Giant Dinosaur Eggs Filled with Nutella
- 4 egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 cup extra-fine sugar (you can make your own by grinding granulated sugar in a food processor)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste)
- 3 cups Nutella or prepared pudding (approximately 1/4 cup of filling per egg)
- Heat the oven to 250 degrees F (225 degrees F if you have a convection oven).
- Line two sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the egg whites on low to medium-low speed until they form soft peaks, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Increase the speed to medium and beat in the sugar 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Beat until the mixture is glossy and thick; it will resemble marshmallow cream.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and scrape any meringue off the whisk.
- Sift the cornstarch over the meringue, add the vinegar and vanilla, and gently fold until everything is incorporated.
- Dip a very large spoon into warm water.
- Let excess water drip off, then scoop into the meringue.
- Drop the meringue onto one of the prepared pans; the shape of the spoon is oval, so when you place the meringue on the sheet pan, it should resemble a jumbo egg.
- Continue scooping, rinsing the spoon in warm water after every scoop for neat, smooth meringues.
- Bake the meringues into the oven and bake until they are very light and dry and easily lift off the pan, at least 90 minutes.
- If they start to color slightly, lower the oven by at least 25 degrees F. Don't rush the meringues; when in doubt, leave them in longer.
- Turn off the oven (don't open the door).
- Let the meringues cool slowly in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove the pans from the cool oven.
- The meringues are ready to be filled when totally cooled.
- Fit a piping bag with a doughnut-filling tip or a plain number 5, 6 or 7 tip.
- Fill the bag with the Nutella or (or chocolate, vanilla or butterscotch pudding).
- Flip each egg over and, with a melon baller, make a hole just large enough for the tip of the piping bag to fit.
- Squeeze the filling into an egg just until you can see that it's starting to come out.
- Flip the egg onto a serving platter.
- Continue until all the eggs are filled.
- Instant birthday party!
- Mark my words, this will become the new birthday cake.
egg whites, sugar, cornstarch, white vinegar, vanilla, nutella
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giant-dinosaur-eggs-filled-with-nutella.html (may not work)