What is the secret to meringue?

How to Make Meringue Successfully When making meringues, always cook egg whites to avoid salmonella poisoning. Don't use packaged egg whites to make meringue. ... Use fresh egg whites. ... Use eggs at room temperature. ... Never let any yolk get into the whites. Don't overbeat egg whites. More items...

What is the most stable meringue for cookies?

Italian meringue is generally considered to be the most stable of the meringues (which makes it suitable for making frosting too), but also, the most difficult to make of the three meringue types.

What makes meringues chewy in the middle?

Chewy meringues, or pavlovas, have cornflour and vinegar added , which helps create that chewy centre.

Why do people add lemon juice to meringue?

Whether it be vinegar, lemon juice, cream of tartar, or a combination, an acid will greatly improve the structure of meringue . Acid not only helps meringue whip up and aerate more quickly, it also keeps it stable. Without acid, meringue is more likely to collapse either during or after mixing.

What must be avoided when making meringue?

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meringue Adding Sugar Too Quickly. Skipping Cream of Tartar. Mixing in a Dirty Bowl. Using Cold Eggs. Overbeating the Egg Whites. Squeezing the Air Out. Baking at Too Low a Temperature. Mar 19, 2024

Why do you put vinegar in meringue?

The cornflour and vinegar that is added strengthens the egg white and make it more stable and you get the marshmallowy centres from the shorter cooking time.

Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe (2024)

Home » Desserts » Cookies » Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

September 1, 2022November 20, 2017 by Malinda Linnebur

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These classic Peppermint Meringue Cookies are perfect for your Christmas cookie tray! Meringue drops are light, airy, festive, and easy to make.

Peppermint Meringues

These peppermint meringuecookies are the perfect treat if you are looking for something light, airy, and a little different from the usual chocolate treats.

They are crispy, have the perfect amount of peppermint flavor, and are simple to make.

I was in the mood for something different, and that is when this meringue cookie recipe was born! I wanted to make sure these meringue drops weren’t the average cookie you may see every year.

Some other great cookies I have are these PeanutButter Ritz Cracker Cookies, Chocolate Chip Pecan Shortbread Cookies, and these Swedish Butter Cookies (one of my favorite cookies!).

Why You’ll Love This Meringue Cookie Recipe

Only 5 ingredients + food coloring
The perfect amount of mint flavor
Simple enough for a beginner
Delicious flavor
Great texture
Stunning presentation

Mint Meringue Cookies Ingredients

Egg whites
Cream of Tarter
Pure Peppermint Extract
Granulated Sugar
Red Food Coloring

How To Make Peppermint Meringues

PREP: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Add parchment paper to two baking sheets.

MERINGUE: Combine the egg whites with the cream of tartar, peppermint, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix until soft peaks form, then slowly add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat well after each addition. Beat until stiff peaks form.

PIPE COOKIES: Place a pastry bag with a star tip inside of a large cup, folding the excess over the edge. Use a paintbrush to paint small stripes of red food coloring up the sides of the pastry bag. Then spoon the meringue into the bag. Pipe 1″ meringue drops on the baking sheets about 1″ apart.

BAKE: Bake the peppermint meringue cookies for 1 1/2 hours or until the cookies appear firm and dry when they are touched. Cool on a wire rack. Serve and enjoy!

About these Peppermint Meringue Cookies:

Make sure the bowl, beater, and spatula you are using are squeaky clean.Any oily residue will prevent your meringue from reaching stiff peaks.
When separating the yolks from the whites, be very careful not to get any yolk in the white, or the meringue won’t reach stiff peaks.
One thing you can do with the leftover egg yolks is to freeze them.The Kitchn has an article on how to freeze egg whites and yolks.They also have this article with recipes to use up leftover egg yolks that you might want to check out.
This meringue cookie recipe is easy, but it does require a little bit of patience.Add the sugar in a little bit at a time and allow it to mix in well before adding in more. This allows the peppermint meringues to be the perfect texture, so it’s worth it!
You could also make these for baby showers, wedding showers, or even weddings.Just leave it white or paint the stripe blue or pink to suit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do peppermint meringue cookies last?

They will last up to 1 week stored in an airtight container. Additionally, they will last up to 1 month in the freezer and should be thawed before serving.

Can I still make mint meringue cookies without a pastry bag?

Absolutely! You can simply drop them by the spoonful instead.

Can I use egg whites in the carton?

No, you will need to use fresh egg whites for the meringue to set up properly. The cartons tend to be pasteurized, and they won’t develop stiff peaks as well.