There's something magical about the crisp, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with a refreshing hint of mint—these cookies just scream festive fun. This Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe is a delightful way to add a little sparkle to your holiday baking or anytime you want a light, airy treat with a peppermint twist.

The image shows a white bowl full of meringue cookies, each shaped like a small peak with swirling red and green colors on a white base. Some meringues have red streaks blending smoothly into the white, while others have green streaks doing the same, creating a festive mix of colors. The meringues have a smooth yet slightly textured surface, with a slight shine under the light. The bowl is placed on a surface with a white marbled texture, with some red and white peppermint candies scattered around it in soft focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I whip up these peppermint meringue cookies, the kitchen smells like a winter wonderland, and the kids can’t stop nibbling on their light sweetness. It's one of those recipes that feels fancy but is surprisingly straightforward when you know the little tricks.

Light & Crisp Texture: These cookies are delightfully airy, practically dissolving on your tongue.
Festive Peppermint Flavor: The peppermint extract brings a refreshing zing without overpowering the cookie’s delicate sweetness.
Simple Ingredients: Just a handful of pantry staples come together to create a show-stopping cookie.
Pretty Presentation: The red and green swirls inside the piping bag add that extra holiday charm you’ll adore sharing.

The image shows several meringue cookies arranged randomly on a flat surface with a white marbled texture. Each cookie has a single swirl with two colors on their top half — either red and white or green and white. The cookies have a light, airy texture with gentle ridges and peaks, and they look crisp and delicate. The red swirls are a mix of bright and darker red shades, giving a painted effect, while the green swirls range from bright to dark green, also with a painted texture. The rest of the cookie is pure white, creating a strong contrast with the colored swirls, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect texture and flavor. Plus, a few notes on picking the right ones can make all the difference.

Flat lay of four whole uncracked brown egg whites in shell, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white caster sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl of clear white vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of clear peppermint extract, and two delicate streaks of red and green gel food coloring on a simple white ceramic surface arranged symmetrically, placed 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

Egg Whites: Room temperature is key here—you get more volume and a better whip when the whites aren’t cold straight from the fridge.
White Vinegar: It stabilizes the egg whites to help your meringue hold its shape and gives a tender finish.
Cornstarch: This might surprise you, but it helps prevent cracking and keeps the cookies light and crisp on the outside while slightly chewy inside.
Caster Sugar: This fine sugar dissolves perfectly into the egg whites, enabling the meringue to be glossy and stiff. If you can’t find it, pulse regular sugar in the food processor to make your own—just avoid powdered sugar as it changes the texture.
Peppermint Extract: A little goes a long way! It infuses the cookies with that festive coolness without being too strong.
Gel Food Coloring: Use gel for vibrant colors that don’t mess with the meringue’s consistency, perfect for that holiday vibe.

📝

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.

Make It Your Way

I love to play around with the colors and sometimes add a drop of chocolate or almond extract for a twist. Feel free to customize the peppermint intensity or try swapping the red and green for your favorite colors to match any season or celebration.

Variation: One year, I added a tiny sprinkle of finely crushed candy canes on top right before baking—it gave a cool crunch and made the cookies even more festive!
Allergy-Friendly: Since these cookies are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, they’re great for most diets. Just ensure your food coloring and extracts are allergen-safe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whip the Egg Whites to Foamy Perfection

Start by beating your room temperature egg whites on high speed until they’re nice and foamy, about 30 seconds. You want that airy base before adding anything else—trust me, this step sets the stage for fluffy meringue fluffiness you’ll adore.

Step 2: Add Vinegar and Cornstarch to Stabilize

Now, pour in the white vinegar and sprinkle the cornstarch, then beat again until soft peaks form, roughly one minute. This combo prevents cracking and helps your meringue hold up beautifully when baked low and slow.

Step 3: Sweeten and Flavor with Care

Slowly drizzle in the caster sugar in a steady, thin stream while beating on medium-high speed. Patience here means glossy, stiff peaks instead of a grainy mess. Once combined, add the peppermint extract and continue beating for about 4 minutes until stiff and shiny peaks form. The difference is like night and day!

Step 4: Get Creative with Your Piping

This is where the fun colors come in! Draw lines inside your pastry bag with red gel food coloring, then fill it with half the meringue mixture and pipe one-inch star-shaped cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with green for the second batch. The swirls add a festive touch you’ll love showing off.

Step 5: Bake Low & Slow

Pop them in a 200°F oven for about 80 minutes. Then turn the oven off and leave those babies inside for 4 hours or overnight. This gentle drying process is the secret to that perfectly crisp exterior and delicate chew inside without browning.

Top Tip

After baking these peppermint meringue cookies a handful of times, I learned the little details that make all the difference for success.

Egg Whites at Room Temperature: I always take my eggs out 30 minutes ahead to warm up for a better whip and fluffier cookies.
Slow Sugar Addition: Adding the caster sugar slowly is key. If you dump it in too fast, your mixture won’t gain the stiffness needed.
Oven Temperature Check: I use an oven thermometer to make sure it doesn’t run hot; too much heat ruins those delicate cookies.
Don’t Skip the Overnight Dry: Leaving them in the turned-off oven for hours ensures the cookies dry through without cracking or browning.

How to Serve Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

peppermint meringue cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple—sometimes a tiny dusting of powdered sugar or a candy cane piece on top before baking adds an extra festive sparkle. Plus, they look so charming on a holiday cookie platter with a little sprig of fresh mint nearby.

Side Dishes

These peppermint meringue cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or peppermint tea. I’ve also served them alongside a rich chocolate tart for a holiday dessert spread that’s always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like presenting these cookies nestled into clear glass jars with red and green ribbons tied around the lids. It’s a simple but elegant look that makes gifting or displaying them extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store these peppermint meringue cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep their crispiness. I’ve found they stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, though they’re best enjoyed within the first couple of days for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Freezing

If you want to store them longer, freezing is your friend. Place cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temp—they keep their texture surprisingly well.

Reheating

To freshen them up, pop the cookies in a warm oven (around 250°F) for 5 to 10 minutes. This gently revives their crispness without melting or softening.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use powdered sugar instead of caster sugar?

Powdered sugar isn’t a good substitute because it contains cornstarch which affects the meringue’s texture, making it denser and less glossy. If you can’t find caster sugar, simply blitz granulated sugar in a food processor to make a finer version that works just right.

Why is my meringue not stiffening?

Stiffness can be tricky if there’s any egg yolk contamination or if sugar is added too early. Make sure to separate your eggs carefully, use room temperature whites, and add sugar slowly after the mixture is foamy to get those perfect stiff peaks.

Can I use artificial peppermint flavoring?

You can, but I prefer pure peppermint extract for its natural, clean flavor that shines through without any artificial aftertaste. If you do use artificial flavoring, adjust the amount carefully to avoid overpowering the cookie.

How do I prevent meringue cookies from cracking?

Adding cornstarch and baking at low temperature helps prevent cracking. Also, letting the cookies dry gradually in the turned-off oven overnight ensures they don’t shrink or crack from sudden temperature changes.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my holiday favorites because it brings so much joy with so little fuss. I hope you’ll find the same delight in making and sharing them as I do. It’s one of those treats that feels like a little kitchen magic, perfect for cozy moments and celebrations alike. Give it a try—you'll be amazed at how something so airy can feel so special!