Do you have to add Sugar to make a gooey meringue?

[PissyDust]

Sorry for the boring question but, do you?

nah...a tablespoon of cornflour and the same of vinegar to make them gooey

I always add sugar to meringues, I thought everyone did. I add a tsp of cornflour and a tsp of white vinegar to make mine gooey.

Not sure what you are asking- do you mean add extra sugar? For the sort of soft meringue you get on lemon meringue pie? Or the kind that are crunchy out but chewy in? I always thought it was cooking time that dried out the meringue (or not) so the soft meringues get a short time in a hot oven to brown the tips, but the solid crunchy/chewy type get a couple of hours at a very low heat. I've never used cornflour, or vinegar, so can't comment on them.

Is it a meringue without sugar? Use a pinch of cream of tartar to make them chewy, but I think you need the sugar as well.

You are blowing my mind. How do you make a .meringue without sugar???

I add sugar but my Nan said she never adds sugar and only uses egg white.

Nanny's meringues are always perfect although her memory is going, bless her and I'm wondering if she has forgotten about the sugar

My mind too is blown by the thought of a sugar-free meringue.

What would it even taste of?

it isn't a meringue without sugar, it would just be like an egg white omlette. The sugar is what adds substance and flavour. You can't make a sugarless meringue.

I think she must have forgotten the sugar! Meringues are sweet! Egg whites aren't!

:) aw, love her.

Ambrosia. nanny is a dear but so very stubborn when she thinks she is right and ends up making me doubt myself!

She has now been a wife for 60 years, I love hearing her tales of domestic bliss