It isn’t Christmas without a delicious melt-in-your mouth easy meringue cookies recipe, like grandma used to make!
Light, airy, and flavorful meringue cookies are like no other! They are easier to bake than you might think, and kids will be intrigued by the process.
This cookie platter is guaranteed to disappear shortly after you put it on the table.
Making delicious meringue Christmas cookies is easier than you might think!
Meringue Cookies
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When I was a kid, my grandma made light green meringue surprise cookies every Christmas.
I thought she was a cookie sorceress because the meringue shell would melt in my mouth, giving way to a yummy chocolate chip center that soon melt along with it–talk about Christmas magic!
Needless to say, Santa put a mega dent on our meringue cookie inventory when he stopped by every Christmas eve! {giggle}
This Meringue Cookie Recipe:
- Yields: 28-30
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes plus cooling in oven 60 minutes
You only need 6 basic ingredients to make meringue cookies, and you probably already have them all in your pantry and fridge!
Ingredients Needed
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite Christmas cookie!
Step 2
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
The key to making the perfect meringue cookie is all in the whippjng of the egg white.
Step 3
In a bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, extract and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form.
You’ll know you are getting there when it starts to form stiff peaks!
Step 4
Gradually add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form.
Kids LOVE to help with this part–“painting” the cookies!{giggle}
Step 5
Using a brush, add stripes to the inside of a plastic decorator bag fitted with a large star or round tip.
Step 6
Fill bag with meringue.
The piping of the cookies is another fun part that kids can help with!
Step 7
Pipe cookies onto prepared baking sheet.
Our red and white striped meringue Christmas cookies look like pieces of candy! They will steal the show during all of your holiday gatherings!
Step 8
Bake for 90 minutes or until cookies are set.
Step 9
Turn oven off and leave oven door slightly open for 60 minutes.
Package meringue cookies in a cute holiday tin or basket, and you will have the perfect homemade Christmas gift!
Step 10
Remove from oven.
Meringue cookies almost double as a pretty Christmas decoration for your table!
How Do you Store Meringue Cookies?
Store your meringue cookies in an airtight container.
Meringue is fragile, so I wouldn’t recommend something flimsy–like freezer bags or a paper plate with saran wrap, etc.
Opt for a Christmas cookie tin or a plastic tub.
Keep them in a cool, dry place (think your fridge, as long as you have an airtight container).
Kids will think you are a magician when you hand them a meringue cookie that melts in their mouth!
Can I Freeze Meringue cookies?
Yes, you can!
In order to keep them from drying out, you don’t want to let your meringue cookies sit too long before freezing.
Start with freshly baked cookies.
Once they have cooled to room temperature, package them in an airtight container and then freeze for up to 2 months.
Santa will be so excited if you leave him some of these yummy meringue cookies!
How long do meringue cookies stay good for?
Depending on whether or not you stored them properly, your meringue cookies will last for up to two weeks in the fridge, and up to two months in the freezer.
Top off your cookie platters for friends, family, and neighbors, with yummy meringue cookies that have a hint of peppermint–YUM!
What is the difference between meringue cookies and macarons?
These two cookies are actually quite different!
While meringue cookies are made from just a few ingredients, and piped with a bag onto a pan, macarons have more steps (and more ingredients!).
Macarons have yummy frosting in the center of the sandwich cookie, whereas meringue cookies do not.
They are also baked at a higher temperature, for a shorter time than meringue cookies.
My advice is to stick with meringue cookies at first if you are a beginner, and then move up to macarons!
Meringue cookies are gluten free!
Are Meringue Cookies Gluten free?
Yes! This recipe is gluten free.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 eggs whites, room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Red paste food coloring, no taste is best
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, extract and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Using a brush, add stripes to the inside of a plastic decorator bag fitted with a large star or round tip.
- Fill bag with meringue.
- Pipe cookies onto prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 90 minutes or until cookies are set .
- Turn oven off and leave oven door slightly open for 60 minutes.
- Remove from oven.
- Store in airtight container.
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
Are you going to eat all of your easy meringue cookies, or save some for Santa? {giggle}
