My teenage boys love these Pumpkin Spice Meringues. They plowed through batch after batch as I tested them. Yes, the boys are not only cookie lovers, they are meringue cookie lovers and devour my baking recipes. Right now they are asking for my Paleo Pumpkin Pie a couple of times each week. Of course I oblige! I am completely obsessed with pumpkin recipes, and especially pumpkin desserts now that fall is here.
The recipe for these Paleo Pumpkin Spice Meringues went through several iterations. The winning recipe is the one featured below in the grey box. Runner up, and a very close second, was a batch of Pumpkin Spice Meringues that had one-quarter teaspoon each of ginger and nutmeg, plus a pinch of cloves –all of the other ingredients stayed the same. This, more spicy formulation was the adult favorite. However, it was a bit too spicy for the boys, although they ate them all up just as greedily.
So here’s my advice, if you like spicy food and are craving antioxidant rich, warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, use the aforementioned measurements for your pumpkin spice meringues. If not, go with the regular recipe below.
Pumpkin Spice Meringues
Ingredients
- 2 egg whites
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- In a medium pot, combine egg whites and maple syrup
- Turn flame on to lowest setting possible
- Using a hand blender with whisk attachment, whisk 4-5 minutes, until stiff glossy peaks form
- Blend in spices
- Fit a pastry bag with a ⅜-inch round tip (ateco #804) and fill bag with meringue
- Pipe meringue kisses 1-inch in diameter onto parchment paper lined baking sheets
- Bake at 200°F for 2 hours
- Allow to cool for 1 hour
- Serve
This recipe for Pumpkin Spice Meringue cookies is based on a Meringue Frosting recipe in my first book, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook. Please note, You don’t have to use a pastry bag for this recipe. You can drop the batter a spoonful at a time onto a parchment lined baking sheet, which might not look as nice, but will be quick and easy.
Another relevant note, these meringues do not taste nearly as good when made with honey. Although they work with honey in place of the maple syrup, it creates a strong, cloying flavor. They are much better with maple syrup. According to Martha Stewart, meringues can be made 5 days ahead and stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature. And although Martha uses a stand mixer to make her meringues, I simply use the whisk attachment on a hand blender to make these. In fact, I don’t own a stand mixer.
As you know I am a big fan of all things paleo and pumpkin spice. If you are too, try my Pumpkin Spice Latte and take a look at all of my Pumpkin Recipes!
Ashton says
Hmm this is very tasty, but mine never actually got to stiff peaks- it got kind of close and then collapsed. I wonder if it’s because I just have the electric glass kind of stove top instead of one with an actual flame, or because I got anxious about knocking over the cup of spices while using the mixer so i added it in while it was at soft peaks?
Either way, it’s still pretty good as a failed meringue dumped into a pan and baked into a soft squishy gooey thing, which is how my “meringues” tend to turn out hehe
Elana says
Thanks Ashton!
Ann Bartholomew says
I will add 1/8 t. cloves & substitute mace for the nutmeg…
Elana says
Thanks Ann.