Your holiday baking doesn’t have to be complicated, as this tale of making Peppermint Meringues with my daughter shows. Making meringues is a fun and easy way to spend some time together preparing for the holidays and adding some bling to the dessert trays.
What lovelier way to spend an afternoon
than making Christmas goodies with my girl?
Jenn joined me in the kitchen today
so we could make these
PEPPERMINT MERINGUES
for the dinner she’s hosting Christmas Eve.
An easy treat that’s perfumed my kitchen
with the scent of peppermint
and, best of all,
the treat of visiting with my daughter.
These meringues are festive, cheery, and light as air,
with just the right hint of minty freshness.
The perfect meringue is crispy on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside. The added freshness of peppermint makes these a special delight.
- 2 eggs (or an equivalent amount of packaged egg whites)
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup superfine sugar
- 1/8 tsp pure peppermint extract
- Decorative sugar for sprinkling (optional)
-
Pre-heat the oven to 225ºF. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
-
Separate the eggs, reserving the yolks for another use. (See Note.)
-
Whisk egg whites at high speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and whisk in. Gradually add in the sugar while contuing to whisk. Add the peppermint extract, and continue to beat until the egg whites are glossy and stiff peaks form.
-
Transfer the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large decorative tip, and pipe mounds that are about 1-1/2 inches in diameter, lifting the bag at the end to form a decorative flourish on top. Adorn with a festive sprinkling of red and green sugar if desired.
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Bake in the middle rack of the oven for about an hour and a quarter. The meringues will be light and sound hollow when you tap them. Let cool on a rack and store in an airtight container. Jenn says not to worry about leftovers — they'll go fast!
For four different methods to separate eggs, see this post. Choose the one that’s easiest for you so you can separate those whites and yolks with confidence!
Looking for More Holiday Treats?
Here are a few more fun and festive treats that are must-haves on my Christmas dessert table: Cherry Coconut Bars, Ginger & Sour Cherry Puffs, and Elfin Brownie Bites.
First Published 2013 12 23
Republished 2017 12 11
Republished 2021 12 07
