If you’re looking for a light, airy treat that’s bursting with refreshing flavor and adds a pop of charm to your holiday spread, you’re going to adore this Peppermint Meringues Recipe. I absolutely love how these melt-in-your-mouth meringues come out crisp on the outside and delicately soft inside, with just the right hint of cool peppermint. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is surprisingly simple and super rewarding—perfect for sharing (or sneaking a few for yourself!). Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through every step, so your peppermint meringues turn out picture-perfect every time.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Light and Airy Texture: The meringues are crisp yet delicate, perfect for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Simple Ingredients: You’ll only need a handful of pantry staples and peppermint for that festive touch.
Fun and Festive Presentation: The red-striped piping bag trick adds gorgeous peppermint stripes to each cookie.
Perfect for Holidays or Gifts: These meringues store well and make adorable homemade gifts or party treats.

A white scalloped bowl filled with many small meringue kisses, each with swirled red and white coloring in sharp peaks, almost like little stars, stacked closely together. The meringues have a smooth, glossy texture with a soft curl at their tips. Around the bowl on a white marbled surface, several loose meringue kisses lie scattered, showing their bright red and white swirl pattern more clearly. The scene is brightly lit, emphasizing the shiny, crisp texture of the meringues. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Peppermint Meringues, peppermint meringues recipe, holiday meringues, easy peppermint treats, festive peppermint desserts

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll notice this Peppermint Meringues Recipe only calls for a few ingredients, but each plays an important role in the texture and flavor of the final cookie. A quick tip: always use fresh egg whites and high-quality peppermint extract for the best results.

Flat lay of three whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear peppermint concentrate liquid, and a tiny white ceramic dish containing bright red gel-paste food coloring, all arranged symmetrically and naturally 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 - Peppermint Meringues, peppermint meringues recipe, holiday meringues, easy peppermint treats, festive peppermint desserts

Large egg whites: Fresh is best here; room temperature whites whip up faster and give you more volume.
Sugar: Granulated sugar dissolves smoothly and helps create that glossy, stiff peak texture.
Peppermint concentrate or pure peppermint extract: Just a drop adds bright holiday flavor without overpowering.
Red gel-paste food coloring: This helps you create those fun peppermint stripes inside the meringue piping bag.
Parchment paper: Essential for easy removal and crisp bottoms without any sticking.

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.

Variations

I love that this Peppermint Meringues Recipe lends itself well to creativity. Over time, I’ve played with a few variations that keep things fun while ensuring you can tweak to suit your taste or occasion.

Chocolate-Drizzled Peppermint Meringues: Once your meringues are cooled, drizzle them with melted dark chocolate for a rich contrast I personally can’t resist.
Mini Peppermint Drops: Instead of stars, pipe tiny dots for bite-sized treats—I use these for cocktail parties or after-dinner snacks.
Natural Coloring Alternatives: Swap red gel-paste for a few crushed freeze-dried raspberries for gentle pink stripes and an extra berry note.
Alcohol-Infused Meringues: Add a splash of peppermint schnapps to the mix for adults-only festive flair—just be sure not to add too much liquid.

How to Make Peppermint Meringues Recipe

Step 1: Warm and Sweeten Your Egg Whites

Start by preheating your oven to 175°F (that’s a low, slow bake). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this keeps your meringues from sticking and helps them crisp perfectly. Then, place your egg whites and sugar into a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir gently for about 2 to 3 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture feels warm to the touch—this step ensures your sugar melts into the egg whites for that glossy, stiff texture that’s key for meringues.

Step 2: Whip to Stiff Peaks and Flavor

Remove the bowl from the heat and transfer it to your electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form—this means when you lift the whisk, the peaks stand up straight without falling. When I first tried this, I accidentally stopped a little early and the meringues were too soft to hold their shape, so don’t rush this step! Next, gently fold in your peppermint concentrate or extract for that bright, cooling flavor.

Step 3: Add Festive Stripes and Pipe

Here’s a little trick I discovered that makes your meringues look even more festive without extra fuss: using a small paintbrush, paint two or three stripes of red gel-paste food coloring inside a clean piping bag fitted with a small open-star tip—like Wilton M1. Then, fill the bag with your peppermint meringue mixture. As you pipe star shapes about ¾ inch high onto the prepared baking sheets, the stripes give the cookies a beautiful candy-cane effect. Remember to wipe and stripe the piping bag again when you refill it for consistent color.

Step 4: Bake Low and Slow

Bake your meringues for about 1 hour and 40 minutes until they’re crisp but not browned—this low and slow approach ensures they dry out without cracking or getting too dark. One of my favorite tips is to shut off the oven after baking and leave the meringues inside for an additional 30 minutes with the oven door slightly open—this helps them dry completely and makes them perfectly crisp.

Step 5: Cooling and Storing

Once cooled completely on the sheets placed over wire racks, transfer your peppermint meringues to a sealed container. They stay crisp and fresh for quite some time, making them great for preparing ahead or gifting!

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Meringues Recipe

Use Room Temperature Egg Whites: I learned that whites whip to more volume when not cold right from the fridge.
Check for Sugar Dissolution: Stirring over simmering water until sugar is dissolved prevents grainy meringues, which was a game changer for me.
Low Oven Temperature: Baking slow and gentle helps avoid browning and cracking, giving you that beautiful white finish every time.
Patience with Cooling: Leaving meringues to dry in the warm oven after baking ensures crispness without brittleness—don’t rush this!

How to Serve Peppermint Meringues Recipe

A white cake stand holds a pile of small meringue cookies, each with red and white swirled colors forming pointed peaks and smooth textures. The cookies are stacked in a lively cluster creating a high mound, with some scattered around the base on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is gently picking up one of the meringues from the top. In the background, there are small decorative green trees that add a festive touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Peppermint Meringues, peppermint meringues recipe, holiday meringues, easy peppermint treats, festive peppermint desserts

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a few crushed candy canes or tiny peppermint candy pieces alongside my meringues when serving—it adds an extra festive crunch and looks so pretty on a holiday platter. If you want to get fancy, a light dusting of edible glitter can make these cookies sparkle, which always impresses guests.

Side Dishes

These peppermint meringues pair wonderfully with hot drinks—think peppermint mocha, spiced hot chocolate, or your favorite black coffee. At family gatherings, I like to serve them alongside a rich fruitcake or spiced gingerbread for a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these meringues in small mason jars layered with red and white peppermint bark candies. You can also tie a pretty ribbon around a box filled with these as homemade gifts that will have everyone coming back to your kitchen for the recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

My go-to method is an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. This keeps the peppermint meringues crisp for at least a week at room temperature—perfect if you want to bake ahead for holiday entertaining.

Freezing

I honestly haven’t had much success freezing meringues because they can absorb moisture and lose their crispness, so I usually skip freezing to keep them fresh and perfect. However, if you want to try, freeze them flat in a single layer in a sealed container and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If your meringues ever lose a little crunch, you can revive them by warming gently in a low oven (around 200°F) for 5-10 minutes. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t brown or melt—this tip saved me during holiday rushes more than once!

FAQs

Can I use peppermint extract instead of peppermint concentrate?

Yes! Peppermint concentrate tends to be stronger so you only need a drop, but using ½ teaspoon of pure peppermint extract works just as well. Just adjust to taste, adding less at first if you prefer a subtle hint of peppermint.
How do I know when the sugar is fully dissolved in the meringue mixture?

After stirring your egg whites and sugar over simmering water, rub a small amount between your fingers. If it feels smooth with no graininess, the sugar is dissolved. This ensures your meringues are silky and glossy.
Why do my meringues crack sometimes?

Cracking usually happens if the oven temperature is too high or the meringues cool too quickly. Baking at a low temperature and letting them cool gradually inside the oven, like this recipe suggests, helps prevent cracks and keeps a smooth finish.
Can I make these vegan?

Traditional meringues rely on egg whites for that airy structure, but you can try aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) as a vegan substitute. The process is similar but the texture and baking times might vary, so it could take some experimentation.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Meringues Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, especially during the holidays. There’s something truly magical about piping those glossy, peppermint-striped stars and knowing you made them from scratch. They’re light, festive, and always bring a smile to my family’s faces. I highly encourage you to try your hand at these charming treats—you’ll enjoy the process almost as much as the delicious results. Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with peppermint-scented joy!

Peppermint Meringues Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 53 reviews

Author: Lauren
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 30 cookies (approximately 30 servings)
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delightfully light and airy peppermint meringues, perfect for holiday cookie trays. These crisp, subtly sweet treats are infused with refreshing peppermint flavor and decorated with festive red stripes, making them both visually appealing and deliciously simple to prepare.

Ingredients

For the Peppermint Meringues

3 large egg whites
¾ cup sugar
1 drop peppermint concentrate (or ½ tsp pure peppermint extract)
Red gel-paste food coloring

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the meringues from sticking and set a pastry bag fitted with a small open-star tip aside for piping.
Dissolve Sugar in Egg Whites: In a heatproof bowl suitable for an electric mixer, combine the egg whites and sugar. Place this bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir gently for 2 to 3 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture feels warm to the touch.
Whisk to Stiff Peaks: Transfer the bowl to an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, which means the mixture will stand up firmly when the whisk is lifted.
Add Peppermint Flavor: Gently fold in the peppermint concentrate or extract to infuse the meringue with a refreshing mint flavor.
Prepare Pastry Bag with Coloring: Using a clean small paintbrush, paint 2 or 3 stripes of red gel food coloring inside the pastry bag. This will add festive red stripes to the piped meringues.
Pipe Meringues onto Sheets: Fill the pastry bag with 1 to 2 cups of the meringue mixture. Pipe small star shapes about ¾ inch high onto the prepared baking sheets. Refill the bag as needed, repainting the stripes with food coloring each time to maintain the decorative effect.
Bake the Meringues: Bake the cookies for about 1 hour and 40 minutes, until they are crisp but not browned, ensuring a delicate texture.
Cool in Oven: After baking, turn the oven off and leave the meringues inside for an additional 30 minutes to cool gently and avoid cracks from temperature shock.
Final Cooling and Storage: Remove from the oven and let the meringues cool completely on the baking sheets placed on wire racks. Once cooled, store them in a sealed container to keep them crisp.

Notes

Light and airy peppermint meringues are the perfect addition to any holiday cookie tray!
They’re surprisingly easy to make and always a hit.
Ensure the sugar is fully dissolved in the egg whites before whisking to avoid grainy meringues.
Use gel-paste food coloring for vibrant stripes without altering the meringue’s texture.
Pipe small stars to ensure even baking and delicate texture.