Last updated on December 6th, 2021 at 02:10 am
Here’s a holiday cookie recipe that’s perfect to make with the kids. These Christmas meringues can be any color, and you can make them into Christmas trees, wreaths, candy canes, or any shape you’d like. And, of course, you can bake them at other times of the year using other shapes and colors. They’re a lot of fun to make and eat!
What Are Meringues?
Meringues are a unique dessert enjoyed around the world, and for many families, it wouldn’t feel like Christmas without them. Essentially, meringue is made of beaten egg whites and sugar. They can be made with different egg white to sugar ratios depending on your purpose.
What makes the unique structure of meringues? Beating the egg whites continuously allows them to expand up to eight times their original volume. Then, by adding sugar, the structure of the meringue stabilizes. Meanwhile, its lightness and volume decrease. Harder meringue has more sugar, which is perfect for piping into shapes. On the other hand, a softer meringue is great as a cake topping. The temperature of your eggs also plays an essential role in your meringue-making success.
If you’ve heard about the Christmas Eve tradition of opening a box of small goodies the night before the big day, meringues definitely deserve a spot in your Christmas Eve box. If you’re not familiar with the idea of a Christmas box, it’s usually filled with small treats to be enjoyed on Christmas Eve–nothing extravagant. Think a new book, Christmas pajamas, and some cookies. Adding meringues to your Christmas box, along with goodies like hot chocolate packets, Christmas DVDs, and a snow globe, makes for a cozy family evening. A pretty personalised Christmas eve box made of wood can keep your treats fresh and can be refilled year after year.
Another reason meringues are the perfect Christmas treat is that you can make them in a multitude of flavors—and they all taste amazing! For added variety, make meringues of different flavors for your Christmas party platters, your Christmas box, or just to enjoy at home. Try peppermint, buttercream, lemon lime, orange, cocoa, chocolate, strawberry, and hazelnut.
And these tasty treats aren’t only for Christmas. Make them for Valentine’s Day, birthday parties, or for any get-together with your family and friends.
The main ingredients in these Christmas meringues are sugar and egg whites. It’s important to make sure no yolks get into the egg whites. Egg yolk will prevent the egg whites from forming stiff peaks.
With a piping bag or Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off, pipe the meringue into whatever shapes you’d like. Decorate them before baking.
A few tips about these Christmas meringues–
- This recipe will make 40 to 50 meringues.
- You can make these meringue cookies without cream of tartar. Just substitute a pinch of salt.
- If you don’t have parchment paper, substitute aluminum foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- It’s important to make sure no yolks gets into the egg whites. Egg yolk will prevent the egg whites from forming stiff peaks.
- Meringue cookies do not freeze well, so plan to give any extras away to neighbors, co-workers, etc. You can pack them in these boxes to make a pretty holiday gift.
- Store your Christmas meringues in a loosely covered container at room temperature.
Christmas Meringues
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring
- Colorful sprinkles
- Icing bag or Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off
- parchment paper
Instructions
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Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until it gets fluffy.
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When the egg whites get fluffy, add the caster sugar little by little, and continue whisking.
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Add the vanilla extract.
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The important criteria for the egg whites are to become solid, to hang in the beater, and to avoid sugar crumbs when you touch them.
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When the meringue mixture turns into a giant foam, add the red, green, and white food colorings to the meringue mixture.
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Put the parchment paper on a baking tray, and pipe the meringues.
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Decorate them as you wish.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 230 F for 1.5 hours.
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After cooking, let them rest for 1-2 hours until the meringue gets hard **without opening the oven door.
Recipe Notes
This recipe will make 40 to 50 meringues.
You can make these meringue cookies without cream of tartar. Just substitute a pinch of salt.
If you don't have parchment paper, substitute aluminum foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
It's important to make sure no yolks gets into the egg whites. Egg yolk will prevent the egg whites from forming stiff peaks.
Meringue cookies do not freeze well, so plan to give any extras away to neighbors, co-workers, etc.
Store your Christmas meringue cookies in a loosely covered container at room temperature.
Also read —
Adorable Oreo Penguin Cookies Recipe
Nutter Butter Santa Cookies
25 Delicious Cookies for the Holidays
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