It’s a visual illusion cookie! Both are equally long. The fins added to the end make the top shape appear shorter than the bottom one. After rigorous testing though, I have come to the conclusion that they taste the same. Of course these meringues can be shaped anyway you like. But I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to shape a cookie like a visual illusion. Especially if you can add sprinkles.

They can also be cute in other shapes. Meringue doughnut anyone?

Total time: 2 hours. Equipment: electric mixer, piping bag, printed Mueller-Lyer template for ML_short and ML_long illusions.

Makes about 20 Mueller-Lyer cookies (10 long and 10 short) and probably some extra.

Ingredients

• 2 egg whites
• 50 g granulated sugar
• 100 g powdered sugar
• food colouring (optional, I added one sachet of powdered colouring)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 80 C.
2. Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl and start beating until frothy.
3. Add the granulated sugar (and food colouring if using) and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Whit a spatula gently fold in the powdered sugar.
5. Transfer the egg whites to a piping bag with a small piping tip.
6. Place a piece of baking paper on a baking tray and place the template underneath.
7. Pipe the egg whites onto the template.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until all the egg white mixture is finished.
9. Sprinkle the sprinkles on top and bake for about 1.5 hours until the meringues have dried completely.
10. Let cool and enjoy!