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Festive Meringue Christmas Trees

Festive Meringue Christmas Trees
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Festive Meringue Christmas Trees are light, crunchy, and visually stunning holiday treats that combine the delicate sweetness of meringue with festive decorations. Made with simple ingredients like egg whites and sugar, these piped and baked meringue confections add a whimsical burst of joy to any holiday dessert table. Perfect for make-ahead preparation and customizable with colors and flavors, they bring sparkle and cheer to your celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 large egg whites (room temperature)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar or 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Green food coloring (or desired colors)
  • Optional flavor extracts: 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond, or peppermint extract

Decorations

  • Decorative sprinkles (edible glitter, nonpareils, sugar pearls)
  • Edible glue or melted white chocolate (for adhering decorations)

Optional Variations

  • Melted dark or white chocolate for drizzling
  • Finely chopped pistachios or toasted almonds
  • Alternative extracts such as orange or peppermint
  • For vegan option: substitute egg whites with aquafaba (chickpea water)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Tools and Oven: Preheat the oven to 225°F (110°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Fit a piping bag with a star tip or round tip for shaping meringue trees.
  2. Whip the Egg Whites: Beat the egg whites with cream of tartar or lemon juice to stabilize. Gradually add granulated sugar while whisking continuously until you achieve stiff, glossy peaks that hold their shape firmly.
  3. Add Coloring and Flavor: Gently fold in your chosen food coloring and any optional flavor extracts like vanilla or peppermint, taking care not to deflate the meringue but ensuring even distribution.
  4. Pipe the Christmas Trees: Pipe meringue onto the parchment-lined sheets in layered conical shapes resembling Christmas trees, starting wider at the base and tapering to a point. You may layer meringue for added dimension.
  5. Bake Low and Slow: Bake for 1 to 2 hours at 225°F (110°C) depending on size, allowing meringues to dry out without browning. Turn off the oven and let meringues cool inside to dry further and become crisp.
  6. Decorate with Festive Sprinkles: Once completely cool, lightly brush meringues with edible glue or a little melted white chocolate and add decorative sprinkles, edible glitter, or sugar pearls to complete the festive look.

Notes

  • Use eggs at room temperature for better volume and whipping ease.
  • Add sugar gradually to achieve a smooth, glossy meringue without graininess.
  • Use fresh egg whites for optimal texture and stability.
  • Bake at low temperatures to crisp meringues without browning.
  • Avoid making meringues on very humid days to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: meringue, Christmas trees, holiday dessert, festive dessert, crunchy meringue, holiday treats, gluten free dessert

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/festive-meringue-christmas-trees/