Christmas Tree Meringues Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Tree Meringues are a festive and light treat perfect for the holiday season. Crisp on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth soft inside, they bring a charming touch to any celebration table.

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• Edible star sprinkles or decorations

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuously beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
4. Step 4: Mix in the vanilla extract and green food coloring until the meringue reaches your desired shade of green.
5. Step 5: Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe tall swirls onto the baking sheets to resemble Christmas trees.
6. Step 6: Decorate the top of each meringue with an edible star sprinkle or decoration.
7. Step 7: Bake for 1.5 hours, then turn off the oven and let the meringues cool completely inside with the door closed to set properly.

Tips & Variations

• Use a clean, grease-free bowl to ensure your egg whites whip properly.
• Try different food coloring shades or add a hint of peppermint extract for a festive twist.
• Pipe meringue shapes onto silicone mats for easier removal.

Storage

Store the cooled meringues in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp, for up to one week. Avoid moisture to prevent them from becoming sticky. They do not require reheating and are best enjoyed fresh.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar?

Granulated sugar is preferred as it dissolves well and helps achieve the glossy texture, but superfine sugar can be a suitable substitute. Powdered sugar is not recommended as it contains cornstarch that affects texture.

Why did my meringues weep or become sticky?

This usually happens if the sugar wasn’t fully dissolved or if there was moisture in the oven when cooling. Ensure sugar is added gradually and that meringues cool fully in a dry environment with the oven door closed.

Christmas Tree Meringues Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 130 reviews

Delightfully light and festive Christmas Tree Meringues that are crisp on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth soft inside, perfect for holiday celebrations and gifting.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 12–15 meringue trees depending on size 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Western
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Egg Whites Mixture

• 4 large egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Sugar Mixture

• 1 cup granulated sugar

Flavor & Color

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green food coloring (amount as needed to achieve desired color)

Decoration

• Edible star sprinkles or decorations

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 200°F (95°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal of meringues.
2. Beat Egg Whites: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the 4 large egg whites with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar until soft peaks form. This creates the base for your airy meringue.
3. Add Sugar Gradually: Slowly add the granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continually beating. Continue until the meringue forms stiff, glossy peaks, indicating it’s perfectly whipped and ready.
4. Add Flavor and Color: Gently fold in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and green food coloring gradually until the mixture reaches your preferred festive shade of green.
5. Pipe Meringues: Transfer the colored meringue into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe tall, swirling shapes on the lined baking sheet to mimic the shape of Christmas trees.
6. Decorate: Place edible star sprinkles or decorations on top of each piped meringue tree for a whimsical finishing touch.
7. Bake: Bake the meringue trees in the preheated oven for 1.5 hours to dry them out slowly without browning.
8. Cool: After baking, turn off the oven and leave the meringues inside with the door closed to cool completely. This helps them set perfectly crisp.

Notes

• Ensure the mixing bowl and beaters are completely clean and grease-free to achieve the best volume for your meringue.
• Use pasteurized egg whites if you prefer to avoid raw eggs.
• Humidity can affect meringue texture; try to make these on a dry day for best results.
• Store cooled meringues in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
• Feel free to experiment with different colors and decorations to customize these festive treats.

Keywords: Christmas meringues, holiday desserts, festive treats, Christmas tree meringue, egg white meringue, party desserts