Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies
Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies are a light and airy cookie to add to your holiday cookie platter. Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free.
I have partnered with The Ohio Poultry Association for this recipe- one of my most favorite companies to work with!
My recent trip to Columbus, Ohio had me immersed in all things EGGS. I had a wonderful weekend cooking and baking with the OPA team as well as many other inspiring bloggers and content creators.
We had the pleasure at dining out together at Wolf’s Ridge Brewery in Columbus, Ohio. The whole menu was fantastic, but I most enjoyed the dessert (big surprise, right?). Among other things it featured a chai spiced meringue that was definitely a highlight of my trip. I knew I had to make meringue cookies when I came home.
What are Meringue Cookies?
Meringue is a dessert or dessert topping that is sweet, light, and airy. It is made primarily of egg whites and sugar. The cookies become crisp with a pocket of air when baked for an hour at a low temperature then left to dry out completely for another hour or up to overnight as the oven cools.
Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies Preparation
Christmas Tree Meringue cookies start with 4 egg whites. Take care when separating the egg whites from the yolks. Even the tiniest drop of egg yolk in the mixture will prevent the meringue from forming.
The same goes for your mixing bowl and beaters. I recommend using a stand mixer with a metal bowl base and metal whisk attachment. Make sure everything is completely clean and free of any fats (like leftover cookie dough or butter from a previous batch of cookies).
Baker’s Tip
You’ll get fluffier meringue if you use room temperature eggs. Separate egg whites from the yolks and leave on the counter top for at least 30 minutes.
How to Make Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies
You will need:
- 4 large egg white, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- green food coloring
- candy sprinkles, optional
Four egg whites will produce about 3 dozen Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies depending on how large you pipe them onto the baking sheets. Plan to use 2 baking sheets lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. I do not recommend baking meringue cookies directly onto metal baking sheets.
You can replace the vanilla extract with a 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract. Be careful not to add too much (this is not an even substitution). And if you like these Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies check out these Chai Spiced Meringue Cookies.
You will bake the meringues at 200 degrees F for 1 hour. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN AT ANY POINT. Turn the oven off and let the meringue cookies continue to dry out for at least 1 additional hour. My personal preference is to make Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies at the end of the day. Turn off your oven and let the meringues dry overnight as the oven cools.
Tips for Storing Meringue Cookies
If the meringues are stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place they can last 1-2 days in a dry environment. Winter is the perfect time of year for meringue cookies!
You can freeze meringues for up to 1 month. Store in an air tight container in stack separated by parchment paper.
To thaw the meringues, remove them from the containers and place on wire racks. This prevents the bottoms from absorbing any moisture while thawing. After thawing for approximately 1 hour serve as soon as possible. Do not refreeze.
Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 large egg white, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- green food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
- In your stand mixer bowl fitted with the whisk attachment combine egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt. Whip on medium speed until foamy and light in color.
- Add vanilla extract and 1-2 drops of green food coloring. Slowly add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Allow 10-15 seconds of whipping between additions. Continue until all sugar is added and whip until the meringue is glossy and stiff. When you remove your whisk attachment the meringue batter should stand up and just barely tip over to one side. Sugar should be dissolved at this point. Test by rubbing a bit in-between your fingertips.
- Transfer the meringue to a clean piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe trees onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with sprinkles if using.
- Bake meringue cookies at 200 degrees F for 1 hour. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR AT ANY POINT.
- With the oven door still closed turn off the oven. Let the meringue cookies cool completely and continue to dry out for at least 1 more hour up to overnight.
- Store in an air tight container in a cool dry place 1-2 days.
Some of my favorites egg recipes of my weekend spent at OPA Headquarters were:
Afterwards I came home and made my own Buckeye Eggnog. Give it a try!
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3 Comments on “Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies”
I remember eating and making as a kid
I want to make for a cookie exchange
I need 6 dozen which is 2 batches but I do remember we left ours in oven overnight too
Are u baking all 3 dozen at the same time ?
I’m thinking of cutting recipe in half to test it out ahead of time because I am nervous I haven’t done in a shape before and it’s been 40 yrs since I last did them
Any suggestions on how to get 6 dozen to work !
As a novice, I would like to know how large the meringue Christmas tree cookies are, or an object next to them to give some perspective
They are about 1 inch in diameter and about 1.5 inch in height.