Meringue Ice Cream Cups

Perfect in their imperfection, these Vanilla Meringue Ice Cream Cups are an ideal project for little hands or clumsy bakers, like me.

close up of strawberry ice cream in a meringue cup with strawberry topping


 

I’m always trying to come up with new ways to have fun with the kids in the kitchen. Making memories like that with my kids is something I know we will both cherish forever.

Making Meringue

So when thinking up recipes, (especially desserts) I try to think about something relatively easy and fun that I can include them in.

And what could be more fun than ice cream, right??

scoop of strawberry ice cream on meringue

These Vanilla Meringue Ice Cream Cups are a great alternative to an ice cream cone. They are light and fluffy but also crunchy, and you will be surprised at how easy they are to make.

The kids can help you with the whipping process, because trust me it takes a lot of whipping to make these babies!

close up of empty meringue cup

Toppings

Let the kids choose their favorite ice cream to scoop into the bowl! Because these are made with vanilla flavoring, they match a wide variety of ice cream or gelato flavors. But here are some of my favorites:

spoon digging into ice cream with topping

And once you scoop in the ice cream, feel free to load up on toppings! These are some that we like to use:

overhead of ice cream and meringue with topping, nuts and mint

How to Make Vanilla Meringue Ice Cream Cups

The batter for meringue can be a little tricky, but as soon as you understand the basics, it all makes sense and you will have perfect meringue every time! It is the same as for meringue cookies.

First, make sure your bowl is super dry. Even a small droplet of water will mess with the consistency of the whipped eggs. In fact, I don’t even make meringue on humid or rainy days.

Also, metal bowls work much better than glass for any egg white mixture, especially these vanilla meringue ice cream cups. Cream of tartar also helps to stabilize. And lastly, don’t wimp out of the whipping.

meringue in a mixing bowl with a whisk

It takes a lot of whipping to get a stiff meringue, so just hang in there. Having a stand mixer, or at the very least an electric hand mixer, makes life a whole lot easier.

Low and slow is the name of the game for the cooking process and tada: easy vanilla meringue ice cream cups. After you master the basics of meringue, the possibilities are endless!

Now, spoon into 6 mounds on a lined cookie sheet. Parchment works best.

making wells in meringue cups

Then using the back of a spoon to make a well in each mound.

Bake at a low temperature until crunchy and crispy. When cooling, just crack the oven door instead of opening fully, which can shock the meringue and cause it to crack.

baking sheet with six meringue cups

Allow them to cool and then fill them with whatever your heart desires!

More ice cream treats to enjoy:

close up overhead shot of pina colada ice cream in pineapple

Piña Colada Ice Cream

Make your favorite frozen drink into tropical Piña Colada Ice Cream! Loads of coconut and pineapple will have you feeling like you are on vacation.
See The Recipe!
layered oreo icebox cake with caramel topping on a metal cake stand

Oreo Icebox Cake Recipe

Take your easy icebox recipe up a notch with vanilla bean whipped cream and a dreamy dulce de leche topping.
See The Recipe!
This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries! #iceboxcake #pistachioiceboxcake #pistachiocake www.savoryexperiments.com

Pistachio Icebox Cake

This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries!
See The Recipe!
close up of edible ice cream cups
vanilla meringue ice cream cups with toppings

Vanilla Meringue Ice Cream Cups

4.86 from 7 votes
With only 4 basic ingredients, these EASY Vanilla Meringue Ice Cream Cups make the perfect dessert for any occasion! Pretty, fun & delicious!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer until foamy.
  • Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture forms stiff peaks. Add extract, continuing to beat.
    meringue in a bowl
  • Spoon 6 large scoops of meringue onto parchment paper. Using a spoon, create a deep bowl in each, being careful not to go all the way down to the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 1 hour, then turn off oven, but allow meringue to cool completely in the oven. This usually takes 1 hour or more.
    cooked meringue cups
  • Remove from oven and store in an airtight container until ready to use. Fill with ice cream and top with your favorite sauce!
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 106 kcal, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 25 mg, Potassium: 45 mg, Sugar: 25 g
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 106
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: how to make meringue, meringue ice cream cups
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
vanilla meringue cups for ice cream for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.86 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Such a party hit! Love how it’s super customisable and we can use our favourite toppings. What a treat! Thanks for sharing 😀

  2. 5 stars
    I can’t believe I never tried to make meringue! You make it sound so easy… Thank you for the tips, I’m definitely trying this recipe soon 🙂