Meringue Shells with Hot Fudge Sauce
Need a make ahead dessert that’s still impressive to your guests? These sweet meringue shells pair perfectly with ice cream or whipped cream and berries. Top with homemade hot fudge sauce for the perfect Valentine’s Day Dessert.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Time to plan a sweet treat for your loved ones. If you’re more comfortable with a make-ahead dessert, today’s recipes (a two-for-one) can look impressive but are easy to make earlier. Handed-down recipes from mom and grandma, these Meringue Shells with Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce are a sweet treat, indeed!
Today’s post is part of our monthly Pinterest Challenge, hosted by Cindy at County Road 407. Usually we’re decorating around an inspirational photo, but this month we’re switching it up and sending yummy Valentine’s recipes your way! I’m sure our mouths will be drooling when we see all these delicious ideas!
If you’re visiting from My Family Thyme, I’m sure you enjoyed Lynn’s sweet recipe that uses rice cakes; who would have thought! I’ll have all the rest of the dessert recipes at the end. Get ready to Pin away!
Meringue Shells with Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
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Like I said, this recipe combo comes from my mom and grandma. I remember mom making these sweetly crisp Meringue Shells for a baby shower years ago. They’re like a piece of light, crispy cotton candy. You could make them whatever color you need to coordinate with your party. This Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce from Grandma’s recipe box is good enough to eat by the spoonful! Paired together they’re a yummy idea for Valentine’s.
They can both be made ahead of time. When it’s time to serve dessert, simply add a scoop of your favorite ice cream or gelato and drizzle on warmed chocolate sauce. Fresh fruit and whipped cream could also be added to the treat. Impressive yet easy is the best combo!
Recipe and Instructions for Meringue Shells
Meringue Shells
These light, crisp Meringue Shells are like baked cotton candy. An easy make-ahead dessert you can add ice cream or whipped cream to.
Ingredients
- 6 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 drops red food coloring (or whatever color you choose)
Instructions
- Place egg whites in mixing bowl for 30 minutes to get to room temperature.
- Add vanilla and cream of tartar.
- Beat on medium till stiff peaks form.
- Add 3 drops of red food coloring for light pink shells.
- Gradually add sugar by couple tablespoons until dissolved
- On 2 parchment lined sheets, make 12 3-4" rounds. You can either shape into a bowl with the back of a spoon or place meringue in a pastry bag or ziplock with corner cut off. You can see the difference in photo.
- Bake at 225 degrees until set and dry, 60-90 minutes. Turn off oven and leave for 1 hour more.
- Cool on wire racks.
Notes
Light and crispy with a chewy middle. Freezable. Store in air-tight container.
Serve with ice cream and hot fudge sauce or whipped cream and berries.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 107Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 2g
Recipe and Instructions for Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
This homemeade hot fudge sauce is the perfect topping for ice cream. Serve warm for a delicious, easy dessert.
Ingredients
- 3, 1 ounce squares unsweetened baking chocolate
- 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 12 ounce can Carnation evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Melt chocolate squares. Use double boiler or place a saucepan in another with water so you don't burn.
- Add sugar, salt, cream of tartar and evaporated milk. Stir constantly and bring to boil.
- Turn off heat and add vanilla.
- Let sit until cooled off slightly. It will thicken. Serve warm with ice cream.
Notes
Wonderful thick, sugary texture like liquid fudge! You'll want to eat it by the spoonful:) Add it to your coffee for an extra treat!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 186Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 124mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 1gSugar: 28gProtein: 3g
Valentine’s Dessert Ideas
It’s fun to treat those you care for with a special dessert or dinner for Valentine’s Day. Last year I embraced the charcuterie trend and put together a luscious spread for a special college friend’s Galentine’s dinner (“Valentine’s Dessert Charcuterie How To“). It was so fun to set a pretty, romantic table with vintage finds (“A Very Vintage Valentine’s Tablescape“).
Get more of my Valentine’s decorating & recipe ideas:
“Upcycled Vintage Valentine Cloche”
“Valentine’s Day Decor in the Kitchen”
Appreciating and treating those we love is an act of service we will never regret! We never know what the future holds; be sure to let those you care about know you love them by doing something special this Valentine’s Day.
For more dessert ideas, visit Wendy at WM Design House next. Wendy is a talented, creative lady and everything she touches is beautiful. You’re in for a treat when you visit her blog!
Thanks for reading Meringue Shells with Hot Fudge Sauce. If you enjoyed your visit, be sure to become an Insider to keep the ideas coming!
Pin, share, and enjoy the rest of the inspiration!
Pinterest Challenge: Valentine’s Recipes
Sharing at these lovely parties:
I think these meringue shells would look “💕 ly” on a valentine dessert table with peppermint ice cream!
Look and taste good!
I love the texture of meringues. Adding the chocolate sauce is a great idea for adding color and yummy flavor.
It is a good combo, indeed!
Lora, my goodness! I bet these meringue shells with hot fudge are decadently delicious!!! Such a feast for the eyes… Thank you for the recipe and I will try these soon. <3
Happy Valentine's hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thanks, Barbara:)
Lora, this combination looks so beautiful and delicious! I love that these are recipes from your mom and grandma. I can’t wait to give this a try! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks, Lynne:)
As soon as I heard what these were called I thought of the olden days when we had bridal showers when all the old ladies at church hosted them. Then you said a baby shower and I thought of course! They look so fun and I love the old fashion look to them. Can’t beat a recipe from grandma! Thank you for joining in. Love that plate too. Happy Valentine’s Day! pinned
Yes, I miss the old church shower days! Always good fellowship:) I was thinking these would be cute as a brown nest for a boy’s shower;) We’re on the same brain waves, friend!
I’ve always wanted to try meringue shells, but never have. Now that you’ve made I look so easy, I’ll need to get busy, too!
Thanks for sharing.
They are easy and kinda fancy;) Thanks, Niky!
This looks amazing. Mom and I have been watching the Great British Baking Show the last couple weeks, and it’s so fun to watch about different types of meringues and how they are cooked. Had no idea that you could cook and then leave in the oven! Cool! Pinned!
Yes, they’re so easy, Julie!
These are so cute! I love that they can be made ahead and frozen. I can’t wait to make these!
Lora, this is so beautiful and sounds delicious. I am so impressed you made your own fudge. I have pinned this for reference.
What a pretty dessert!! It looks so tasty! How fun that it’s been passed down! Thanks for coming by to the Home Imagined link party, Lora!
These will be so good and so will the hot fudge sauce. I think my mom use to make those meringue shells. Pinned it.
Enjoy!
Looks so good, Lora and that dish is adorable!
Just picked it up at the thrift store;)
Your recipe tutorial is so helpful Lora! I can’t wait to make meringue shells. They look so fancy and make a beautiful presentation! Pinning!
And they’re so easy, Michelle!
This looks so beautiful. And, sounds yummy!
Just like cotton candy;)
Pinned this one to definitely make. I love a dessert that looks like you worked all day and also looks impressive. This one does the trick for sure. The meringue shells look so good and are so much easier to make than I thought. Can’t wait to give this a try.
Yes, impressive yet easy is what I like, too!
My daughter loves Baked Alaska so I bet she would love this recipe!
I bet she would!
We love meringue desserts, they feel so decadent! That fudge sauce looks amazing, I have never made it before! Thanks to your grandma for the recipe 💕 Pinned
Love the crunchy, chewy texture of baked meringue:)
Hi Lora, Oh I am going to have to try this recipe! I have never made meringue.
Pinned! Happy Day, laura in Colorado
So easy, yet it’s fancy. Good luck!