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These easy Candy Cane Meringue Cookies will make holiday snacking fun and festive! They're crunchy and sweet cookies with the perfect balance of chocolate and peppermint!
Candy Cane Meringue Cookies
The holidays are the best time to try your hand at some more creative and out there baking projects. And these cute and crunchy candy cane meringue cookies should bump up to the top of your baking to-do list. They are so fun and whimsical, and remind me of a sweet treat you'd see in one of those holiday cartoon movies like Rudolph or the original Grinch.
What Are Meringue Cookies?
They're like little snow drops of sweetness, peppermint, and a hint of chocolate. If you're a mint and chocolate kind of person like I am, you have GOT to try these. They're easy to make, but a bit time-consuming because they bake for an hour and then cool in the turned-off oven for one to two hours. That slow cooling period is super important for meringue cookies to allow them not to crack. Luckily, since it's all hands-off time, you can be doing other things while you wait for them! I can't wait for you to bake and bite into these all holiday season long!
How long do meringue cookies last?
Meringue cookies will last for up to two weeks stored in an airtight container after they've completely cooled!
Can I put meringue cookies in the fridge or freezer?
You can store them in the fridge, as long as they are kept in an airtight container. The way to keep them nice and crispy is not allowing any humidity to hit them.
You can also freeze meringue cookies, but when you defrost them, be careful that they don't absorb any moisture and soften the meringue. Layer them in an airtight container between parchment papers, and freeze for up to a month.
Why are my meringue cookies chewy?
Sugar actually pulls moisture from the air and into the cookies, so leaving the cookies in the oven for at least an hour (or two, if you live in a humid or rainy climate) is important to get them nice an crisp. If they're still chewy, bake them for another 10 minutes at 225 degrees F.
Why did my meringue cookies crack?
Meringue cookies are very sensitive to the air -- both its humidity and temperature -- so make sure you leave them in the turned-off oven after baking for at least an hour. They'll crack if they cool too quickly, so better safe than sorry... The longer time left in the oven, the better!
Candy Cane Meringue Cookies
- Author: Melissa Griffiths
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
Description
These easy Candy Cane Meringue Cookies will make holiday snacking fun and festive! They're crunchy and sweet cookies with the perfect balance of chocolate and peppermint!
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cupgranulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoonsalt
- 4large egg whites
- ¾ teaspoonvanilla extract
- ¼ teaspooncream of tartar
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 2-3 candy canes or peppermint sticks, finely crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F., and adjust two racks so that they are in the upper-middle and lower-middle position.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt, and whisk to combine.
- Whip the egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar together with an electric mixer on medium-low speed, until the mixture is foamy, about 1 minute.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium-high, and whip until the whites are soft and "billowy."
- Gradually, add the sugar mixture while the mixer is running, and whip until the whites are glossy and form stiff peaks, 1 to 3 minutes.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Use a spoon or a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip to make 1 ¼-inch wide meringue kisses on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about an inch apart.
- Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
- Bake the meringue cookies for 1 hour. Turn off the oven, and let the meringues sit in the oven for an additional 1 hour (or 2 hours, if in humid or rainy conditions). Remove the cookies from the oven, and let the cool before serving, about 10 minutes.
- Keep meringues crispy by storing extras in an airtight container if you live in a humid area.
Notes
- Be sure that there is NO egg yolk in your whites -- even a little will stop your egg whites from whipping up properly.
- Along that line, make sure your bowl and mixer are free from grease; this will also cause your egg whites not to whip up correctly (egg whites hate fat).
- This is a great recipe to have on hand for when you have made something that is egg-yolk heavy, like pudding or creme brûlée.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: candy cane cookies, meringue cookies, meringue cookies recipe, christmas cookies recipe, best christmas cookies recipe, easy christmas cookies recipe, easy christmas cookies
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About Melissa
Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...
Reader Interactions
Comments
hqketo.com
wow its look so yummm
★★★★★
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Keto Diet Line
This is great article and so helpful.
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Eva Watson
This is a brilliant writing and very pleased to find this site. I couldn’t discover to much different information on your blog. I will surely be back again to look at some other important posts that you have in future.
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Stepehn
I really loved reading your thoughts, obviously you know what are you talking about! Your site is so easy to use too, I’ve bookmark it in my folder 😀
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Melissa
I appreciate the feedback so much, I'm always trying to make things easier for you and I'm happy it's working!
Health and Beauty Facts
You have a great blog - I would think your readership is very high?
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Paul @ Diet Blog Pro
i love cookies. it is vert tasty.
★★★★
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Bella Hardy
I finally got to make these candy cane meringue cookies this past weekend and it was such a hit!!
★★★★★
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Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky
I am obsessed with desserts! Absolutely love your creative idea with candy cane meringue cookies! Never seen something like this! Definitely i will try to make it too! Thx for sharing Melissa!
★★★★★
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suzamcq
These look great! Any info on how to store them or how long they last (I usually do my Christmas baking well in advance)...thank you!
Reply
Melissa
I honestly don't know! They never last that long...
linda lu
3/5 of a cup??? you're killing me, Smalls.
Reply
Melissa
What, your measuring cup set didn't come with a 3/5 cup? That's odd 🙂 I changed it to 3/4 of a cup! Thanks for pointed that out.
HoosierHomemade
I love meringue! And with peppermint, it just screams Christmas!
Thanks for joining the Cookie Exchange!
~Liz@HoosierHomemadeReply
Tiff
These look wonderful! About how many cookies do you get from each batch?
Reply
Melissa
About 2 dozen, but you can make them bigger or smaller so they can get more or less out of them!
Katrina Bahl (In Katrina's Kitchen)
I have yet to make meringue cookies! What am I waiting for? These look delicious 🙂
Reply
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
These look amazing!! I love the addition of peppermint to a meringue cookie - YUM!!
Reply
Sue {munchkin munchies}
These are so pretty and festive! Melt in your mouth goodness:)
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Danelle
I love meringues! They're so fun to stir into hot chocolate!
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Leigh Anne @Your Homebased MOm
This is one of my favorite holiday recipes. I had them a few years ago and couldn't wait to get home and make them myself! Such pretty pictures!
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