How to make meringue – recipes and tips for The Great British Bake Off 2017 showstopper challenge

THE ninth episode of Bake Off marks the semi-final and will see contestants tasked by Paul and Prue to make the perfect meringues.

There's no doubt viewers mouths will be watering at the tantalising recipe, so here's how to replicate it at home.

Fancy making a meringue? Here is a traditional recipe

What ingredients do you need to make meringues?

According to a recipe attributed to James Martin on BBC Food, it takes less than 30 mins to prep the tasty treats together but the meringues can take over two hours to crisp.

James' version simply serves up the meringues with strawberries and cream.

You will need:

For the meringue:

8 free-range eggs, whites only
200g white caster sugar

Meringues can be served with a variety of toppings

For the filling:

400ml double cream
2 tbsp icing sugar
250g strawberries, hulled and quartered

How do you make meringues?

Method:

For the meringue, preheat the oven to 100C/200F/Gas ¾. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
Place the egg whites into a clean glass or metal bowl and whisk until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed.
Gradually add the sugar and continue to whisk until stiff peaks form when the whisk is removed.
Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a large plain or star nozzle.
Pipe into 16 small rounds onto the prepared baking tray.
Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Turn the oven off but leave the meringues in the oven for at least two hours.
When crisp, remove from the oven
For the filling, whisk the cream and icing sugar together until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed. Fold in half the strawberries.
Place a meringue onto a serving plate. Spread the whipped cream lightly over the meringue to cover totally, and top with more strawberries. Place another meringue on top of the strawberries.
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