Christmas Countdown: Christmas Tree Meringues

Yes, I have got rid of the day countdown as I have not exactly been consistent...

I love meringues, they are basically sugar, what is not to love?
But they are not very festive... so here is a simple way to make them so. TURN THEM INTO CHRISTMAS TREES!

Easy.

If you follow the meringue recipe which I have shown earlier on this year =  http://girlbaking.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/perfect-meringue-recipe.html

BUT, add green or blue and yellow food colouring once the sugar has been added.

Then with a slightly spiky, or zig-zagged nozzle, pipe the meringue. I find that the easiest way to fill a piping bag is to rest the nozzle in the bottom or a tall glass, then roll the bag around the rim so that it stays open. You then just drop the mixture in.

Pull away from the greaseproof paper in short bursts to give a slightly layered affect.

Once they have all been piped, this may take a while to perfect a tree shape (some of mine were a bit lopsided), add a small sugared star on to the top of the tree to give it that christmas tree.

DO NOT USE SILVER BALLS. they melt and burn holes in the meringue, but other decorations should be fine... edible glitter maybe?

Bake for about 35 mins and then remove.

For the final touch, take some "Rolo"'s or other similar chocolates. Melt them at the ends. Then stick them to the base of your meringue to create a trunk-like effect.

Then, ta-da! your meringues made festive and perfect little bites of Christmas.

Pre baking... they look white but I promise that they were green!

The finishing touches... they do stay green the lighting is lying to you...