There’s something utterly delightful about these light, crisp treats that just melt in your mouth. This Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe is a festive favorite of mine, combining a refreshing peppermint kick with a cloud-like texture that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a pretty, delicate treat.

The image shows a white bowl filled with meringue cookies, each with a swirl of red or green color on a white base. The meringues are shaped like small peaks with smooth, slightly glossy surfaces and a light, airy texture. Some have bright green swirls running from the base to the tip, while others have red swirls that look like soft stripes. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, and the background is blurred, focusing on the crisp details of the meringues in the bowl. 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

I adore peppermint meringues because they’re effortlessly elegant and surprisingly simple to make once you get the hang of it. These cookies bring a festive burst of flavor without being overly sweet, and they’re the kind of treat that guests always ask about.

Light & Airy Texture: These cookies have that perfect melt-in-your-mouth quality — crisp outside, tender inside.
Vibrant Peppermint Flavor: The peppermint extract creates a refreshing twist that’s not too strong but just right.
Beautiful Presentation: The red and green gel food coloring makes piping colorful stars so much fun and festive.
Great for Gifting: These cookies store well in airtight containers, making them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or gifts.

Round meringue cookies are spread out on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two colors: white and either red or green. The white part makes up about half of each cookie, and the colored part swirls up from the base, creating a twisted look on the top. The red sections range from light to dark red with a slightly shiny texture, while the green sections vary from bright to dark green with a glossy finish. The cookies have a smooth, slightly crackled surface and a small peak at the center of the swirl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe lies in simple ingredients that combine to create a lofty, flavorful cookie. Knowing what each does helps you get perfect results every time.

Flat lay of four whole uncracked brown eggs with smooth clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white caster sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding white vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white cornstarch powder, a few drops of red and green gel food coloring arranged as small blobs on a simple white ceramic plate, and a small white ceramic bowl with clear peppermint extract liquid 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: Make sure they’re at room temperature for maximum volume when you whip them.
White Vinegar: Stabilizes the egg whites so your meringue holds stiff peaks and stays fluffy.
Cornstarch: Prevents cracking and keeps the meringues crisp on the outside with soft centers.
Caster Sugar: Finer than granulated sugar, it dissolves easily to give the meringue its smooth texture.
Peppermint Extract: Adds that cool, festive flavor that’s signature to these cookies.
Gel Food Coloring: Use sparingly inside the piping bag for vibrant red and green streaks without affecting texture.

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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

While I stick to the classic peppermint and festive colors, you can totally personalize this recipe. Trust me, it’s fun to experiment and also helps you match the cookies to whatever occasion you’re celebrating.

Variation: I’ve tried swapping peppermint extract for vanilla or almond for different seasonal vibes — both are winners if you want something less minty.
Dietary Switch: For a sugar-free version, you might experiment with erythritol, but results can vary, so I recommend sticking with caster sugar for best texture.
Color Play: Playing with gel food coloring is so much fun — try pastel shades for baby showers or add edible glitter for sparkle.

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

Step 1: Whip Egg Whites to Foamy Perfection

Start by beating your room-temperature egg whites on high speed until they’re foamy and bubbly, around 30 seconds. You want good air incorporated here — this gives your cookies their light texture. Make sure there’s no yolk in the whites; even a tiny bit of fat can stop them from whipping up properly.

Step 2: Stabilize and Achieve Soft Peaks

Next, add the white vinegar and cornstarch, which help stabilize the meringue and keep cookies from cracking. Beat again until soft peaks form, about another minute — you should notice the mixture thickening slightly but not stiff yet.

Step 3: Sweeten Slowly & Add Peppermint

Now, very slowly add your caster sugar in a thin, steady stream while continuing to beat. This part takes a few minutes. Keep going until stiff, glossy peaks appear — the meringue should hold a sharp peak when you lift the whisk. Stir or beat in the peppermint extract gently at the end.

Step 4: Pipe Your Festive Stars

Before piping, draw a few thin lines of red gel food coloring inside your star-tip pastry bag, then fill half with the meringue mixture. Pipe 1-inch star shapes onto parchment-lined sheets. Repeat with the green gel color for the other half of the batter. This small step creates those pretty colorful streaks that make these cookies so special.

Step 5: Bake Low and Slow

Pop your trays into a 200°F (about 93°C) oven for roughly 80 minutes. Then, turn the oven off and leave your cookies inside for at least 4 hours—or even overnight. This gentle drying process is key to getting that perfect, crisp exterior without browning or burning. Don’t rush it!

Top Tip

I’ve made meringues many times, and what I’ve learned is that patience and temperature control are everything. When you bake them at this low temp and let them dry slowly, you get that ideal delicate crunch without a hint of chewiness or stickiness.

Slow Sugar Addition: Add sugar slowly to ensure it fully dissolves—this keeps the meringue silky and prevents graininess.
Dry Ingredients Help: Don’t skip that cornstarch—it prevents your cookies from cracking and gives the perfect texture.
Room Temperature Whites: Always make sure egg whites are at room temp for maximum volume.
Oven Check: Use an oven thermometer if you can; slight temperature changes can make or break these delicate cookies.

How to Serve Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

peppermint meringue cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a dusting of edible glitter during the holidays—it adds just the right sparkle without overpowering the peppermint flavor. Sometimes crushed candy canes sprinkled atop before baking add a lovely crunch and festive touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea. At holiday parties, I love serving them alongside rich chocolate truffles or a cheese board for a fun contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

One year I arranged them on a white platter in a large snowflake shape — it was a hit! You can also stack them in a clear jar with colorful ribbons for a charming edible gift that looks as good as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your peppermint meringue cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp. I find they stay fresh and perfect for up to a week, but honestly, they usually disappear faster!

Freezing

These meringues freeze well if you want to get ahead. Pop them in a sealed container or freezer bag, and when you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for a few hours. They retain their delicate texture beautifully.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat them, as they’re best fresh, but if needed, you can warm briefly in a very low oven (around 150°F) for a few minutes to crisp up any soft spots. Just don’t walk away — meringues can easily dry out or burn.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use granulated sugar instead of caster sugar in this recipe?

While caster sugar dissolves more easily and is preferred for the best texture, you can make your own by pulsing granulated sugar in a food processor until fine. Avoid powdered sugar as it will change the texture of the meringue.

Why is my meringue not forming stiff peaks?

Ensure your egg whites are completely free from any yolk and at room temperature. Also, avoid any oily residue in your bowl or utensils. Adding sugar too early may also prevent stiff peaks, so add it gradually after soft peaks form.

How long can I store peppermint meringue cookies?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies keep their texture and flavor for up to one week. Just make sure they’re fully cooled and dry before storing to avoid moisture buildup.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time for a holiday party?

Absolutely! They’re perfect for making ahead. You can even freeze them for longer storage. Just be sure to store well to keep them crisp, and bring them to room temperature before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, not just because of how pretty and delicious they are, but because making them reminds me of cozy times spent with family during the holidays. I love that even though they look fancy, they’re quite approachable—and I’m sure you’ll enjoy making and sharing them just as much as I do. Give it a try, and soon you’ll have your own batch of festive treats to brighten any day!