Christmas Tree Meringues

aaaa… london! we had such a fun trip, and, though the city, naturally, was packed with people, it was actually quite relaxed, too. i had this revelation only recently, where i thought, you know, how it’s so much more fun and easy going to be among my besties – than (any of my past) boyfriends. i was never really lucky with relationships, i guess. but i certainly am lucky when it comes to girlfriends. so, i am kind of determined to just be aware of the good people and enjoy them even more, instead of missing a male counterpart, that, most likely – considering my luck in such things – wouldn’t make me happy, anyway. so, here i am, utterly in love with my girlfriends, haha.

and, to be honest, with london (as it’s a never ending love story) and with the english, too. maybe it was just some random cluster of nice coincidences, but were treated like princesses throughout our stay. everyone was friendly and smiling and making funny little remarks. already at immigration, the elderly gentleman who checked our passports exchanged a little chit chat with us, warmly welcoming us “fräuleins” here in his city. taxi drivers bid their goodbyes to us saying “cheers, loves” and well, we got a slot for tea time at the fancy “delauney” viennese tea room without so much as a reservation. in fact, we didn’t only get in, we actually got the best table. so we enjoyed the silver tea pots and shiny trays layered with sweet and savoury goodness, and, of course, heavenly sinful buttery scones, and i think it was perfection.

maybe we were met with so much kindness because of our smiling faces, that people acknowledged and reciprocated. or maybe it was due to our new, shiny frocks and gems (no need to share with you more insights about how we were completely rained on and how at least someone – i’m not saying it was me – was looking like a sheep, most of the time) but i really want to believe it’s just the magic of london and the city’s spell that is somehow on our side, for always, that makes normal girls turn into princesses.

and by the way, i’m now in a proper christmassy mood! no wonder, i’ve been listening to christmas oldies for the past 16 weeks! my mom got sick of it only by spending a couple of nights at my place for dinner and tea. haha. also, after so many candy canes and old school english sweets i can’t wait to cook and bake up a storm in the days to come. there will probably be holiday inspired sweets from my kitchen long after the 24th is over… but i like to hold on to good things for as long as humanly possible (good thing i’m living alone, too, i’ll probably cling to my christmas fairy lights and wreaths and baubles and pine cones and candles and candy canes until march, haha).

cheers, loves!

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1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, to clean the bowl and mixing tools

3 egg whites, at room temperature
125g (about 2/3 cup) sugar

1 tsp. baking powder
green food colouring (preferably gel colouring)

optional: sprinkles to decorate “tree tops”

preheat the oven to 120ºC (250ºF). clean the mioxing bowl by swiping over it with a clean, dry kitchen towel dampened with the lemon juice; to remove all potential grease. line two baking trays with baking paper. beat egg whites and baking powder on high with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. gradually add sugar and continue to beat until sugar is well incorporated. tint with as much green food colouring as needed until desired colour is achieved, and continue to beat until glossy and stiff. place mixture in a piping bag with with a star-shaped nozzle. pipe the meringue onto prepared trays in a tall-narrow spiral motion to create a tree shape. top each tree with a sprinkle. bake (or rather: dry) for about 45-60 minutes, until they easily lifts off the baking paper. when ready, turn off the oven and open the oven door slightly ajar and allow the meringues to cool completely in the oven. once cool, store in an airtight container until ready to serve – but, really, you should probably just eat them on the same day.

tipp: you could use the meringue trees as a cake decoration, or turn them into a christmassy eton mess.the amazing green cake plate is from en soie. i feel like drawing hearts all over, haha.