Hazelnut Meringue Kisses: The Sweet Gift for Valentine’s Day
On Valentine’s Day, don’t give the classic industrial chocolates! Stand out by offering homemade meringue kisses, the perfect surprise they won’t expect! These crispy little meringues, joined by a delicious hazelnut filling reminiscent of the famous baci di dama from Piedmont, will hit the heart directly! This embrace will become the ideal symbol to celebrate love for a special person, a partner, or a parent.
Why choose Meringue Kisses as a gift?
In 2026, luxury is “handmade.” These sweet treats are not only delicious but represent a unique and thoughtful gift! They stand out from the usual meringues for their originality: their creamy filling creates an irresistible contrast of textures. They are made with a few basic ingredients, ensuring simplicity with a gourmet result with minimal effort in the kitchen. Beyond Valentine’s Day, they are the scenic touch ideal for enhancing dessert buffets, themed parties, or as edible place cards.
The Secret to a Perfect Meringue
The real trick to the success of these kisses is patience. They need to be prepared a day in advance: this allows the meringues to dry properly in the oven at a low temperature, becoming light and crumbly, ready to welcome the rich hazelnut filling.
For more sweet ideas to prepare for Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, or Mother’s Day, here are some suggestions:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 50 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons, Valentine's Day
Ingredients
- 100 mini meringues
- as needed hazelnut spread (spreadable)
Preparation
The day before, prepare the mini meringues by carefully following the steps in my recipe. Bake and let them cool completely at room temperature before storing them in an airtight container.
The next day, spread the tip of a teaspoon without overdoing it, on the base of a mini meringue with the hazelnut spread.
Close by gently pressing with another mini meringue and place them on a tray lined with baking paper.
Continue with the remaining meringues and refrigerate for a maximum of 30 minutes, only if you will serve them immediately.
The spread would have slightly hardened, allowing you to serve them all together in a bowl without smudges.
And voilà… your meringue kisses are ready to be enjoyed!
Enjoy your meal from La Cucina di FeFè!
Storage
👉 If well stored in a tin box or an airtight container, preferably glass, in a dry place, meringue kisses keep their crispness for 5-7 days. They are perfect for preparing in advance for your special events. However, my advice is to fill them at most the morning for the evening, or up to 12-24 hours before.
Tips, notes, variations, and suggestions
🟣 The filling: hazelnut cream is the classic pairing par excellence, but you can experiment with a dark chocolate spread or a pistachio or almond cream for a more modern and colorful touch. These types of fillings are all rich in fats and low in water, so they won’t alter the structure of the meringue. Once filled, meringue kisses should be stored in a cool and dry place, but never in the refrigerator (unless the filling strictly requires it), as the humidity of the fridge is the number one enemy of meringue.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
1. Can they be filled with custard or whipped cream?
Meringue is composed almost entirely of sugar, an ingredient that attracts humidity. If you use a water-based filling (like custard or whipped cream), the meringue will absorb it, becoming soft or “gummy” in a few hours. You can certainly do it, but the advice is to fill them only at the moment of serving.
