Peppermint Chocolate Meringue Clouds
Delightfully festive and visually stunning, these Peppermint Chocolate Meringue Clouds are a sensational addition to any holiday dessert tray. The recipe features a buttery cookie base that serves as a perfect canvas for a fluffy meringue topping, enhanced with crunchy crushed peppermint sticks and mini chocolate chips. Each cloud-like meringue is light as air yet packed with flavor, making them an irresistible treat for Christmas gatherings or any winter celebration. Your guests will admire both their beauty and taste, and you’ll love how easy they are to make!
42
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Egg yolks
2 (None)
Flour
2 1/2 cups (None)
Salt
1 teaspoon (None)
Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Sugar
3/4 cup (None)
Shortening
2/3 cup (None)
Milk
1/4 cup (None)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
Egg whites
2 (None)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Sugar
1/2 cup (None)
Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup (Mini chips recommended)
Peppermint stick candy
1 cup (Coarsely crushed)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, baking powder, 3/4 cup sugar, shortening, milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix until a dough forms, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
2
While the dough is chilling, prepare the meringue. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites with 1/4 teaspoon salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat.
3
Gently fold in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, vinegar, chocolate chips (mini chips preferred), and the crushed peppermint stick candy into the meringue mixture.
4
Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
5
Using a rounded teaspoon, shape the chilled cookie dough into small balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in sugar.
6
Top each cookie with a rounded teaspoon of the prepared meringue mixture.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the meringue is just set and lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Peppermint Chocolate Meringue Clouds?
Peppermint Chocolate Meringue Clouds are festive holiday treats consisting of a buttery cookie base topped with a light, fluffy meringue filled with crushed peppermint and mini chocolate chips.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 42 servings.
How long should the cookie dough be chilled before shaping?
The cookie dough should be covered and chilled in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking these cookies?
The cookies should be baked in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C).
What type of chocolate chips are best for the meringue?
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips are recommended for the best texture within the meringue.
How do you prepare the peppermint candy for the recipe?
The peppermint stick candy should be coarsely crushed before being folded into the meringue.
Should the cookie sheets be greased?
No, the recipe specifies placing the dough on ungreased cookie sheets.
How do you flatten the cookie dough balls?
Flatten each dough ball slightly using the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in sugar.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes or until the meringue is just set and lightly golden.
What ingredients are used in the cookie base dough?
The base is made from egg yolks, flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, shortening, milk, and vanilla extract.
How do you achieve stiff peaks for the meringue?
Beat the egg whites with salt until soft peaks form, then gradually add sugar while continuing to beat until the peaks become stiff.
How many egg yolks are required?
The recipe requires 2 egg yolks for the cookie dough.
How many egg whites are needed for the meringue?
You will need 2 egg whites for the meringue topping.
What is the purpose of vinegar in the meringue?
Vinegar helps stabilize the egg whites, ensuring the meringue remains fluffy and holds its shape.
How much peppermint candy is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of coarsely crushed peppermint stick candy.
What is the correct way to add the chips and candy to the meringue?
Gently fold the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint into the beaten egg white mixture to avoid deflating it.
Should the cookies be cooled on the baking sheet?
No, the cookies should be allowed to cool on a wire rack after being removed from the oven.
What size should the dough balls be before flattening?
The dough should be shaped into small balls using a rounded teaspoon.
Can I use butter instead of shortening in the dough?
The original recipe specifies shortening, which provides a specific texture, but butter can often be substituted if necessary.
How much flour is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of flour.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Dessert.
What is the consistency of the dough before chilling?
The ingredients should be mixed until a dough forms, which will be soft and require chilling to become manageable.
How much sugar is in the cookie base compared to the meringue?
The cookie base uses 3/4 cup of sugar, while the meringue uses 1/2 cup.
What should I avoid when beating the egg whites?
Be careful not to overbeat the egg whites once they reach the stiff peak stage.
What kind of vanilla is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses vanilla extract in both the cookie dough and the meringue topping.
Is baking powder included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder is used as a leavening agent in the cookie base.
How much milk is needed for the dough?
The dough requires 1/4 cup of milk.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include meringue cookies, christmas desserts, peppermint treats, and holiday baking.
How much salt is used in total?
A total of 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt is used: 1 teaspoon in the dough and 1/4 teaspoon in the meringue.
What makes these cookies 'clouds'?
The light, airy texture of the meringue topping gives the cookies their cloud-like appearance and name.