Description
Airy Christmas Tree Meringues are crisp, glossy, and festive. We whip stable meringue, tint it evergreen, pipe stacked swirls into tree shapes, and dry-bake for delicate cookies that store and ship beautifully.
Ingredients
- 4 large egg whites (120 g), room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) superfine/caster sugar
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar (or 1 tsp lemon juice)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or 1/2 tsp almond or peppermint extract)
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 1/4–1/2 tsp green gel food coloring
- Assorted sprinkles (stars, pearls, sanding sugar)
- 2–3 oz white chocolate or candy melts (optional for bases/drizzle)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 225°F (110°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Ensure bowl and whisk are grease-free.
2. Whip egg whites with cream of tartar and a pinch of salt on medium speed until soft peaks form, 1-2 minutes.
3. Increase to medium-high. Add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, waiting 10-15 seconds between additions, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5-7 minutes total.
4. Beat in vanilla (or almond/peppermint). Tint with green gel coloring to desired shade.
5. Fit a piping bag with a large star tip (1M or 2D). Fill with meringue. Pipe trees by stacking three rosettes, each smaller than the one below.
6. Decorate with star sprinkles and nonpareils. Bake 60-75 minutes, until dry to the touch and they lift cleanly.
7. Turn off the oven, prop door slightly ajar, and let meringues dry inside 45-60 minutes.
8. Optional: Dip bases in melted white chocolate for stability or drizzle lightly for a snowy look. Cool completely.
9. Store airtight at room temperature up to 2 weeks with a few grains of rice to absorb humidity.
Notes
For superfine sugar, pulse granulated sugar in a blender briefly.
Avoid humidity; it makes meringues sticky. Re-crisp in a 200°F (95°C) oven for 15-30 minutes if needed.
Gel food colors maintain stability better than liquid dyes.
Peppermint is potent – start with 1/4 tsp and adjust to taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes (plus 45-60 minutes drying in off-oven)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meringue
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg