Description
Cloud Eggs are a delightful and visually stunning breakfast treat featuring fluffy, whipped egg whites baked to perfection with rich, creamy yolks nestled in the center. This recipe offers four delicious variations including savory additions like ham and Swiss, garlic and Parmesan, bacon and cheddar, and Gruyere with chives, making it a versatile and elegant way to start your morning.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- ÂĽ teaspoon sea salt
- â…› teaspoon black pepper
Ham & Swiss Variation
- ÂĽ cup diced deli ham
- ½ cup grated Swiss cheese
Garlic & Parmesan Variation
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Bacon & Cheddar Variation
- ÂĽ cup crumbled cooked bacon
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
Gruyere & Chives Variation
- ½ cup grated Gruyere cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the eggs from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Separate the Eggs: Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolks. Place the whites in a large mixing bowl and the yolks in individual small bowls or one bowl if you are careful to keep them intact.
- Beat Egg Whites: Using a hand mixer, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form—this means the whites hold firm peaks without collapsing when you lift the beaters.
- Fold in Seasonings and Variations: Gently fold salt, pepper, and any of your chosen add-ins (ham and Swiss, garlic and Parmesan, bacon and cheddar, or Gruyere and chives) into the whipped whites to maintain their fluffy texture.
- Form the Egg Whites: Spoon the fluffy whites onto the lined baking sheet, shaping them into four separate mounds with a small well in the center of each to hold the yolks.
- Bake the Whites First: Bake the egg white mounds for 3 minutes to start setting them before adding the yolks.
- Add Yolks and Finish Baking: Carefully place a yolk into each well on the partially baked whites. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until the yolks are cooked to your preferred doneness.
Notes
- Be careful when separating eggs to avoid breaking yolks into the whites.
- Use fresh eggs for best whipping results and taste.
- You can customize the flavor variations or enjoy the eggs plain with just salt and pepper.
- The baking time for yolks can be adjusted depending on whether you like them runny or more set.
- Handle the yolks gently when placing them onto the whites to prevent breaking.
- Serve immediately for best texture and presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
