Description
These Tree Meringue Cookies are light, airy, crisp Christmas treats shaped like festive holiday trees. Made with whipped egg whites, sugar, and a touch of vanilla, they are delicate, gluten-free, and perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or decorating your holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 4 large egg whites (about 120g)
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- Star sprinkles (for topping)
- Holiday sprinkles or nonpareils
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 200°F (93°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whip Egg Whites: In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Add Sugar Slowly: Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form and the sugar is dissolved (7–10 minutes).
- Color & Flavor: Add vanilla extract and green gel food coloring. Mix until fully combined.
- Pipe Trees: Transfer meringue to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe tree-shaped swirls onto prepared baking sheets.
- Decorate: Top each meringue tree with star sprinkles and nonpareils before baking.
- Bake: Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes. Turn off oven and leave cookies inside for an additional hour to dry completely.
- Cool: Remove and cool fully. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Use room-temperature egg whites for best volume.
- Avoid any yolk or fat contamination.
- Add sugar slowly to avoid gritty texture.
- Gel food coloring prevents thinning the meringue.
- Do not refrigerate—store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Tree Meringue Cookies, Christmas Meringue, Holiday Cookies, Gluten-Free Cookies, Meringue Trees, Christmas Desserts