Cotton Candy Meringues for a Special Birthday

When I heard that Kristan of Confessions of a Cookbook Queen was having a birthday today, I immediately wanted to help celebrate!  I’ve been a long-time fan of her creative desserts, not to mention her hilarious point of view and true-to-life anecdotes. Yes, she’s smart and funny, but above all- she’s as sweet as her confections. I deeply admire the openness she has with her readers, and even though we’ve never met in person, I consider her a friend!

Kristan loves all things pink and sparkly (helloo, a kindred spirit!), so I created these glittering pink cotton candy meringues for her special day.  They are just as easy to make as standard meringues!  Just swap out the granulated sugar for finely ground cotton candy sugar.  They are melt-on-your-tongue delicious, and much more stable than cotton candy, which will melt away before your very eyes!

Be sure to check out all of Kristan’s birthday party fare at the following sites:

Happy Birthday Kristan!  Hope your day is special!

Note: Lots of you are asking where to buy cotton candy granules.  You can find them online –Amazon sells them in various sizes and variety packs– restaurant supply stores are a good place to look -or your local party rental store may have some if they rent cotton candy machines.

Cotton Candy Meringues

Approximately 36 cookies                     [click for printable version]                  

2 egg whites, at room
temperature

Pinch of cream of
tartar

1/2 cup finely ground
cotton candy granules

*Note: Grind cotton
candy granules in a food processor until slightly powdery.

  1. Preheat the oven to
    170°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Fit a large pastry bag with a large French
    piping tip.
  2. Place the egg
    whites in a spotlessly clean bowl and whip them with an electric mixer on medium
    speed until frothy.
  3. Stop the mixer and
    add the cream of tartar. Start the mixer again and continue to beat the egg
    whites.
  4. Once the egg whites
    form soft peaks, increase the speed to high and gradually add the cotton candy sugar, a
    little at a time.
  5. Beat the egg whites
    until they are very shiny and hold stiff peaks but are not dry or crumbly,
    about 7 minutes.
  6. To make sure the
    sugar has completely dissolved, rub a bit of the meringue between two fingers
    to see if any granules of sugar remain. If grains are present, continue to beat
    the meringue until the sugar has fully dissolved.
  7. Spoon the meringue
    into the pastry bag and pipe onto the prepared cookie sheets. Meringue can also
    be dolloped onto parchment by heaping spoonfuls if you have no piping bags or
    decorator tips.
  8. Bake the meringues
    for 90 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even
    cooking.
  9. When the meringues
    are done, turn off the oven and let them stand in the closed oven for several hours
    or overnight. The meringues should be hard and dry to the touch, and you should
    be able to easily lift them from the parchment.

*Disco dust is sold at cake specialty shops and online.  If using, sprinkle a little on before baking.

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Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
12 years ago

heather, these are GORGEOUS!!!!

please please please make me some for my birthday too 🙂

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
12 years ago

You send me your address Heather, and I will do it!!

xo!

LilaLoa
LilaLoa
12 years ago

Disco dust and cotton candy granules — could there EXIST a better idea?!

IFeelCook
IFeelCook
12 years ago

So lovely!! You are so nice to cook these cute meringues for her 🙂 My birthday is in June… ;P

Connie @ Daydream In Color
Connie @ Daydream In Color
12 years ago

These are soo pretty! I love the extra sparkle you gave them!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
12 years ago

Sooo pretty and dreamlike! What a great gift and wonderful idea.

Cheers,

Rosa

Darla | Bakingdom
Darla | Bakingdom
12 years ago

Yummm! I love meringues…especially pink ones. And the glitter only makes them even better! Cotton candy meringues sound amazing, and they're dressed up perfectly for Kristan. 🙂

Cookbook Queen
Cookbook Queen
12 years ago

Heather, these are BEYOND perfect. I am just speechless this morning. So so grateful to know you. Thank you for making my morning!!!!!!

Lora
Lora
12 years ago

what girl would not love sparkly pink meringues for her birthday. How pretty and thoughtful!

Giselle
Giselle
12 years ago

These are perfect! How did you get your disco dust to show up in the picture? I had disco dust on my cupcakes but it didn't show up for some reason.

Shannon
Shannon
12 years ago

Those are too cute. Sparkly and pink, gotta love it.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Aww so nice! These are absolutely lovely!

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
12 years ago

These are way too cute. I haven't had a meringue in the longest time!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Love your website, I just started my own and yours is a huge inspiration for me. Check mine out if you don't mind, I'd love to get your opinion on it.

bridget {bake at 350}
bridget {bake at 350}
12 years ago

So, so perfect for Kristan!!! These, like everything you do, are gorgeous!

Sue
Sue
12 years ago

What perfectly beautiful little treats for Kristan! Lovin' the sparkle!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

very beautiful ^_^

Sara
Sara
12 years ago

wow! eye candy and I bet tasty too!

cookies and cups
cookies and cups
12 years ago

completely brilliant!

Keri-Ann
Keri-Ann
12 years ago

Ooohhh, contemplating ideas for my sweet almost-seven year old's Pinkalicious b-day party… THIS one wins! 😀 <3

Mara Campbell
Mara Campbell
12 years ago

Beautiful!!!! I love the pink!!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

I will be letting you know in advance of my birthday, lol. These look adorable and tasty.

Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
12 years ago

These really are perfect for Kristan's birthday and just so pretty!

Krissy's Creations
Krissy's Creations
12 years ago

These are perfect for the Cookbook Queen! Pink & Sparkly :). Such a great idea to add Cotton Candy flavor to meringues. Lovely dessert!

Kavi @ Lab to Fab!
Kavi @ Lab to Fab!
12 years ago

Gorgeous! Your photography and decorations are awesome, as always!

Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
12 years ago

I love love cotton candy. I'd ask to go to the circus just to eat cotton candy as a kid. These are perfect!

Kristen
Kristen
12 years ago

This are so brilliant! My son asked me to make meringues for his birthday, of all things. Cotton Candy meringues would be an extra awesome treat!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

Beautiful… you are so talented I can't believe these are actually real. Your skills are amazing! Great job!

xo. A Southern Bee Diary

🙂

justine
justine
12 years ago

love! my husband loves cotton candy, so i will have to make these for him (well, and myself of course). is cotton candy granules easy to find?

SweetSugarBelle
SweetSugarBelle
12 years ago

Heather! I love these! Besides being the perfect color, they are cotton candy flavored! You had a genius moment with that! These are absolutely beautiful!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

So pretty! I did not know you can buy cotton candy sugar.

GoodCupcakesGood
GoodCupcakesGood
12 years ago

Beautiful! I have no other words!

Yuri - Chef Pandita
Yuri - Chef Pandita
12 years ago

Gorgeous 🙂

A Canadian Foodie
A Canadian Foodie
12 years ago

You are one talented woman – both in cooking and in photography. STUNNING!
🙂
Valerie

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

These look so pretty and sparkley! I've never heard of cotton candy granules, but now I feel that it is my missionto hunt them down to make these because I love cotton candy flavored things (cotton candy Dum Dums = LOVE)

little random happiness
little random happiness
12 years ago

So pretty!!! I love the sparkly pink meringues with the black and white ribbon…very Parisian 🙂

Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
12 years ago

Oh my goodness these look delicious, Heather! I love them even more knowing they're for Kristan. She's a sweetie pie that deserves all this pink sparkly sweetness.

Mary
Mary
12 years ago

you are a food artist! i so love looking at your blog- i still haven't gotten up the nerve to try anything yet because your perfection is intimidating… but there's a someday!

Dana
Dana
12 years ago

these are GORGEOUS…just like everything else you make 🙂

http://woodstockwardrobe.com/

Paula
Paula
12 years ago

These are perfect for Kristan. Petite, Pink, and Sparkly! They are really a beautiful little treat.

Jennifer (Delicieux)
Jennifer (Delicieux)
12 years ago

SOOOOO gorgeous!!!!! They are all just so perfect and the disco dust is the magic finishing touch!

Dana@TheSundaySweet
Dana@TheSundaySweet
12 years ago

I want you as a friend! I would be over-the-moon happy if someone made these for me. I love them.

Kulsum@JourneyKitchen
Kulsum@JourneyKitchen
12 years ago

What a fabulous idea! LOVE it

Gerdy
Gerdy
12 years ago

so beautiful … pink and sparkly <3
what tip do you use ?

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

This is SUCH a good idea – your meringues are absolutely perfect! Love the addition of cotton candy and the gorgeous pink colour.

Rituparna
Rituparna
12 years ago

Happy Birthday to Kristan. How adorable are those ! I have a Birthday coming in May Heather 🙂

Sande
Sande
12 years ago

Help! these look fabulous and I would love to make these for someone special. However, I am not sure what is meant by cotton candy granules? Can someone explain? Thank you!

Cookin' Canuck
Cookin' Canuck
12 years ago

These are absolutely gorgeous! Happy Birthday to sweet (and damn funny) Kristan.

Lily @ Sugar and Slice
Lily @ Sugar and Slice
12 years ago

These are just adorable! I'm in love!

Laurie {Simply Scratch}
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
12 years ago

These are so pretty and dainty and cute and I LOVE THEM!!