Monday is Valentine's Day and I couldn't help but whip up a box full of love...
... starting with a few simple ingredients...
... like homemade meringues ...
... and marzipan truffles...
... dipped in chocolate...
... and layered...
... with lots...
... of Hugs and Kisses.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Meringue Hugs and Chocolate Almond Kisses:
Makes 24 Meringues:
4 whites from large eggs
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Makes 24 small marzipan truffles:
7 oz marzipan
6 oz semisweet chocolate (or milk chocolate if you prefer)
sliced almonds for truffle tops
Separate the egg whites from the yolks of 4 room temperature eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until frothy and then add cream of tartar. Beat until the mixture becomes stiff and slowly add the sugar. Fold in almond extract and transfer mixture into a large freezer bag and snip off the tip to make it into a piping bag (or use a piping bag if you have one).
On a parchment lined baking sheet make small "X's" about 1.5" tall and fill the pan. Place in an oven preheated to 375 and then turn off the oven. Leave in closed oven for 5 hours or so until the meringues are completely dry and melt in your mouth.
Cut the marzipan into equal pieces and roll into balls about 3/4" in diameter (this is a great activity for little hands to help with).
Once you have the marzipan balls and the meringues are done, melt chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water (or in a double boiler). The chocolate should stay liquefied when just slightly warm, so allow it to cool to that temperature before allowing children to help with the dipping. Gently dip the bottoms of the meringues into the chocolate and set on wax paper to cool. With a bamboo skewer, dip the marzipan balls in chocolate and use one sliced almond per truffle to top (and cover the hole from the skewer).
Once the treats are cool share them with the ones you love!
~ Sarah
P.S. Don't forget about our current book giveaway: Two Amazing Birding Guides!
*Last time in recipes: Carrot Parsnip Ginger Soup
