Nectarine Meringues

This beautiful summer dessert is a welcome finale to any special meal. Your family and guests will love this blend of fruit, whipped cream, and crunchy meringue. 

Nectarine Meringues

3 egg whites, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Almond Extract ( 6 fl oz) or (2 fl oz)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
3 fresh white nectarines, pitted and sliced

Honey and Lemon Drizzle
1/3 cup warm honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Almond Extract (6 fl oz) or (2 fl oz)

Preheat oven to 225 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until stiff and glossy. Add cornstarch, almond extract, and cream of tartar; beat for 30 seconds more. Spread into six 4-inch circles on prepared baking sheet, making a well in the center with the back of a spoon.

Bake for 45 minutes, then turn oven off and leave meringues in the oven with the door closed for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool. Carefully remove meringues from parchment paper.

Beat cream with powdered sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fill each meringue with cream and arrange nectarine slices on top.

Stir together honey, lemon juice, and extract; drizzle over nectarines. Serve immediately. Makes 6 Servings

Tips

• Draw six 4-inch circles on parchment paper to help make each meringue the same size. Start small as the egg white mixture may spread and the meringue will become too large.
• Make sure that the bowl and beaters used to beat the egg whites are clean and dry. Oil or other substances may interfere with the egg whites forming soft peaks.
•  Substitute sliced peaches, sliced strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for the nectarines.
• One of my favorite summer desserts is a meringue shell filled with vanilla ice cream and sliced fresh strawberries.

Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter called Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/july15-08newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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