Christmas Meringue Cookies are delightfully light and airy cookies that melt in your mouth, making them a perfect addition to any holiday gathering. Their customizable nature allows for festive colors and sprinkles that can brighten any dessert table. These cookies are not only visually appealing but also provide a delightful crunch and a sugary sweetness that can satisfy any sweet tooth. Let’s dive into how to make these easy and delicious treats!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Meringue Cookies
There are plenty of reasons to love Christmas Meringue Cookies. First, they are incredibly easy to make, which makes them a great choice for holiday baking. Secondly, they are gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy them during festive gatherings. Additionally, these cookies can be flavored in various ways, such as the popular peppermint meringue cookie recipe. They make for beautiful, colorful holiday meringue cookie ideas, perfect for gift-giving or simply sharing with friends. Their light texture paired with customizable decorations makes them a hit for any celebration!
Ingredients for Christmas Meringue Cookies
Gather these items:
- 4 pieces egg whites (Use room temperature for better volume.)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (Add gradually for best results.)
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (Stabilizes egg whites.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (For flavor enhancement.)
- Food coloring (optional) (For festive colors.)
- Sprinkles (optional) (For decoration.)
How to Make Christmas Meringue Cookies Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Gather all your ingredients to ensure a seamless baking process.
- Step 2: Separate the egg whites, keeping the yolks for another use, and measure your sugar meticulously.
- Step 3: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C).
- Step 5: In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy.
- Step 6: Add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form.
- Step 7: Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring it dissolves completely.
- Step 8: Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy.
- Step 9: Mix in vanilla extract and add food coloring if desired.
- Step 10: Pipe small mounds onto the lined baking sheet with a piping bag.
- Step 11: Sprinkle with festive sprinkles if desired.
- Step 12: Bake in preheated oven for about 1 hour until dry and crisp.
- Step 13: Turn off the oven and leave meringues inside to cool completely.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Meringue Cookies
Keep these in mind:
- Ensure your mixing bowl is completely clean and dry before whipping the egg whites.
- Use room temperature egg whites for better volume.
- Store meringue cookies in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
Best Ways to Serve Christmas Meringue Cookies
These cookies are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them alongside hot chocolate or coffee for a delightful pairing. Consider presenting them in festive boxes as meringue cookie gift ideas for Christmas to share with family and friends. They make a beautiful centerpiece on any dessert table, especially during holiday parties.
How to Store and Reheat Christmas Meringue Cookies
To store your Christmas Meringue Cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for up to two weeks. If you have leftovers, do not refrigerate them, as moisture can make them soggy. For meal prep, consider making a double batch and storing them for future gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Meringue Cookies
What’s the secret to perfect Christmas Meringue Cookies?
The secret lies in ensuring your egg whites are free from any yolk and that your bowl is clean. Beating the whites until stiff peaks form is crucial for achieving that perfect meringue texture.
Can I make Christmas Meringue Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies can be made days in advance, making them perfect for holiday preparation. Just store them in an airtight container to maintain their crispness.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Christmas Meringue Cookies?
To avoid common mistakes, ensure that you don’t add sugar too quickly, and always use room temperature egg whites. Also, avoid any contact with moisture, as it can ruin your meringue.
Variations of Christmas Meringue Cookies You Can Try
There are countless ways to customize your Christmas Meringue Cookies. You can try a peppermint meringue cookie recipe for a minty twist or add different food colorings for vibrant, colorful holiday meringue cookie ideas. For vegan options, substitute egg whites with aquafaba to create vegan Christmas meringue cookies. Don’t hesitate to explore festive flavors like chocolate or spices to make these cookies your own!
For more festive ideas, check out our holiday cookie collection for inspiration!
Print
Delicious Christmas Meringue Cookies for the Holidays
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully light and airy cookies that melt in your mouth, perfect for holiday gatherings, customizable with colors and sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces egg whites (Use room temperature for better volume.)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (Add gradually for best results.)
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (Stabilizes egg whites.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (For flavor enhancement.)
- Food coloring (optional) (For festive colors.)
- Sprinkles (optional) (For decoration.)
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients to ensure a seamless baking process.
- Separate the egg whites, keeping the yolks for another use, and measure your sugar meticulously.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C).
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy.
- Add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring it dissolves completely.
- Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy.
- Mix in vanilla extract and add food coloring if desired.
- Pipe small mounds onto the lined baking sheet with a piping bag.
- Sprinkle with festive sprinkles if desired.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 1 hour until dry and crisp.
- Turn off the oven and leave meringues inside to cool completely.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Christmas Meringue Cookies