This experiment looks at how egg white ( albumen ) is transformed as it is whisked. Egg white is about ⅔ of the total weight of an egg and is 10% protein, the rest being mostly water. To demonstrate the change in the egg white, we will find out how to make meringue!
How to make Meringue
Meringue Recipe
What you need:
- A bowl
- A whisk
- Baking sheet
- Four egg whites
- 225g caster sugar
You can use fewer eggs as long as you use about 55g of caster sugar per egg white.
Instructions for making meringue
- Preheat the oven to 140 degrees.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment
- Put the egg whites in a bowl and whisk slowly at first then faster as they expand. Once you get stiff peaks, the egg whites are ready.
- Add the sugar slowly a few tablespoons at a time and whisk after each sugar addition.
- Place 2 heaped tablespoons of mixture onto the baking parchment, leave a gap and then repeat until all your mixture is used up.
- Place in the oven on a low shelf for about 45 minutes. Then turn the oven off, but leave the meringues inside for a further 15 minutes.
- Serve with whipped cream and fruit.
For more fun try making meringue towers, how high can you build them before they topple?
The Science Behind Meringue
When we whisk egg white, two things happen:
- The whisk creates a force through the egg white which unfolds the protein molecules.
- The whisking also causes air bubbles to be trapped in the unfolded proteins which makes a foam.
When baked, the foam hardens into meringue! How cool is that?
More Easy Kitchen Science for Kids
If you enjoyed this activity, you'll love my huge collection of kitchen science experiments including a Science Sparks Bake OFF!!
You might also like my new book Snackable Science which contains 60 easy edible experiments for kids!!
Last Updated on January 23, 2023 by Emma Vanstone
JDaniel4's Mom says
What fun! I love experiments you can eat.
ScienceSparks says
Yes, me too! x
HELEN says
so the science bit, just give me that meringue!! Haven't made meringue in ages I must do it...but then I will want to eat it all!
ScienceSparks says
Ha ha xx
Melissa @imaginationsoup says
Yummy!
angelahenderson wood says
Love this... It's been a long time since I've done these. I think we'll make them this week!
ScienceSparks says
Thank you, let us know how you get on!
Abby says
That's great, thanks for the wonderful idea.
ScienceSparks says
Thanks, glad you liked it! x
Ticia says
Mmmmmm, great science lesson when you can eat it.
Melinda at Weiser Academy says
Great science and cooking lesson!
ScienceSparks says
Cooking and science really do go hand in hand. Thank you. 🙂
creativejewishmom/sara says
been wanting to make meringue, and turning it into a science experiment is perfect! Always thought you needed cream of tartar, which I can't find, so thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
ScienceSparks says
I think you can add cream of tartar, but you don't have to. xx
Toddler Approved says
I love any science experiments you can eat. This is right up our alley! Thanks for sharing this on our Best of October link up!
Cool Science Project says
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I've truly loved surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I am hoping you write again very soon!
ScienceSparks says
Thats so nice to hear, thank you. x