Delicious and Easy Sugar-Free Meringue Cookies
Are you still hungry after having all types of healthy snacks like veggies and fruits without really fulfilling your sugar cravings? Well, these meringue cookies are a great alternative; they are sweetened with sugar-free options that are safer than those artificial sweeteners like aspartame or dextrose. These merengue cookies are mainly egg whites, so they will provide some level of protein, vitamin B5, selenium and potassium; while they are low in cholesterol.
You can have fun with the whole family preparing them and store in tight container or bag in your pantry. The base is always the same: egg whites, cream of tartar and sweetener. You can make a big batch of the base and then split it in smaller batches if you want to have multiple colors and flavors. You can be as creative as you want with the color and flavors, but I highly recommend to use non-toxic versions; especially regarding artificial dyes, there is a lot of literature regarding the side effects mainly in kids.
If you want to make chocolate meringue cookies, I recommend Terrasoul organic cacao powder. When folding the cacao powder into the base, do it slowly as it tends to soften the mix; then pipe the blend to form the meringue cookies and bake immediately.
For other flavors like peppermint, lemon, lavender, I personally use Young Living Vitality Collection as they are essential oils for cooking. I prefer to use good quality essential oils rather than extracts as many of them have alcohol that may make the mix unstable and softer. When adding the essential oils, use a 1 mL pipette and slowly incorporate while mixing. They are strong as they are concentrate, so you only need a couple drops from the the pipette.
If you want to use natural coloring, you can spirulina, pitaya powder, turmeric, etc. I personally like Terrasoul brand which have organic products at a good price.
Regarding egg whites, it is not recommended to use pre-packaged egg whites batter as most of them are pasteurized, and the heat destroys part of the meringue properties. I have tried both pasteurized egg whites and regular egg whites coming from separating yolks from eggs. When you use pasteurized egg whites, the mix is more unstable and will be harder to make well defined meringue cookies, but they get harder soon. With regular egg whites, the meringue cookies are well defined and glossy but take longer to get harder. When I want to make more fancy cookies I use regular egg whites, but if it is only for the family I use commercial pasteurized egg whites as I do not want to end up with many solo egg yolks in my fridge.
You can make meringue cookies in different flavors, colors and shapes. I made these ones larger than normal. They were chocolate, peppermint and kirsch flavor. I gave to my friends and neighbors for Mother’s Day in little bags, and they were very happy. Delicious!
Sugar-Free Meringue Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup Stevia or Monkfruit
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Flavoring options: Peppermint, lemon, lavender oils, cacao powder, almond or vanilla extract
- Coloring: Try to use natural or organic food coloring. Terrasoul has Green, Blue Spirulina and Pitaya powders available.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees F; line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer, add the egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat until the mixture is frothy and soft peaks form. Gradually add the natural sweetener 1 tablespoon at a time until the mix looks glossy and stiff.
- For flavoring and coloring, if you want to have different flavors split the mix in different bowls. Incorporate flavor and coloring slowly. For mint, lemon, lavender flavors and extracts with 1 or 2 drops will be enough.
- Spoon the mixtures into pastry bags fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 2-inch cookies onto the lined baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the cookies in the oven for an additional 30 minutes. Remove and cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Sugar-Free Meringue Cookies
Serves: 16
|
Amount Per Serving: 1
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 3.55 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 0.01 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Trans Fat 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol 0.0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium 10.98 mg | 0.4% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 6.33 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Sugars 0.05 g | ||
| Protein 0.72 g | ||
| Vitamin A 0.0 % | Vitamin C 0.0 % | |
| Calcium 0.05 % | Iron 0.04 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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