Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Basic French Meringue 3.4 (7) Use this simple meringue for cookies and pavlova. Close Servings: 6 Yield: 12 floating islands Jump to recipe French meringue is a simple type of meringue made with egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar. The ingredients are whipped together until they are light and fluffy, and stiff peaks form on your beater. French meringue does not require heating, as Swiss or Italian meringues do—but it must be baked to be safe to eat—and should be used immediately after it is made. We use our French meringue to make Floating Islands With Ricotta Cream and Poached Apricots, where the meringues are poached in milk. More often, French meringues are baked at a low temperature and might be made into meringue cookies or pavlova. Making Meringue Is Easy—All You Need Are 2 Ingredients and Our Expert Tips Directions Whisk egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar: Whisk whites, salt, and cream of tartar with a mixer on medium-low speed until foamy. Add sugar: Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until sugar dissolves and soft peaks form. Whisk until stiff peaks form: Gradually increase speed to medium-high, and whisk until stiff peaks form, 8 to 10 minutes. Use immediately. Other Meringue Recipes to Try: Simple Meringue Basic Swiss Meringue Basic Italian Meringue Meringue Cups French Meringue Cookies