Sunday, December 29, 2013

To a Sweet New Year: Citrus Champagne Meringues



While each culture has their own unique New Year's traditions, the including of champagne or some variety of spirited bubbly on the holiday menu seems to be a custom which is a popular theme throughout the world. 
With the frenzy of Christmas behind us but still riding the sugared Christmas cookie craze, I thought it would be fun to use some sparkling spirits to whip up one more sweet confection to help ring in the upcoming year.
For me, with the passing years, boisterous gala celebrations have given way to quieter evenings at home (Admittedly I slept through the last few midnights) but adding a celebratory treat can make even an evening donning PJ's in your living room feel festive.
In this recipe, I gave a nod to the effervescent Mimosa (a superbly simple mix of champagne and orange juice), subbing in a tad more special blood orange juice for the regular variety and, in the interest of thrift, a rose Spumante in place of real champagne.


label created with an adorable image from vintage holiday crafts

This is a basic meringue recipe which, although can tie up the oven for a good amount of time, really isn't very difficult to make. In addition, it can be endlessly adapted using a variety of flavors, extracts or add ins.
I originally used this very forgiving recipe for peppermint meringues (which were delicious) found at the fun blog Memories by the Mile and have since used it often as a starting point for experimenting with a different flavor combinations.
Here, I used a cookie press with an icing adapter for elegant swirls, but have also made them by simply dropping spoonfuls right onto tray for quick and easy cloud like puffs.


Citrus Meringues with "Champagne" Frosting

for the meringues
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
juice from 1 small orange or blood orange
food coloring if desired
      preheat oven to 225

In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy.
Sprinkle with salt and cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form
Add sugar and orange juice and beat until stiff peaks form. I also added 2 drops of neon pink food coloring to enhance the color.
pipe in circles (creating a well in center for frosting)onto parchment or foil lined cookie sheets
This took a bit of practice

Bake at 225 for 90 minutes
Turn off oven leaving meringues inside with oven door slightly ajar about another hour or until cooled

Citrus "Champagne" Frosting
adapted from Sweets with Sara


Simple ingredients and some accessories
I added a sprinkling of pearl and silver sprinkles for a bubbly effect
Display with festive noisemakers and mini bottles of bubbly
A straw is spruced up with a Bonne Annee banner and gold star accent 

Though sweet, these meringues have a light airy texture

For a how-to for the easy vintage inspired noisemakers (which I reused in this post) and for other New Years idea's you can flashback to Pennywise's last year's Auld Lang Syne
$ store party favors get a makeover
leftover clear ornament globes 
create a "bubbly" tablescape

and now for the blooper shot,
Chloe took advantage of my split second absence to sample the treats

Wishing Everyone the Sweetest of
New Years!



29 comments:

  1. Christina, your New Years Eve post is simply gorgeous. You have such a talent for creating sophisticated and beautiful décor. Cannot wait to see what 2014 brings. Happy Holiday. Pat.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Pat! Thank goodness my cat only stepped in to "help" when I was done :) Wishing you and yours a very Happy 2014!

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  2. Hi Christina,
    Your champagne meringues are so pretty in pink! I have never made meringues but am tempted to try at times. Thank you for sharing and joining me for tea. Happy New Year!

    Christmas blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Thanks so much Sandi,
      I really enjoy your weekly tea parties- Thanks for hosting!
      Hope you give meringues a try- I'm not much of a baker but these are pretty simple and lovely with tea!
      Wishing you a Happy and healthy 2014!

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    2. Your meringues look amazing! Thank you for sharing. That is such a funny shot of your kitty!
      Happy New Year!

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  3. Those meringues are beautiful, and your pictures are lovely! I'm going to bookmark this, and definitely try your recipe. Love the vintage label too. And the kitty reminds me of mine, trying to sneak onto my tea table last night!!

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    1. Thanks so much Deborah! These were really pretty easy to make- I guess the cat image on the label was appropriate after all :)
      Happy 2014!

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  4. Your photos are so beautiful and your meringues look delicious!
    Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
    Your newest follower,
    ~Wendy

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. oops typos-
      Thanks so much Wendy! I'm so delighted you're following!
      Hope you have a Happy 2014!

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  5. Wonderfully festive New Year post! I love you meringue label! So cute! Your photos are wonderful! Thanks so much for your visit. Wishing you and yours the most wonderful 2014!
    Ruth

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words Ruth!
      Happy 2014 and I look forward to seeing more of your lovely tea collection!

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  6. Yum, those meringues look so festive! Love the ideas you have for New Year sparkle!

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    1. Thanks Debbi! The meringues are really easy! Happy 2014 :)

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  7. LOL! Love your post and the little touches... very neat! Thanks so much for stopping by! If I'm not following you already, I'm going to today.

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    1. Thanks so much Jillian- Glad you enjoyed it- I'm delighted you'll be following!

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  8. Hi: Love how you decorated for New Year's. I love the clear bulbs that look like snow. So perfect. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

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  9. Hi Christina, thanks so very much for the sweet comment you left on my blog LITTLE BRAGS on the loss of our Newfoundland Brucie. I tried to reply directly to your comment via email but you came up as a non reply blogger. xoxoxo Christine

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    1. Thanks for the message Christine- I will have to fix the no-reply issue- that happened before and I thought I fixed it - I'm not very techy- again sorry for your loss- your photos of Brucie were really amazing!

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  10. You always make such beautiful things! Darn that little kitty! lol!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words Jann!
      Yes the kitties always want to get involved in my projects! :)

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  11. Ooooh, you are making my mouth water.... especially, as I LOVE meringues, but haven't eaten one for 15 years (when diagnosed with diabetes *sigh*)
    But thank you for stopping by my blog yesterday and leaving a lovely comment :)
    I'll be back again, but I'm still catching up from the GYB party...
    PS I've visited you Etsy shop and favourited a few things :D

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    1. PPS I tried to follow your blog, but it wouldn't work... I'll try again later - I've bookmarked your blog in the meantime :)

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    2. Hi Claire!
      Seems my computer is in one of its moods -lol will try to fix it! I just added a few things to my shop yesterday but will have much more next week (inventory was a little low after the holidays) so glad you visited!

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  12. Now this is what I call, "Pretty in Pink'!!!! What a beautiful presentation and sounds YUMMY!!! Wish I had seen this before New Years!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words Pinky!
      Of course there's still Valentines :)
      Cheers

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  13. These are beautiful! So delicate! I can see them at a bridal or baby shower for a little girl. Your completed tablescape is very inviting and cozy!
    My favorite part though, as a cat lover, is your blooper shot! That would soooo be the case over here too! My Iggy is a little tiger and nosy as well!

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