01 -
First things first, get that oven preheating to 300°F (150°C). Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is where I always make sure the paper lies flat, because a crinkled cloud bread is not the vibe, you know? It just helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Don't skip this step, trust me, I've had parchment paper rebellions before!
02 -
In a *super clean* bowl (this is crucial, any grease will ruin your meringue!), separate your egg whites. Whip them on medium-high speed until they get foamy. Slowly add half the granulated sugar, continuing to whip until you get firm, glossy peaks. This part always feels like magic, watching them transform! I've had flat whites before from a greasy bowl, it's a bummer.
03 -
In another bowl, combine the cottage cheese, egg yolks, remaining sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Blend this until it's super smooth. I use an immersion blender for this, it makes it so creamy, almost like a cheesecake batter. Make sure there are no lumpy bits of cottage cheese left, we want ultimate smoothness!
04 -
Now, this is the delicate part. Carefully fold the egg white mixture into the cottage cheese base. Be gentle, we want to keep all that air! Then, gently fold in your fresh blueberries. I usually dust them with a tiny bit of flour first to prevent sinking, a trick I learned the hard way. Slow and steady wins the fluffy race here.
05 -
Spoon the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet, forming 6-8 cloud-like mounds. Don't make them too flat; we want that fluffy height! I like to give them a slight swirl on top, just for character. You're creating edible clouds, so have fun with the shapes. My first ones were a bit blob-like, but they still tasted great!
06 -
Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until they're golden brown and feel set. They should be light and airy! Let them cool slightly on the pan, then dust with powdered sugar. Honestly, the smell alone is heavenly. This is where you admire your handiwork, slightly imperfect, perfectly delicious.