Meringue is a delicious cream that is used to decorate desserts and also to fill them. In addition, due to its usefulness in baking, many people wonder, How to preserve meringue?
Meringue can last only about 4 hours at room temperature, so to optimize its shelf life, you should keep it in the fridge for two days. On the other hand, if you store the meringue in the freezer, the shelf life is extended up to one month.
There are three famous types of meringue: French, Swiss and Italian. Between those, the ones you can store for a little longer are the Swiss and the Italian meringue since there is some cooking in the preparation.
The French meringue is more fragile, so you can not store it in the same way as the other two, so I will discuss this meringue separately.
If you want to know the best way to keep the meringue in good condition, I invite you to continue reading.
Store meringue at room temperature
As a general rule, meringue goes in the refrigerator since it can not be left at room temperature for a long time as it could harden quickly, losing its decoration qualities.
So the only way to leave it at room temperature is as follows:
- Step 1: Cover the bowl with plastic film.
The plastic film will protect the meringue from the air and possible contaminants.
- Step 2: Avoid hot places.
Do not place next to ovens or equipment that generate heat. Also, avoid direct light. You can be in good condition for about 4 hours.
It is worth highlighting the importance of not leaving it at room temperature beyond the indicated time.
Keep meringue in the refrigerator.
How to preserve Italian meringue in the refrigerator? In the same way as Swiss meringue? Very related questions whose answer is simple: you can store Swiss and Italian meringue similarly, and you must follow the subsequent recommendations.
- Step 1: Transfer the meringue to an airtight container.
You can also use a container with a lid or cover the bowl where you prepared it with plastic film. Again, the idea is to reduce the contact with air.
- Step 2: Store in the coldest area of the refrigerator.
Place it at the bottom of the refrigerator, where the temperature is more stable. Meringue can last up to 2 days in the fridge. [1]
Keep meringue in the freezer
Can meringue be frozen? No, meringue does not freeze because, in essence, it does not contain water. However, the freezer preserves the meringue better than the fridge, so you can store it in the freezer even if it won’t freeze.
However, the consistency of the meringues will not be the same as freshly made, but if you have a lot of meringue, it is the best storage option.
To properly preserve the meringue in the freezer, just follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Let cool.
If you just prepared the meringue, it is best to ensure it is cold so there is no strong temperature shock.
- Step 2: Pour the meringue into an airtight container.
The container must be clean, free of grease, and suitable for placing in a freezer.
So the Italian meringue can last a month without a problem.
Before using it, leave it for a while in the fridge.
On the other hand, Swiss meringue does not usually last as long as Italian meringue, so the time is reduced by half (15 days).
How to preserve French meringue?
The French meringue is the simplest to make; only beat the egg whites and sugar until you reach the right consistency.
Because of that, French meringue is much more delicate than the others. Therefore, it is recommended to use it all the same day.
However, you can leave it in the fridge for a day, in a bowl covered with plastic film, but it will have a softer texture than freshly made.
How to preserve a cake with meringue?
The best way to preserve a cake with meringue is to refrigerate it; however, the freezer also represents a good option, and you store it in the same way.
However, it is not the same to save a whole cake with meringue than in pieces, so I will tell you the best way to keep it in both cases:
Preserve the cake whole with meringue
To do this, you only have to comply with the following steps:
- Step 1: Place the cake in a container with a lid.
It can be a special container for cakes, such as cardboard cakes, or a plastic or glass cake stand.
Although if you keep the cake with meringue in the freezer, you cannot use these containers; instead, use an airtight one.
- Step 2: Store in the fridge or freeze.
In the case of the refrigerator, you should place the cake at the bottom, where the temperature is more stable. It can last in good condition for a whole day.
On the other hand, in the freezer, you can preserve it for a week, depending on the type of cake and filling.
Preserve the pieces of cake with meringue
The cake remains can be stored in the same way in the fridge and freezer; the only thing that varies is the shelf life.
To do it properly, just follow these steps to the letter:
- Step 1: Chop the whole cake with meringue.
When you chop the cake, it is more practical in terms of space.
- Step 2: Cover each piece with aluminum foil.
If you don’t have special plastic containers to store pieces of cake, you can wrap the pieces with aluminum foil.
- Step 3: Store in an airtight container.
When you transfer it to an airtight container, you prevent it from absorbing the smell and taste of other foods, apart from protecting them from moisture.
You can keep the pieces for two o three days in the fridge. However, storing the cake in the freezer will last 3 or 4 weeks, depending on the type of cake and filling.
How to preserve dry meringue or meringue cookies?
The meringue can be put in the oven at a low temperature to dry it completely, so you have another delicious dessert, known as meringue or forgotten cookies.
So when you have some meringue leftovers, the cookies are an excellent option to use, and you can store them at room temperature or in the freezer.
I don’t recommend storing the meringue dry in the fridge because it moistens and shortens the shelf life.
Store dry meringue at room temperature
The good thing about dry meringue or forgotten cookies is that you can keep them perfectly at room temperature for some time.
To do this, you just have to comply with the following recommendations:
- Step 1: Let cool.
They cannot be stored while hot because they would create moisture inside the container, damaging the cookies.
- Step 2: Store in a container with a lid.
First, place a layer of parchment paper at the bottom, then the dry meringue. Then, if you have quite a few cookies, place another layer on top, so the cookies are between them.
It would be best if you use an airtight container.
- Step 3: Store in a dry, cool place.
Avoid hot places or with a lot of moisture; otherwise, it would accelerate the decomposition process.
Following these steps, you can keep the meringue dry for about three weeks at room temperature.
Freeze the meringue dry
You can freeze the meringue cookies without a problem. In addition, doing it extends the shelf life a little longer. It is also an excellent alternative for places with very hot climates or when the summer is intense.
To do it the right way, just follow these tips that I leave you below:
- Step 1: Let cool.
You have to let the dry meringue cool completely after taking them out of the oven to prevent it from condensing inside.
- Step 2: Arrange in a tray.
Place parchment paper on the tray, then the dry meringues, and let them freeze for a couple of hours.
- Step 3: Transfer to an airtight bag or container.
As soon as you notice the cookies are stiff, transfer them to an airtight container.
It is possible to keep the frozen dry meringue for one month without compromising the quality of the product.
Leave the meringue cookies in the fridge overnight to thaw them.
How do you know when the meringue is bad?
To identify a meringue in poor condition, it must present the following signs:
- Rancid smell and taste. Discard it immediately.
- Watery and/or granulated consistency. Although it is suitable for consumption, it does not serve to decorate because it does not remain static.
How long does meringue last?
The shelf life depends on the mode of preparation and the form of storage, so to give a helpful lifetime, we must consider these variables.
Below I will leave you a table summarizing the duration of the meringue:
| Product | Shelf life |
| Italian meringue at room temperature | 4 hours |
| Italian meringue in the fridge | 2 days |
| Italian meringue in the freezer | 1 month |
| Swiss meringue at room temperature | 4 hours |
| Swiss meringue in the fridge | 2 days |
| Swiss meringue in the freezer | 15 days |
| French meringue in the fridge | 1 day |
| Dry meringue at room temperature | 3 weeks |
| Dry meringue in the freezer | 1 month |
| Whole cake with meringue in the fridge | 2 days |
| Whole cake with meringue in the freezer | 1 week |
| Cake in pieces with meringue in the fridge | 2 – 3 days |
| Cake in pieces with meringue in the freezer | 3 – 4 weeks |
What is the best way to preserve meringue?
Without a doubt, I could say that the best way to store meringue is inside the freezer. However, only Italian meringue is best preserved in the refrigerator.
Most confectioners prefer to work with this meringue type because it has a better consistency and lasts much longer.
However, a better way to take advantage of the leftover meringue is to dry it.
Dry meringue can last longer at room temperature, and you can also freeze it. And you can enjoy a delicious dessert without spending many ingredients.
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