Meringue Hearts With Whipped Cream And Raspberries
Meringue hearts with whipped cream and raspberries, are perfect for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day.
Light, airy and crisp, filled with lightly sweetened whipped cream and some fresh raspberries, they are an extra special dessert. (This post was originally published on February 10, 2015. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
Similar to Pavlova.
These heart-shaped meringues are similar to a Pavlova, the national dessert of New Zealand. Usually a Pavlova is made as one large meringue, filled with whipped cream, fresh berries and kiwis, (especially in New Zealand!). While this is not necessarily a complicated recipe, it does require a few important steps.
How to make meringues.
- When whipping egg whites, you must make sure that the yolks don’t break when separating.
- The bowl and beater that are used to whip the whites must be free of grease. I always wipe the inside of my bowl with white vinegar, then rinse with warm water.
- Trace a heart shape on a piece of parchment paper, using a cookie cutter. Pipe around, and then fill in the bottom.
Carefully pipe 2 or 3 more layers of meringue, building up the sides.
Bake in a slow oven, about 200 degrees F. for 1 1/2 hours. While the meringues are baking, whip the cream and puree the frozen raspberries for the raspberry sauce, or “coulis” (fancy French term for berry sauce). To assemble, fill each shell with whipped cream and fresh berries. Serve raspberry sauce on the side or drizzle on top.
What can you make with leftover egg yolks?
So you’ve made meringues and now you have leftover egg yolks. What can you make? This 1 minute blender Hollandaise is perfect! You can serve in over asparagus or on Eggs Florentine or Eggs Royale.
Looking for more meringue recipes?
Star Shaped Meringues are perfect for patriotic holidays.
Eton Mess also uses meringues. This traditional English dessert is perfect for summer berries.
Meringue Hearts with Whipped Cream and Raspberries
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites bring to room temperature for best results.
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- pinch salt
- pinch cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries defrosted
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- To make the meringue shells, pre-heat oven to 200*, line baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat, (silicone baking sheet).
- In a clean, grease-free mixing bowl, whip whites on low speed until foamy.
- Add salt, cream of tartar and vanilla, and continue whipping about 8 minutes or so, the whites should begin to have soft peaks.
- Gradually add sugar, a few teaspoons at a time and continue beating until the whites are stiff and shiny like satin.
- Either use a pastry bag to pipe out heart shell, or drop by tablespoons on prepared sheets.
- Bake for about 1½ hours at 200* with oven door slightly ajar.
- When they are done, they will be crispy and light and will be easily removed from the cookie sheet.
- While the shells are baking, whip cream and sugar in stand mixer, or by hand with a whisk, until soft peaks form.
- For the Raspberry Sauce, or "coulis", thaw frozen berries and puree in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add sugar if desired.
- To assemble: fill each shell with whipped cream, and fresh berries. Serve raspberry coulis on the side, or drizzle on top.
- Dust with powdered sugar
Notes
- for best results, egg whites should be room temperature.
- Meringue shells can be made several days ahead of time. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
- A very humid day can affect the meringues.
Okay I’ve never made anything this fancy — how do you make sure the yolk doesn’t touch the white when you separate them? Isn’t it always touching the white? These look SO delicious, I might just have to try them even though we don’t really “do” Valentine’s day. Maybe I can make them in the shape of a Star Wars character — Yoda perhaps? — for my geeky husband. 🙂
Katie, sorry I clarified in the instructions. The yolk has a thin membrane around it, if you accidentally break the membrane, the yolk will touch mix with the white and the whites won’t whip up properly. You need to separate the yolks from the whites carefully so the membrane won’t break. Hope that makes more sense.
These look PERFECT! I’ve been dying to try a dessert like this, yours look so pillowy and delicious <3
Thank you Sue! They were fun to make and eat!
You’ve hit my weak spot! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE meringues and cream with or without fruit! This looks absolutely gorgeous, Cynthia and it is so perfect in the heart shape for Valentine’s Day! Only thing I’d do differently, is whip the cream without sugar! 😉
haha Christina! No sugar for you!
🙂
Really simple idea. And to control weight, you can add more berries and less cream!
True Andi, but it is only ONE day a year! 😉
Sweet, simple and beautiful. No excuse not to make something homemade for my sweety this Valentine’s Day. He would love this. =)
It is simple Jen, and not too sweet. A nice change from chocolate!
What a gorgeous looking dessert. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
this looks so pretty!! I had no idea that pavlova was the national dessert of New Zealand. I feel like I visited new zealand naive without doing enough research. now i’m going to have to lookout for it. all we ate were meat pies.
This is just gorgeous! So pleased to find your blog.
This is such a wonderful idea!! Beautiful recipe, Cindy, I really love it! Happy Valentine’s Day to you!!
I love the simplicity of this gorgeous dessert Cynthia! Yes, Valentine’s Day comes but once a year. I have such great memories of Valentine’s Days growing up, all of us kids making cards for each other and my mom making a heart shaped cherry-almond cake. I would love to try these meringue hearts with fresh raspberries and cream!
Oh my gosh, these are so sweet and pretty! I just love the colors and how thoughtful it is, My Mama would love this.
This is so cute! It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!
This looks perfect for Valentine’s Dinner
Dear Cynthia, these meringue hearts are so beautiful…what a wonderful treat. I love meringues…such a light, elegant dessert. Perfect for Valentine’s Day…I’m pinning for later. xoxo, Catherine
What a festive and elegant dessert! These look perfect. I will have to try them!
it’s strawberry season here in FL. might just need to swap those raspberries out for some strawberries we pick.
No matter what they will be done quickly in my house, love the texture of meringues
Any fresh fruit would be great!
These are gorgeous! So perfect for Valentine’s Day!
thank you Taylor!
What a fun Valentine’s Day idea!
Thank you Jessica!
How cute and festive! I’ve always been a bit wary of meringues, but you’ve got some great tips here. Think I’ll have to give this a shot!
They can be intimidating, but they really aren’t that difficult!