If you are looking for a simple festive Christmas cookie then you are going to love these Peppermint Meringues. These Peppermint meringue cookies are light and airy and perfect for holiday baking.
Peppermint Meringues Cookies
My family calls these peppermint Meringues and calls them candy cane meringues. Whichever you choose to call them, know they will be loved by all.
Personally I love the festive colors of peppermint meringues and how light and airy they are! But I also love seeing people’s reactions when they try a peppermint meringue for the first time.
These Peppermint Candy Cane Meringue Cookies are fairly easy to make, actually they are rather difficult to mess up! If you have never made meringue cookies then don’t stress too much once you get the hang of making meringue cookies you will be on your way to being a pro in no time.
I know trying a new type of cookie during your holiday baking can sometimes be a little bit freaky, however I highly suggest making these. You will love them and they will end up being a part of your holiday baking every year.
Peppermint Recipes
- Peppermint Bark Brownies
- Peppermint Chocolate Covered Oreos
- Chocolate Peppermint cookies
- White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Aside from being a tasty peppermint meringue cookie, these meringue cookies are so festive too! These easy meringue cookies are the colors of peppermint candy canes and look so pretty when you put them on a dessert tray or in a gift basket.
I love putting meringue cookies in gift baskets for family and friends. When making baskets of cookies, I want the baskets to be festive so I make sure that I am putting in cookies and treats that are really festive! I normally include these peppermint meringues, Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies, Christmas M&M Cookies, and our favorite Christmas Tree Brownies!
Meringue cookies Recipes
- Vanilla Meringue Cookies
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Meringue Cookies
- Strawberry Meringue Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
- Easter Forgotten Cookies
- Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tips for Making Meringue Cookies
Do NOT open the oven while baking. I know it is tempting to open the oven when cookies are baking to check on them. When making meringue cookies it is important that you leave the oven closed after you put the cookies in while they bake.
Do not let the bowl touch the water. When you are making meringue cookies you are going be using a pot of simmering water and placing your mixer bowl on top of it so the heat from the water heats the egg whites, sugar, and tartar but it is very important that the water does not touch the bowl you are mixing everything in does not touch the water.
Line the baking sheets. I know sometimes when I am making cookies I try to avoid this step only because I am being lazy, however this is one cookie recipe where you need to line to the cookie sheet with either a silicon mat or parchment paper.
How to Pipe Meringue Cookies
You will need a pastry bag and an Open Star Piping Tip. Holding your pastry bag about a quarter inch off the sheet pan, press out the meringue cookie mixture out of the bag onto the baking sheet.
How do you know when Meringues are done Cooking?
Meringue cookies are cooked on low heat for a long period of time. You know they are done when you can easily remove them from the baking sheet. You want to make sure they do not get brown and look like they have been baked at all, which is why you will cook them on a low heat for a long period of time.
Why Did my Meringues crack?
If you find that your meringue cookies have cracked it is because they were cooled to quickly. Leave the meringue cookies in the oven after they are done baking with the oven turned off to slow the cooling process and this will stop the cookies from cracking.
How Long do Meringue Cookies Last?
When stored in an air tight container, away from the heat these sugar free cookies will last for 2 weeks. They will keep in the freezer for up to one month.
How do you Store Meringue Cookies?
Store meringue cookies in an airtight container away from any heat or moisture. It is VERY important that you allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them.
If it is summer time, or your house is kept at a warm temperature it is best to store them in the fridge.
How to Freeze Meringue Cookies
If you are not going to be eating the cookies right away one thing you can do is freeze meringue cookies. It is important that you carefully defrost them, as they will get softened if you are not careful and they get any moisture.
After the meringue cookies are completely cooled from being in the oven, put them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for a few hours.
After they have been in the fridge for a few hours bringing down the temperature even more, move the container of cookies from the fridge to the freezer.
I find it best to use a shallow plastic container, place a layer of meringue cookies and then place a piece of parchment paper on top of the layer of cookies and then another layer of cookies. You do not want to cram the cookies into the container, you want them to not get squished in the container.
How long can Meringue Cookies be frozen
Meringue cookies will keep in the freezer for up to one month when stored properly.
Peppermint Meringue Cookies Ingredients
The ingredients for Peppermint Meringues are simple ingredients that you probably have in the kitchen already. All you need to make peppermint meringues is eggs, sugar, peppermint extract, cream of tarter and red food coloring.
- 4 egg whites
- 1 cup sugar
- Pinch cream of tarter
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Red gel food coloring
How to Make Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Line the bake sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees F.
Combine the sugar, egg whites and tartar in the bowl from your mixer over (making sure your bowl is not touching the water) simmering water. Constantly whisk the egg whites until the sugar has dissolved.
Attach the whisk attachment on a stand mixer or a hand held mixture, slowly beat egg mixture. Add in vanilla extract and any food coloring. Slowly increase the speed and continue to beat mixture until stiff peaks have almost formed.
Mixture is ready when whisk attachment dipped into mixture leaves a curled but stiff peak when removed. Place a large star piping tip into the pastry bag. Squeeze or paint on lines of the red food coloring into the bag making sure your go around the whole bag. Carefully fill the bag with the meringue.
Holding your pastry bag about a quarter inch off the sheet pan, press out a small half inch cookie shape. Pull the bag straight up to create a tip on each cookie.
Bake for 1 ½ hours, then turn off oven and leave the door slightly ajar for meringues to cool down with the oven. Store meringue cookies in an airtight container away from any heat or moisture.
Looking for more Christmas Dessert recipes? Check these out!
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Peppermint Meringues
Ingredients
- 4 eggs whites
- 1 cup sugar
- pinch cream of tarter
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- red gel food coloring
Instructions
- Line to bake sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees F.
- Combine the sugar, egg whites and tartar in the bowl from your mixer over (making sure your bowl is not touching the water) simmering water. Constantly whisk the egg whites until the sugar has dissolved.
- Attach the whisk attachment on a stand mixer or a hand held mixture, slowly beat egg mixture. Add in vanilla extract and any food coloring . Slowly increase the speed and continue to beat mixture until stiff peaks have almost formed.
- Mixture is ready when whisk attachment dipped into mixture leaves a curled but stiff peak when removed. Place a large star piping tip into the pastry bag. Squeeze or paint on lines of the red food coloring into the bag making sure your go around the whole bag. Carefully fill the bag with the meringue.
- Holding your pastry bag about a quarter inch off the sheet pan, press out a small half inch cookie shape. Pull the bag straight up to create a tip on each cookie.
- Bake for 1 ½ hours, then turn off oven and leave the door slightly ajar for meringues to cool down with the oven. Store meringue cookies in an airtight container away from any heat or moisture.
Nutrition
1 Weight Watchers SmartPoints on the Freestyle Program
We have a lot of tasty Christmas cookie recipes, so make sure you check out the 12 days of Christmas cookies and the Best Christmas Cookie Recipes. Looking for more Christmas fun? Check out these Christmas Treats kids will love and Fun Kids Christmas crafts!
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Cecilia says
Something is terribly wrong…after beating a good 10 minutes…still not fluffy like meringue. Could the steam have cooked the whites? I took off when it was no longer grainy. Still BEATING,
Stephanie says
If there is any egg yoke in the mixture it will not whip up.