oven and place them in a large, shallow container, without covering them. In the summer, put them to cool immediately in the refrigerator before storing them at room temperature.
- Cooling meringues before storing is especially important in case the weather is humid or raining.
- Always make sure they are completely dry before taking them out. If you can lift them from the parchment paper because they have dried on the bottom and leave no residue (or almost), then they are ready to be taken out of the oven.
Step 2. Gently stack the meringues in an airtight container
Always leave enough space between the surface of the meringues and the lid to avoid crushing them. Remember that it is a delicate dessert. If you find that you have to compress them so that they all fit in the same container, then you will need more.
- Always use airtight containers to prevent moisture from ruining the soft texture of the meringues.
- Glass jars are great for storing them.
- Ceramic containers are not recommended. Having a porous composition, they let in air, which can spoil the texture of the meringues.
Step 3. Insert a sheet of parchment paper between the layers of the meringues
If you use parchment paper to protect the meringues as you stack them, you will minimize the contact between the various layers. This is the best way to keep them from squashing together.
Place a final sheet of parchment paper under the lid to prevent the top of the cakes from being squeezed when closed
Step 4. Store the meringues at room temperature (approx. 23 ° C) for 3 weeks
After closing the containers, store them in the coolest part of the kitchen. Check the temperature of the meringues regularly using a cooking thermometer to make sure they never exceed room temperature.
- Avoid exposing containers to direct sunlight.
- Do not store meringues for more than 3 weeks.
Method 2 of 2: Freeze the Meringues
Step 1. Freeze the meringues in a large, shallow container
Place all the meringues in a large, shallow container immediately after taking them out of the oven. Then, put the container (without covering it) in the fridge to let them cool. Freezing lukewarm meringues immediately after cooking can raise the temperature of surrounding foods. This can cause them to defrost and then freeze again, with the risk of ruining the texture and flavor of some foods.
Special freezer bags are a good option, although they do expose meringues to the risk of being crushed if they come into contact with other foods
Step 2. Use the cooking thermometer to measure the temperature of the meringues and determine when they reach 23 ° C
If you freeze the meringues before they cool, you risk raising the freezer temperature. The other foods stored in it can defrost and freeze again, undergoing changes in texture and flavor.
Step 3. Layer the meringues in a freezer-safe container
To start, create the first row of meringues at the bottom of the bowl. Then, place a sheet of parchment paper on the first layer and repeat the process until the container is full.
Avoid pressing the meringues as you stack them: they tend to crush easily
Step 4. Close the container and keep it in the freezer for a maximum of one month
Always make sure not to crush the meringues with the lid on when closing it. Leave about 1.5 cm of space between the top of the cakes and the lid. Closed the container, put it in the freezer.
- If the freezer is full, use adhesive labels to distinguish the meringue container from the others.
- Meringues can be kept in the freezer for about a month.
Step 5. Defrost the meringues 2 to 3 hours before eating them
Remove them from the freezer and place them on a cake-cooler rack. Let them defrost at a temperature of around 23 ° C before eating them. You can serve them at room temperature or reheat them in the oven.
- Try not to let them thaw in a humid environment, as they will very easily absorb the surrounding moisture and the outside will sag.
- If you plan to reheat them, preheat the oven to 120 ° C and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes.
