Last Updated on February 6, 2023
How long does meringue last? This is one of those questions you’ve asked yourself at least once in your life. And you won’t believe what the answer is.
We’ve done some tests already. Our food chemists’ team helped us do the process of checking the shelf life of some foods and dishes. This time we bring you: meringues.
There are many recipes to make meringues, many preparations, and desserts that we can make with them. And surely you have wondered how long the meringue lasts. Well, is time for you to take some notes!
Meringue: A Cloud Sigh
As we know, meringues are a dense foam whose main ingredients are two: egg whites and sugar. The egg whites are mounted until it adopts a fluffy texture – or point of snow until it forms peaks. This foam is formed by beating the egg protein, called albumin.
Egg whites are 88% water. For instance, sugar likes water, so sugar molecules are surrounded by water molecules when you whisk them together. Preventing these gas bubbles from escaping.
The use of meringue is quite varied, it can be used to fill cakes or other baking products. It can also be baked giving it a soft or hard texture. But today, our protagonist is hard meringue.
When baked, you evaporate almost all the water, while the sugar remains in a light, aerated structure. Certainly, they are extremely easy to make but even easier to damage. So we must be very careful when making them, as well as learn the right way to store them.
Meringues are usually flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, lemon, etc. My favorites are always going to be vanilla and chocolate. But hey, all we need to do is get creative!
Continue reading to find out how long the meringue and baked meringues last.
Meringue’s Shelf Life
How long does meringue last? The first thing we must say is that a raw meringue will not last as long as a baked meringue. For the obvious reason that most of the water has evaporated.
Therefore, it’s very important to determine what kind of meringue we are talking about. For example:
- The raw meringue will last in the refrigerator for an average of 2 to 3 days.
- Italian meringue lasts in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, because the egg whites are cooked.
- And the dry or cooked meringue – which is also called bakery meringue, is kept in perfect condition for 1 year. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, in a container with a lid, and kept away from direct sunlight.
We recommend you check the expiration date on the packaging in case you bought them.
How to Tell if Meringue is Bad, Rotten, or Spoiled?
Our senses are the most reliable instruments to help us know if food has gone bad or has been spoiled. Mold can sometimes appear if the food contains enough water. There are certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so make sure you always practice food safety.
With hard-baked meringues, it can be very hard to tell if they have been spoiled. After its shelf lifetime, you will have to taste it to make sure it still has the crispiness and sugary flavor. On the other hand, if you notice that its texture has changed, you will see that it’s chewy and its taste has become bitter or rancid, then let me tell you the meringues have expired.
Storing Meringues
Meringues should be stored in a tightly closed container or wrapped with plastic film – or Ziploc – to keep out air and other contaminants. They can be stored in the refrigerator, left on the counter, or even frozen if desired.
If you want them for a long-term option, make sure to let them cool down to room temperature before you get them into the freezer. This is actually the best method to store them, according to our Pastry Chefs.
However, leaving them in a container with a lid, in a dry place, and away from sunlight, is still perfect. The ideal room temperature for storing them is 23 degrees Celsius.
Here’s another tip; if you will like to preserve its taste, you can use an air-tight freezer-safe container! These containers were specially designed for freezers. They’re made out of Tritan material to help you see what’s inside. You can use one of these food storage containers.
Now, let’s pretend that you’re in a hurry and you were not prepared with a food storage container. No problem, another thing that works perfectly for storing your meringues is plastic film. You can find this at any local store, bakery, or grocery store near to you.
Don’t tell me you don’t have any of these! Ok, let me give you two more tips and good news.
- Go to the grocery store to buy either a container or plastic film. You can leave your meringues there, on the counter.
- You can go ask your favorite neighbor for help, I’m sure they will have some plastic containers or film in the meantime.
And the good news is that you already know how long they last, so you have plenty of time to get prepared.
Read more about Can You Freeze Buttercream Frosting: Yes or No?
What About Raw Meringue?
Fresh meringue cannot be frozen, due to the sugar that this sweet contains, because it will melt. What makes conservation better in a dry place? Even so, if you have bought it, this may contain some conservatives, which will give it more margin of conservation.
Benefits of Proper Food Storage
Proper food storage prevents the growth of microorganisms, as well as reduces the oxidation of fats that causes rancidity. Some other benefits are:
- Eating healthier
- Cutting food costs
- Helping the environment by avoiding waste – great for our zero-waste lovers!
How to Store Uncooked Meringue Mixture
When it comes to storing uncooked meringue mixture, the storage method is different from cooked meringue, and it’s important to remember that. It’s also important to mention that you should use uncooked meringue mixture immediately for best results. However, if not, you can keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If doing this, you should cook the mixture within 24 hours.
Do Meringue Cookies Need to be Refrigerated?
Once cooked, you do not need to keep meringue cookies in the fridge. They can be kept at room temperature for up to around two weeks. However, they should be kept in an airtight container.
Can You Eat Meringue Raw?
Under no circumstance should you ever eat raw meringue mixture? The main ingredient in meringue is egg whites. Eating raw egg whites is dangerous, as they may contain bacteria such as salmonella. Salmonella can cause many problems such as gastro (abdominal cramps and diarrhea), vomiting, and fever.
Why Does Meringue Sweat?
Unfortunately, if not cooked correctly, meringue can sweat (sometimes better known as weeping). This happens for one of two reasons: it isn’t fully cooked throughout, or there’s an increased amount of moisture. Just ensure your meringues are cooked enough before removing them from the oven, or you can add an ingredient such as cornstarch. Cornstarch works well for stabilizing many baked goods. You shouldn’t need more than a tablespoon.
How to Make Your Own Meringues
Now we know about all things meringue, you may be wondering how to make your own. Meringues don’t require many ingredients at all and while they take some practice to perfect; they’re definitely worth the effort once you’ve perfected them. The only ingredients you’ll need for this are:
- 4 egg whites
- 1 1/4 cups of white sugar
Now all you need to do is:
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Gather your ingredients and preheat your oven to 225F.
Step 2: Whisk
Separate your eggs and set aside your egg whites in a clean bowl. Using a whisk or stand mixer, mix the egg whites until they become stiff.
Step 3: Add sugar
Once stuffed, add the sugar. Keep whisking for another minute or so, until it becomes to look glossy.
Step 4: Add color
If you’d like, add food coloring or flavoring, if desired. You’ll only need a drop or two of food coloring.
Step 5: Bake
On a lined baking sheet, drop around two tablespoons of uncooked meringue mixture, for each meringue. Place in the center of your preheated oven for around 90 minutes. You can make a small dent in the center of each meringue if you’re planning on filling the meringue with fruit, ice cream, etc.
Step 6: Cool
Once baked, remove from oven and leave to cool before serving. Be gentle when doing this as they are susceptible to break. Serve and enjoy with toppings of your choice, or serve as they are!
In Conclusion
As you may know, practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help you prevent foodborne illness. Remember, there’s nothing like enjoying your foods before their shelf life has expired. I hope this post has helped to answer the question: how long does meringue last? And give you an insight into all things meringue. If you have any tips or tricks when it comes to meringues, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!
Healthy advice: please eat responsibly and share your meringues with your friends and family!
Read more about What Is Meringue Powder Used For?
Make Your Own Meringues
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients and preheat your oven to 225F.
- Separate your eggs and set aside your egg whites in a clean bowl. Using a whisk or stand mixer, mix the egg whites until they become stiff.
- Once stuffed, add the sugar. Keep whisking for another minute or so, until it becomes to look glossy.
- If you'd like, add food coloring or flavoring, if desired. You'll only need a drop or two of food coloring.
- On a lined baking sheet, drop around two tablespoons of uncooked meringue mixture, for each meringue. Place in the center of your preheated oven for around 90 minutes. You can make a small dent in the center of each meringue if you're planning on filling the meringue with fruit, ice cream, etc.
- Once baked, remove from oven and leave to cool before serving. Be gentle when doing this as they are susceptible to break. Serve and enjoy with toppings of your choice, or serve as they are!
