Question

After hard meringues have cooked, can they be left in the oven while the oven cools?

a) Yes, it enhances the texture
b) No, it will cause them to collapse
c) Only if the oven door is left slightly open
d) It depends on the altitude

Answer 1

After baking, hard meringues can be left in the oven to cool which enhances their texture by allowing them to dry out slowly and become crispy.

Step-by-step explanation:

After hard meringues have finished cooking, it is generally recommended to turn off the oven and let them cool gradually inside the oven. This process helps to dry out the meringues slowly and prevent them from collapsing or cracking due to rapid temperature changes.

So, the answer is:

a) Yes, it enhances the texture

Leaving hard meringues in the turned-off oven while it cools down allows them to finish drying and solidifying without exposure to rapid temperature changes. This gradual cooling helps to maintain their texture—crisp on the outside and light and airy on the inside. It allows for better moisture evaporation, which contributes to the desired crunchy texture of hard meringues.

However, if the meringues are exposed to excessive moisture or humidity after cooking, they might absorb moisture and become sticky or lose their crispness. Therefore, after cooling in the oven, it's advisable to store hard meringues in an airtight container in a dry place to maintain their texture.