Meringue Nests

Usually it's the mother bird who builds a nest for her young. But with this no-fuss meringue recipe (and a little help), your kids can whip up a candy roost to surprise Mom on her special day.

4 egg whites
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Shredded coconut
Malted candy eggs or jelly beans

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (available at most grocery stores). In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form (about 1 to 2 minutes). Then, slowly add the sugar, beating constantly until the mixture is glossy and stiff (another minute or so). Beat in the vanilla extract until just combined.

Now you're ready to make the meringue nests. Spoon three mounds of the mixture onto each baking sheet. Use the bowl of the spoon to shape each mound into a 4-inch-wide circle with a 2-inch-deep depression in the center.

Give your nests a lived-in look by sprinkling shredded coconut over each one. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the meringues are dry and the coconut has turned golden brown. Once cool, tuck one malted candy egg or jelly bean into the nest for each child in the family. Makes 6 nests.

Originally published in FamilyFun magazine.