Crisp and delicate, these minty meringue cookies are as light as can be. A simple but clever technique for “striping” piping bags with food coloring gel creates the handsome stripes. For best results, be sure your mixer bowl and beaters are completely clean and egg whites are free of any bits of yolk. You’ll need two disposable plastic piping bags (16-inch size) and a clean paint brush (buy them at a craft store, cookware store, or online), and you should have two tall glasses or wide-mouth jars handy. The recipe is a Yummly original created by Saura Madani.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this easy-to-make recipe for Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls.
1. Info for Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls
- Cook Time: 1 hr 25 min
- Total Time: 1 hr 25 min
- Servings: 30
- Calories: 21.37 kcal
2. Ingredients for Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls
- 3 egg whites (large)
- 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Red food coloring gel
3. Directions:
3.1 Preheat
Preheat the oven to 200°F.
3.2 Prep
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl and whip on high speed until frothy, 20-30 seconds. Continue to beat on high speed, gradually adding the sugar over 1-1 1/2 minutes until all has been added. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the vanilla and peppermint extracts. Whip whites on high speed, stopping to scrape bowl once or twice, until stiff, glossy peaks form when whisk is lifted from meringue, 4-5 minutes total.
Turn a piping bag inside-out. Using a paintbrush, make 4-6 lines with the red food coloring up the sides of the bags, starting from about 1 inch above the tip and ending about 3 inches below the top edge of the bag. Carefully turn the bag right-side-out, and place tip-side-down in a tall glass. Fold the un-painted cuff over the edge of the glass. Using a rubber spatula, spoon half of the meringue into the prepared piping bag. Repeat with a second bag and the remaining meringue.
Unfold the cuffs of bags and twist closed at the top. Snip a 1 inch tip off each bag. Holding the piping bag straight above the prepared baking sheets, gently squeeze the piping bag from the top to form meringue “kisses” about 1 inch tall and 1 1/2 inches wide. Space the meringues about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
3.3 Oven
Bake the meringues on racks in upper third and lower third of oven for 30 minutes. Switch pan positions, then continue baking until meringues feel firm and dry when lightly pressed, 30-40 minutes.
3.4 Check
Check to see that meringues are done. Add time as needed, and when done, turn off oven and allow meringues to rest inside for 1 hour to crisp the centers. If you prefer a slightly chewy center, skip this step and remove the meringues from the oven immediately.
3.5 Prep
Transfer pans to cooling racks to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
3.6 Serve
Serve meringues immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.