Festive Santa Hat Meringue Cookies
These delightful Festive Santa Hat Meringue Cookies are the perfect holiday treat to impress your friends and family. Light, airy, and filled with holiday spirit, these meringue cookies resemble mini Santa hats, making them ideal for festive gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a charming decoration on dessert tables. The contrast of the bright red sugar and the fluffy white meringue creates a fun and whimsical dessert that is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate. Enjoy these cookies with a cup of hot cocoa or share them as sweet gifts this holiday season!
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Egg whites
2 (at room temperature)
Cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon
Vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon
Sugar
1/2 cup
Red colored crystal sugar
to taste (for sprinkling)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a clean, dry mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks begin to form.
3
Gradually add the cream of tartar and vanilla extract while continuing to beat the egg whites.
4
Slowly incorporate the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until the meringue is glossy and stiff peaks form.
5
Spoon the meringue into a quart-size plastic bag and snip off a bottom corner to create a piping bag.
6
On the prepared baking sheet, pipe 2 dozen 1.5-inch tall triangles to form Santa hat shapes. You will have about 1/4 of the meringue left.
7
Sprinkle the formed triangles generously with red crystal sugar to create the Santa hat color.
8
Using the remaining meringue, add a small dollop at the tip of each hat for the pom-pom and pipe a trim at the base of each hat.
9
Bake the meringue hats in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes, until they are hard but not browned.
10
Once baking is complete, turn off the oven and let the meringue hats sit in the oven for an additional hour to fully dry and crisp up.
11
Once cooled, carefully remove the Santa hat meringue cookies from the baking sheet and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Santa Hat Meringue Cookies?
These are light, airy holiday treats shaped like mini Santa hats, made primarily from egg whites and sugar, then decorated with red crystal sugar.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 200°F (93°C) for a low and slow bake.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are five ingredients required: egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla extract, sugar, and red colored crystal sugar.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 24 cookies, or 2 dozen.
What is the best way to prepare the egg whites?
The egg whites should be at room temperature before you begin beating them to ensure maximum volume.
Why is cream of tartar used in this recipe?
Cream of tartar acts as a stabilizer to help the egg whites hold their shape and create a stiff meringue.
How should the sugar be added to the meringue?
Sugar should be incorporated slowly, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is glossy and stiff peaks form.
How do I form the Santa hat shapes?
Pipe 1.5-inch tall triangles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet using a piping bag or a snipped plastic bag.
When do I add the red color to the hats?
Sprinkle the red crystal sugar over the piped triangles before adding the white pom-poms and trim.
How do I create the white pom-pom on top of the hat?
Using the remaining meringue, add a small dollop at the very tip of each red triangle.
How is the trim at the base of the hat created?
Pipe a line of the remaining white meringue around the bottom edge of each red triangle.
How long do the meringue cookies need to bake?
They should bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
What should the cookies look like after baking?
The cookies should be hard to the touch but not browned.
Why must the cookies stay in the oven after it is turned off?
Leaving them in the oven for an additional hour allows them to fully dry out and become crisp.
Can I make a DIY piping bag for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a quart-size plastic bag and snip off a bottom corner to create a functional piping bag.
What should I use to line the baking sheet?
Parchment paper should be used to prevent the meringue from sticking to the tray.
What kind of extract is used for flavoring?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
What is the texture of these holiday cookies?
These cookies are light and airy with a crisp finish.
Are these cookies suitable for a cookie exchange?
Yes, their festive appearance and unique shape make them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges.
What is a suggested beverage to serve with these cookies?
They are delicious when paired with a warm cup of hot cocoa.
What kind of bowl should I use to beat the egg whites?
Always use a clean, dry mixing bowl to ensure the egg whites whip up correctly.
What mixer speed should I use initially?
Start with a medium speed until soft peaks begin to form.
How tall should each meringue hat be?
Each triangle should be approximately 1.5 inches tall.
Can these be used as table decorations?
Yes, they serve as charming edible decorations for any holiday dessert table.
What gives the hats their vibrant red color?
Red colored crystal sugar is sprinkled over the meringue to create the red hat effect.
How many egg whites are required?
The recipe requires 2 egg whites.
How much sugar is used in the meringue?
A 1/2 cup of granulated sugar is needed.
Are these cookies a good gift idea?
Absolutely, they make wonderful sweet gifts for friends and family during the holiday season.
Can I use these for Christmas parties?
Yes, they are specifically designed as a festive treat for Christmas and holiday gatherings.
How do I remove them from the baking sheet?
Once they are completely cooled and dried, carefully lift them off the parchment paper.