Name: Meringue kisses with Dulce de Leche
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: PT-460232H23M6S
Yield: 30
Cuisine: Chilean
Ingredients: 3 large egg whites (room temperature); 1/2 cup fine granulated sugar; a pinch of salt; 1 cup dulce de leche La Lechera

Versión en español

These meringue kisses with Dulce de Leche are one of the cookies that never failed to be at the Christmas table in my grandmother’s house. Cookies have always been the favorite part of Christmas for me, even more than presents. Seeing the table all filled with cookies was a magical and yummy thing to experience growing up.

My family was big on cookies, and each family member would have a particular ask for the cookie table. Cookie swaps are unknown in Chile, but they could be a good and different option.

I recommend using the canned Dulce de Leche to fill and paste the meringue kisses because it is more firm and doesn’t melt if the room gets a little warm. Do it just before serving because the meringue will get a little soft. I don’t mind.

A table of traditional cookies is expected at many celebrations in Chile: birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and more. The dessert table is more of a recent trend. The cookies have been around forever.

How to separate yolks and whites?

Eggs are easier to separate when they’re cold, so you can put them in the fridge for a couple of hours and then separate them. I recommend cracking the egg on the flat counter, not on the edge of the counter or bowl. The rest is practice.

What are the different types of meringue and when to use them? How to make meringue?

French: the most common and straightforward. Beat the egg whites until foamy, add the sugar little by little, and beat everything until the meringue is white and silky. It is less stable, but the one with more air—ideal for souffle.
Italian: it is the most stable. It is made by adding hot sugar syrup to the egg whites while beating.
Swiss: It is made by heating the egg whites and sugar together and whisking until cool. Here you can see the method in detail—the best for decorating pies.

What is the standard egg size in pastry?

Recipes in the US are written for large eggs, which weigh about 65 grams in the shell.
Without shell 50 grams: 35 grams the egg white, 15 grams the yolk.

This recipe was originally published in December 2012.

Meringue kisses with Dulce de Leche

Print Recipe

A delicious and traditional Chilean cookie.

Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Yield: 30

Ingredients

Units

3 large egg whites (room temperature)
1/2 cup fine granulated sugar
a pinch of salt
1 cup dulce de leche La Lechera

Instructions

Before you make the meringue, cover 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat.
Preheat oven to 200F or 100 C.
Put the egg whites in a large bowl with the salt and beat at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add sugar slowly while beating continuously at medium speed, then continue beating on high speed for about 8-10 minutes until it looks silky. Rub between your fingers. You shouldn’t feel any grain of sugar.
Put the meringue in a Ziploc bag or pastry bag with a round tip or a star tip. I used Ateco # 846.
Bake for 1 ½ hour. The meringues should feel dry to the touch but not brown. Allow cooling in the oven. Once cooled, peel from the paper and store for up to 2-3 days. The meringue is fragile, do it gently. If you live in a humid climate, freeze.
Fill with dulce de leche right before serving.