Paul Hollywood Shares His ‘Perfect for Christmas’ Almond and Amaretto Meringues

Paul Hollywood has a handshake-worthy holiday treat.

“My nan was a great meringue-maker, and the recipe comes from her. The addition of the amaretto was my idea, and it elevates these simple meringues to a more luxurious experience—perfect for Christmas!” says the judge of The Great British Baking Show (called The Great British Back Off in the U.K.).

“They have a soft crunch on the outside and a slightly chewy toffee center,” he described of the treats included in his new dessert cookbook Celebrate.

Paul Hollywood’s Almond and Amaretto Meringues

⅔ cup egg whites (from 5 large eggs)

½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. superfine sugar

1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. unsifted powdered sugar

⅓ cup chopped slivered almonds

1⅔ cup heavy whipping cream

¼ cup amaretto (almond liqueur)

1. Preheat oven to 230º with racks in upper-third and lower-third positions. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Beat egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Add superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition and stopping to scrape down sides of bowl once or twice, until smooth, thick and glossy, 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Sift one-third of the powdered sugar over egg white mixture; gently fold in using a large spatula. Repeat twice to incorporate remaining powdered sugar (mixture should look smooth and billowy).

4. Transfer mixture to a large piping bag fitted with a ¾-inch plain piping tip; pipe 24 meringue kisses onto each baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with chopped almonds.

5. Place baking sheets on upper-third and lower-third oven racks; bake in preheated oven until meringues are dry, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Turn off oven; leave meringues inside oven with door slightly open until cooled completely, about 1 hour.

6. Beat cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until medium peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes; fold in amaretto. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a ½-inch star piping tip.

7. To assemble, pipe amaretto cream onto half of the meringues; sandwich together with remaining meringues. Serve immediately.

Makes: 24

Active time: 45 minutes

Total time: 3 hours