DESSERTS

Delicious Christmas Meringue Cookies for the Holidays

by basmer

24 de January de 2026

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Christmas Meringue cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration. These cookies are crisp on the outside and soft in the center, making them the perfect festive treat. With their light texture and sweet flavor, they’re a favorite among both young and old during the holiday season. Their versatility allows you to customize them with various extracts, colors, and decorations, ensuring they fit right in with your other holiday meringue desserts.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Meringue

There are many reasons to adore this Christmas meringue recipe. First, they are incredibly easy to make, even for baking novices. Second, these cookies are gluten-free, making them suitable for guests with dietary restrictions. Third, the meringue is light and airy, providing a perfect contrast to richer holiday treats, which makes them a delightful holiday meringue dessert. Fourth, they can be flavored with peppermint or other extracts, allowing you to create festive meringue treats that everyone will enjoy. Fifth, they are naturally low in calories, with just 25 calories per cookie, making it easy to indulge without guilt. Lastly, they are stunning to look at, especially when decorated with sweet meringue decorations, making them a showstopper on any dessert table!

Ingredients for Christmas Meringue

Gather these items:

4 large egg whites
1 cup superfine sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
Red gel food coloring (optional)
Festive sprinkles (optional)

How to Make Christmas Meringue Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy.
Step 3: Add cream of tartar and continue to beat until soft peaks form.
Step 4: Gradually add superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until glossy stiff peaks form.
Step 5: Beat in vanilla and optional peppermint extract.
Step 6: For a festive look, paint red gel food coloring inside a piping bag before filling it with the meringue.
Step 7: Pipe small swirls onto the parchment paper and top with sprinkles.
Step 8: Bake for 1.5 hours, then turn off the oven and let meringues sit inside for another hour.
Step 9: Remove once crisp and allow to cool fully before storing.

Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Meringue

Keep these in mind:

Customize with different extracts, colors, or toppings to match your holiday theme.
Store in an airtight container for freshness.
Ensure your mixing bowl and utensils are completely clean and free of grease for the best results.
Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks for a perfect Christmas meringue.

Best Ways to Serve Christmas Meringue

There are numerous ways to enjoy your Christmas meringue cookies. They make fantastic toppings for holiday cakes, adding a light and airy contrast to denser desserts. Additionally, consider serving them alongside a rich chocolate mousse or incorporating them into a Christmas meringue pie for a delightful textural contrast. You could also create meringue nests for Christmas desserts by shaping the meringue into nests and filling them with whipped cream and seasonal fruits.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Meringue

To keep your Christmas meringue cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last up to 2 weeks if kept sealed properly, making them perfect for meal prep during the busy holiday season. If you need to reheat them, avoid using a microwave as it will ruin their crisp texture. Instead, you can place them back in a low oven for a few minutes to refresh their crispness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Meringue

What’s the secret to perfect Christmas Meringue?

The secret lies in ensuring your egg whites are free from any grease and that you achieve the right stiff peaks. This helps create the light and airy texture that makes meringue so special.

Can I make Christmas Meringue ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the meringue cookies in advance and store them in an airtight container. They will maintain their crispness for several days, perfect for holiday gatherings.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Christmas Meringue?

To avoid common mistakes, ensure that no yolk gets into your egg whites, and avoid mixing any oils into the bowl. Also, be patient when beating the egg whites to achieve the right consistency.

Variations of Christmas Meringue You Can Try

Experimenting with Christmas meringue opens up a world of flavors. You can create gluten-free Christmas meringue options by using different flavorings like almond or coconut. Consider making meringue nests and filling them with seasonal fruits or chocolate mousse. Another fun variation is to incorporate spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a unique twist. Each variation will bring a delightful surprise to your holiday meringue treats!

For more festive ideas, check out Christmas Black Forest Trifle or Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze.

Learn more about the science behind meringue at Serious Eats.

Delicious Christmas Meringue Cookies for the Holidays

Author: basmer
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Christmas meringue cookies are crisp on the outside, soft in the center, and perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients

Scale

4 large egg whites
1 cup superfine sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
Red gel food coloring (optional)
Festive sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy.
Add cream of tartar and continue to beat until soft peaks form.
Gradually add superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until glossy stiff peaks form.
Beat in vanilla and optional peppermint extract.
For a festive look, paint red gel food coloring inside a piping bag before filling it with the meringue.
Pipe small swirls onto the parchment paper and top with sprinkles.
Bake for 1.5 hours, then turn off the oven and let meringues sit inside for another hour.
Remove once crisp and allow to cool fully before storing.