Whip chickpea liquid into glossy peaks and bake it into miracle meringues. A clever vegan swap that turns simple ingredients into show-stopping desserts.
Ingredients
- 120 ml aquafaba the strained liquid from a 400g tin chickpeas
- ½ tsp white or red wine vinegar
- 125 g caster superfine sugar
- fresh fruit to serve
For the coconut whipped cream:
- 2 x 400g cans full-fat coconut milk chilled overnight
- 100 g icing confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 100°C and line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment.
- In a large, grease-free bowl with an electric mix, or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the aquafaba for 10 minutes, until the mixture has stiff peaks. Add the vinegar and whisk for one minute more, then start adding the sugar, very slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time, whipping well between each addition.
- Once all the sugar has been used up and the meringue is smooth, stiff and glossy, spoon or pipe 8 equal-sized meringues onto the prepared baking sheets, then transfer to the oven to bake for 2 hours. After this time, turn off the oven and open the door slightly, but leave the meringues inside for a further 45–60 minutes.
- Test the meringues are done by tapping the bases – they should be dry to the touch and sound hollow. The meringues can be used straightaway or kept in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Bake for 2 hours, then turn off the oven and leave meringues inside with oven door open slightly for a further ¾–1 hour. Make sure they are very dry and sound hollow when you tap the base. Use straightaway or transfer to an airtight container for up to a week, until ready to use.
- To make the coconut whipped cream, scoop the hard, thickened coconut cream from the top of the cans into a large bowl, being careful not to add any thinner liquid.
- Add the icing (confectioners’) sugar and vanilla extract, and whisk with an electric beater for about 2 minutes, until fluffy.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before using.
- Serve the meringues topped with coconut whipped cream and the fruit of your choice.