cherry hearts for christmas

Name: Cherry Hearts for Christmas
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: - meringue; 1/4 teaspoon(s) cream of tartar; 3/4 cup(s) sugar; 3 - egg whites; - filling; 1 package(s) about 3-4 ozs. cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup(s) sugar; 1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract; 1 cup(s) chilled whipping cream; 1 cup(s) miniature marshmallows; 1 1/2 pound(s) cherries stoned, or strawberries or mixed berries; 1/2 cup(s) sugar; 1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch; - fresh whole berries to decorate platter

(1 RATING)

29 Pinches 1 Photo

Angela Nair

Johannesburg

Updated on Dec 8, 2012

I was asked to make a dessert for a centrepiece. This frosty meringue dessert is beautiful and can become part of the Red, White and Green Christmas decorations! It is also perfect for a romantic Valentines Day dessert. You can bake the Meringue shell or buy one if its easier. Smaller heart shaped Meringue shells can be used for individual desserts - place them on a cakestand as a decorative centrepiece.

Rate

prep time 1 Hr

cook time 1 Hr 30 Min

method ---

yield 8

Ingredients

- meringue
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup sugar
3 - egg whites
- filling
1 package about 3-4 ozs. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chilled whipping cream
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 pounds cherries stoned, or strawberries or mixed berries
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
- fresh whole berries to decorate platter

How To Make cherry hearts for christmas

Step 1

MERINGUE: Heat oven to 275 deg F. Cover baking sheet with heavy baking or brown paper. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Beat in the sugar, about a tablespoon at a time, continue beating until stiff and glossy - do not underbeat.

Step 2

On baking paper, shape mereingue into a 9 inch heart (or a circle, you can make a template first), making sure you build up the sides.
Step 3

Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Turn off oven, leave meringue in oven with door closed for at least 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Step 4

FILLING: Blend sugar with cornstarch in medium saucepan. Stir in berries of your choice and lemonjuice. Cook slowly until sugar dissolves. Stir gently so as not to break the fruit. The whole fruit looks gorgeous on the meringue and cream base.
Step 5

Gently fold whipped cream and the marshmallows into the softened cream cheese. Pile into meringue shell. Chill for a few hours. Just before serving, pile filling onto meringue. Dust with icing sugar and cut into wedges. Place fresh fruit around platter to serve with meringue.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Comment & Reviews

Just A Pinch Sweepstakes