Pink heart meringues bites

February 13, 2014 by Sarah Menanix · Modified: Mar 21, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links

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Remember a few weeks ago when my mom and I pretended I was in elementary school preparing to give homemade edible Valentines to all of my classmates? (Wait, actually...that's not a terrible idea. I'm giving a research presentation on V-day and I bet I could win them over with pink treats). Even though my hand was not steady enough to pipe itty-bitty heart sprinkles and we burned a batch of heart-shaped lollipops, these vanilla heart meringues turned out like sugary bites of love. Homemade love. They’re the perfect way to say “Happy Valentine’s Day”… or they would have been if it curiosity hadn’t gotten the best of the kitties.

After popping a few in my mouth and realizing that nothing and no one could stop me from eating the entire batch over the next 24 hours, I decided the neighbors could definitely use some festive sweets. After all, I'd borrowed a paint brush from them earlier in the day and couldn't very well return it without dessert. OBVIOUSLY. I arranged these pink hearts in precarious pyramids on two pretty plates to drop off next door. Now here’s my fatal mistake: I left them. Perched up on the counter just in eye-sight of two furry four-legged felines patrolling the house for mischief. I'm sure you can see where this is going...

...All across the counter - that's where. Let's be real clear about something: there is a strict "No cats on the counter" policy in the Menanix household. STRICT. The cats are more than privy to the rules of the house...and yet sometimes they just give zero hoots. Like, for example, when we've left them for a long weekend or when the birds are chirping so loudly outside the kitchen window that it's not even fair, the cats apparently rewrite the rulebook. OR when there are plates of pink meringues that most definitely look like cat toys - yup, they fall off the counter when kicked...definitely cat toys - cats are apparently allowed on the counter to retrieve said cat toys. Newsflash naughty kitties: Cats are not allowed on the counter - not ever. And the little pink food dye tint to your water dish gave you away. Caught pink handed.

I probably spent just a little bit too long trying to decide if the fact that the cats had played hockey on the counter with my meringues meant I had to toss them. They're that scrumptious. (For the record, they wound up in the compost bin). These meringues melt in your mouth - smooth pillows perfectly balanced between soft crumbles and light chewy texture. Something so simple has so many notes. If you pipe them in little dollops on the baking sheet, you can make them look much more uniform than my hand-piped hearts, but I'm totally into the handmade vibe.

Meringues are one of my go-to simple desserts. Don't let their baking time dissuade you - think about it, you can pop them in the oven and get to work on the main course. Sometimes it’s a challenge to coordinate an elaborate dinner and dessert in a timely fashion - too many things to juggle. Whether you make them ahead or put the oven to work while dinner's on the stove, these meringues allow you to do both. Simple and sweet and just enough to say three little words to your Valentine: “I love you."

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