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The Ultimate Easy Meringue Cookies Recipe: Light, Crisp, and Perfect Every Time

A stack of freshly baked, bright white meringue cookies piped into elegant swirls on a small white plate.
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Make light, airy meringue cookies that are crisp outside and melt-in-your-mouth soft inside using this simple French meringue technique. This recipe is foolproof for beginners and results in delicate sweet treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to the lowest setting, typically 200°F (95°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a very clean, grease-free bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer), combine the egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form.
  3. Gradually add the sugar, about one tablespoon at a time, while beating continuously on medium-high speed. Wait about 30 seconds between each addition.
  4. Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed to high and beat until the meringue is stiff, glossy, and holds firm peaks. When you rub a small amount between your fingers, you should not feel any sugar granules.
  5. Beat in the vanilla extract until just combined.
  6. Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or use two spoons for rustic drops).
  7. Pipe or drop small mounds (about 1.5 inches wide) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each cookie.
  8. Bake for 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the size of your cookies and your oven. The goal is to dry them out, not brown them.
  9. Turn off the oven, prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon, and let the meringue cookies cool completely inside the oven for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. This step helps prevent cracking and ensures a crisp texture.
  10. Store the finished meringue kisses in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

  • Ensure your mixing bowl and whisk are completely free of any fat or grease; even a tiny bit will prevent the egg whites from whipping properly.
  • For festive holiday meringue cookie ideas, you can add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract instead of vanilla, or mix in 1 tablespoon of Jello powder with the sugar for flavored meringue cookie recipes.
  • These cookies are naturally gluten free meringues, making them a safe option for various diets.
  • If you want to make maple meringue cookies, substitute 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar with maple sugar, reducing the total granulated sugar slightly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/meringue-cookies-recipe-light-crisp-perfect/