Why does my meringue have beads?
As the meringue cools, it contracts (shrinks) slightly―just enough, after a few hours, to pop this moisture onto the surface in tiny golden brown droplets, or beads. The beads form faster if the weather is humid or if the pie is chilled.
How do you fix a weeping meringue?
Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, whisking frequently, until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool. Mix cream of tartar with the extra-fine sugar until well-blended.
Why do you add cornstarch to meringue?
A few teaspoons of cornstarch mixed with the sugar helps by soaking up any liquid left in your meringue, leaving it shiny, beautiful, and puddle-free. Starch is especially helpful in hot, humid weather when a meringue is most likely to absorb extra moisture.
Why does meringue pull away from crust?
Although several factors can cause problems, the main reason that meringue pulls away from the sides of a pie crust is that the meringue simply wasn’t sealed to the pie when it was added. … Continue pressing the meringue onto the pie to eliminate air pockets between the hot filling and the bottom of the meringue layer.
What does it mean for meringue to weep?
Weeping. Sometimes a small pool of liquid forms between the meringue and another layer of a dessert, such as a pie filling; this is referred to as weeping. To prevent this, never spread meringue over a cold filling. Instead, spread the meringue over the filling while it’s still hot.
Why is my lemon meringue watery?
Some pies work best when a warm filling is poured into a still-warm crust. … The lemon meringue filling is thickened with cornstarch. But if you overwork the filling, the cornstarch’s thickening abilities are weakened, and you’ll be left with a runny mess. To prevent this, you’ll cook the filling in two intervals.
How long do you have to beat meringue?
Use as directed. When making meringue and other desserts that call for adding sugar to the whites, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until soft peaks form (tips curl).