Meringue Nests

Preheat oven to 275º F. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Using a 3" round cookie cutter, trace 6 circles, 2" apart, on the waxed paper.
To prepare meringue, beat together egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed until foamy.
Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form. Spoon meringue mixture into a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Trace around each circle, then fill the circles. Pipe 2 layers of meringue around outside edges of circle, forming a nest shape. Bake meringues for 45 minutes or until firm and dry. Turn off oven; let meringues stand in oven with the door closed for 2 hours or overnight. To prepare filling, in the top of a double broiler set over simmering (not boiling) water, beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in lemon juice, lime juice, lemon peel, and lime peel. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens slightly, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat add butter, stirring until melted. Pour the filling into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Press the wrap onto the surface of the mixture. Chill 2 - 3 hours. Spoon filling evenly into meringue shells. Garnish with jelly beans.

Makes about 6

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