There's something magical about biting into a light, crisp cookie that melts away and leaves behind a cool hint of peppermint. This Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe is just that—a perfect holiday treat that looks like a little snowflake and tastes just like Christmas. They're delicate, colorful, and surprisingly simple to make once you get the hang of it.

The image shows a white bowl filled with meringue cookies, each with a swirl of red or green color on a white base. The meringues are shaped like small peaks with smooth, slightly glossy surfaces and a light, airy texture. Some have bright green swirls running from the base to the tip, while others have red swirls that look like soft stripes. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, and the background is blurred, focusing on the crisp details of the meringues in the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, these peppermint meringue cookies have become my go-to festive treat for gifting and cookie trays alike. The fun colors, the peppermint kick, and the airy crunch just nail that holiday vibe perfectly!

Light & Airy Texture: They’re crisp without being hard, almost like a sweet cloud melting on your tongue.
Festive Flair: With a hint of red and green, they instantly brighten up any cookie platter or gift box.
Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples, no fancy equipment required.
Long Shelf Life: Store them well and they keep for a week—perfect for making ahead during the busy holidays.

Round meringue cookies are spread out on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two colors: white and either red or green. The white part makes up about half of each cookie, and the colored part swirls up from the base, creating a twisted look on the top. The red sections range from light to dark red with a slightly shiny texture, while the green sections vary from bright to dark green with a glossy finish. The cookies have a smooth, slightly crackled surface and a small peak at the center of the swirl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect melt-in-your-mouth crunch and smooth peppermint flavor. Here’s the scoop on what you need and why each matters.

Flat lay of four whole uncracked brown eggs with smooth clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white caster sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding white vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white cornstarch powder, a few drops of red and green gel food coloring arranged as small blobs on a simple white ceramic plate, and a small white ceramic bowl with clear peppermint extract liquid placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Egg Whites: Use room temperature egg whites for maximum volume and stable peaks when whipped.
White Vinegar: Helps stabilize the egg whites and keep your meringue from weeping or collapsing.
Cornstarch: Gives the cookies a tender crunch and helps hold their shape while baking low and slow.
Caster Sugar: Fine sugar dissolves quickly into the foam to create a glossy, smooth meringue; if you can’t find it, pulse granulated sugar briefly in a food processor.
Peppermint Extract: The heart of that festive flavor—pure peppermint extract is best for authentic taste.
Gel Food Coloring: I like using red and green gels because they don’t thin the batter like liquid colors can.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love adding my own twist to the Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe by switching up colors or trying other extracts, but peppermint will always be my holiday favorite. Don’t be afraid to make these cookies your own!

Variation: One year, I swapped half the peppermint extract for vanilla and added a few mini chocolate chips piped onto the cookies before baking—game changer for chocolate lovers!
Dietary: Since these cookies are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, they’re great for most dietary needs. Just be sure to use a peppermint extract and food coloring without additives if allergies are a concern.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whip to Foamy Peaks

Start by beating your room temperature egg whites on high speed until they turn foamy—about 30 seconds. This is when the meringue starts coming to life, so don’t rush it. Then add in the white vinegar and cornstarch and whip until soft peaks form, usually another minute or so. The texture should look silky but still soft enough to hold shape.

Step 2: Gradually Add Sugar & Peppermint

Slowly pour your caster sugar in a thin stream while beating constantly. This helps dissolve the sugar fully so your meringue stays stable and glossy. Once all sugar is incorporated, add the peppermint extract and continue beating for about 4 minutes until stiff peaks form—the meringue should be shiny and hold a firm peak when the beaters come out.

Step 3: Prepare Your Piping Bag

This next step is one of my favorites because it’s where the cookies get their festive look! Using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, draw thin lines of red gel food coloring on the inside of the bag for one half of your batter. Fill the bag halfway with the meringue and pipe one-inch stars onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Repeat with green gel lines in a second bag for the remaining meringue.

Step 4: Low & Slow Baking

Bake your meringue cookies in a preheated 200°F oven for about 80 minutes. Then turn the oven off and leave the cookies inside for another 4 hours or overnight to fully dry out. This gentle, prolonged heat keeps them crisp but delicate—don’t be tempted to crank the temp or shorten the drying time!

Top Tip

Let me share some of the nuggets I’ve picked up making the Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe year after year. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls and get a perfect batch every time.

Egg White Prep: Make sure there’s no yolk mixed in. Even a tiny bit can prevent stiff peaks.
Adding Sugar Slowly: It’s tempting to rush, but pouring sugar too quickly can cause your meringue to deflate or be grainy.
Watch Your Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer if you can. The low heat is drying, not baking, so temperature control is key.
Patience is Key: Don’t skip the cool-down time inside the oven after baking. It’s what gives the cookies their crisp, dry bite.

How to Serve Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

peppermint meringue cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar or tiny crushed candy canes sprinkled on top to double-down on that peppermint vibe. The crushed candy adds just a little crunch and pizzazz without overpowering the delicate cookie.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or peppermint tea, making them a perfect holiday afternoon snack. I also like serving them alongside richer desserts like chocolate tarts to add a contrasting crunch and minty freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I love stacking these delicate cookies in a clear treat box lined with festive tissue paper. You can also arrange them on a beautiful platter, alternating red and green meringues for a cheerful effect that guests always comment on.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover peppermint meringue cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I find they keep their crispness beautifully for up to a week, but honestly, mine rarely last that long! Just make sure the container is sealed tightly to avoid moisture ruining the delicate crunch.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies if you want to make a big batch early. I recommend freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring to an airtight container or zip-top bag. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature—no reheating necessary.

Reheating

Meringue cookies don’t really need reheating—just serve them as-is to enjoy their crisp texture. If you feel they’ve gotten a bit soft, gently warming them in a low oven (around 150°F) for a few minutes can help, but be careful to watch closely so they don’t brown or melt.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of caster sugar?

While caster sugar dissolves more easily for the smoothest meringue, you can create a makeshift version by pulsing granulated sugar in your food processor until it's fine but not powdery. Avoid powdered sugar as it alters texture too much.

Why do the meringue cookies need to bake for so long at a low temperature?

The low and slow baking dries out the meringue without browning it, resulting in a crisp and delicate texture. High heat will bake them too quickly and risk making them cracked or chewy.

Can I add other flavors besides peppermint?

Absolutely! While peppermint is classic and festive, vanilla, almond, or even a drop of orange extract can work beautifully. Just be mindful of the concentration to keep the delicate balance of flavors.

How do I prevent the meringue from collapsing or becoming grainy?

Make sure your mixing bowl and beaters are perfectly clean, add sugar gradually after the whites are foamy, and whip until stiff peaks form. Also, avoid any yolk contamination and do not rush the process—patience pays off!

Final Thoughts

The beauty of this Festive Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity and festive charm. Every year, I look forward to making these with a cup of coffee in hand, knowing I’m creating something truly special that will spread holiday cheer. Give them a try—you might just find they become your holiday tradition too!