If you’re looking for a holiday dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, these Holiday Meringue Christmas Trees are the perfect choice. These airy, crisp meringue trees are a whimsical and festive treat, making them ideal for holiday parties, gift-giving, or as a charming addition to your dessert spread. With their light texture, sweet flavor, and fun decorating possibilities, they’ll be the star of any holiday gathering.
What makes these meringue trees so special is their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with the festive look that will surely delight your guests. The meringue base is simple to make with just a few ingredients, and you can decorate the trees with colorful sprinkles, candy, or edible glitter to make them look extra festive. Whether served individually or as part of a larger dessert table, these meringue trees are guaranteed to add a touch of magic to your celebrations.
I first made these Holiday Meringue Christmas Trees as a way to add a bit of fun and elegance to my holiday dessert table. They turned out to be so charming and delicious that they’ve become a yearly tradition. The lightness of the meringue combined with the festive colors makes them a perfect holiday treat, and I’m sure they’ll become a favorite of yours too!
Why These Holiday Meringue Christmas Trees Will Be Your New Favorite
- Whimsical and fun: These adorable meringue trees are as fun to make as they are to eat, and they add a festive touch to any holiday spread.
- Light and airy: The meringue has a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s sweet but not overwhelming, making them the perfect light treat after a big holiday meal.
- Customizable: You can decorate these trees with your favorite holiday sprinkles, candy, or even edible glitter for a personalized touch.
- Easy to make: Despite looking intricate, these meringue trees are simple to make with just a few basic ingredients.
- Perfect for gifting: These little meringue trees make a beautiful homemade gift for friends, family, or holiday party hosts.
Ingredients
For the Meringue Trees:
- 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips or colored sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
For the Decorations:
- Edible glitter, colored sprinkles, or small candies (such as mini M&Ms, silver balls, or candy stars)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
How to Make Holiday Meringue Christmas Trees
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
- Prepare the meringue mixture: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar, a tablespoon at a time, and continue to beat until the meringue is glossy and stiff peaks form (about 5-7 minutes). Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add food coloring: Once the meringue is ready, divide it into a few bowls if you want to make different colored trees, or add a few drops of green food coloring to the entire batch and gently fold it in until the color is uniform.
- Shape the meringue trees: Transfer the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (such as a Wilton 1M). On the prepared baking sheet, pipe the meringue into tree shapes by starting at the base and working your way up in a spiral motion, making each layer slightly smaller than the one below it to form a cone shape. You can make the trees as large or small as you like, depending on your preference.
- Bake the meringues: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the meringues are dry to the touch and can easily lift off the parchment paper. Turn off the oven and let the meringues cool inside the oven with the door slightly ajar for an additional hour.
- Decorate the trees: Once the meringue trees have cooled completely, decorate them by gently pressing mini chocolate chips or sprinkles into the meringue for ornaments. You can also dust the trees with powdered sugar or add edible glitter for extra sparkle.
- Serve and enjoy: Arrange the meringue trees on a festive plate or tray, and serve them at your holiday gathering. Enjoy the light, airy sweetness of these whimsical treats!
Tips
- Room temperature egg whites: For the best results, make sure your egg whites are at room temperature before beating them. This will help them whip up to their full volume.
- Don’t open the oven: Avoid opening the oven while baking the meringues, as this can cause them to crack or collapse. Let them cool slowly in the oven instead.
- Customize your decorations: Feel free to get creative with the decorations! You can use candy canes, gumdrops, or even edible glitter for a sparkling effect.
- Make them in advance: Meringue trees can be made a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
Substitutions and Variations
- Different colors: While green is traditional, you can make these trees in any color you like! Try red, blue, or even rainbow-colored meringue for a fun twist.
- Flavor variations: Add a little peppermint extract to the meringue for a minty flavor or swap vanilla for almond extract for a different taste.
- Mini trees: Make smaller, bite-sized trees by using a smaller piping tip or piping individual trees on a baking sheet.
Make a Healthier Version
- Reduced sugar: You can use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Monk fruit to reduce the sugar content, though it may affect the texture slightly.
- Vegan version: For a vegan version, you can use aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) in place of egg whites. Beat it with cream of tartar and sugar just as you would egg whites.
Closing
And there you have it! These Holiday Meringue Christmas Trees are not only a delightful treat for your taste buds, but they’ll also brighten up your holiday celebrations with their whimsical look. Light, airy, and perfect for the season, these meringue trees are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. Whether you’re adding them to your dessert table or gifting them to loved ones, they’re sure to add a festive touch to any occasion. Don’t forget to let us know how your meringue trees turn out, and check out more of our delicious holiday recipes for even more festive inspiration!
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I store meringue Christmas trees?
Store the meringue trees in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage. - Can I make these trees larger?
Yes, you can pipe larger trees, but keep in mind that larger trees will take longer to bake and may require more time to cool. - Can I make meringue shapes other than trees?
Absolutely! You can pipe meringue into any shape you like, such as stars, snowflakes, or even mini Santa hats. - Why did my meringues crack during baking?
Cracking can happen if the oven temperature is too high or if the meringue is over-beaten. Be sure to bake at a low temperature and avoid opening the oven during baking. - How can I make these more festive?
Decorate the meringue trees with festive candies like gumdrops, mini candy canes, or edible glitter for a fun and colorful look. - Can I make these in advance?
Yes, meringue trees can be made ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve or give them away. - Can I make these trees with aquafaba instead of egg whites?
Yes! Aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) can be used as an egg white substitute to make vegan meringues. Just whip it with cream of tartar and sugar in the same way. - Can I add flavor to the meringue?
Yes, you can add different extracts like peppermint, almond, or hazelnut to the meringue for a unique flavor twist. - What can I use if I don’t have cream of tartar?
You can substitute cream of tartar with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar for each egg white. - How do I prevent the meringue from sticking to the parchment paper?
Make sure to use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent the meringues from sticking. Avoid using wax paper, as it may cause sticking. - Can I use other decorations besides sprinkles?
Absolutely! You can decorate with mini chocolate chips, silver balls, or even dust the trees with edible glitter for an extra sparkle. - Can I make these meringues crunchy instead of chewy?
To make the meringues crunchier, bake them a little longer and let them cool completely in the oven.
Holiday Meringue Christmas Trees
4
30
minutes40
minutes300
kcal0
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
For the Meringue Trees:
3 large 3 egg whites, at room temperature
1/2 tsp 1/2 cream of tartar
1 cup 1 granulated sugar
1 tsp 1 vanilla extract
Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
1/4 cup 1/4 mini chocolate chips or colored sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
For the Decorations:
Edible glitter, colored sprinkles, or small candies (such as mini M&Ms, silver balls, or candy stars)
Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
- Prepare the meringue mixture: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar, a tablespoon at a time, and continue to beat until the meringue is glossy and stiff peaks form (about 5-7 minutes). Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add food coloring: Once the meringue is ready, divide it into a few bowls if you want to make different colored trees, or add a few drops of green food coloring to the entire batch and gently fold it in until the color is uniform.
- Shape the meringue trees: Transfer the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (such as a Wilton 1M). On the prepared baking sheet, pipe the meringue into tree shapes by starting at the base and working your way up in a spiral motion, making each layer slightly smaller than the one below it to form a cone shape. You can make the trees as large or small as you like, depending on your preference.
- Bake the meringues: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the meringues are dry to the touch and can easily lift off the parchment paper. Turn off the oven and let the meringues cool inside the oven with the door slightly ajar for an additional hour.
- Decorate the trees: Once the meringue trees have cooled completely, decorate them by gently pressing mini chocolate chips or sprinkles into the meringue for ornaments. You can also dust the trees with powdered sugar or add edible glitter for extra sparkle.
- Serve and enjoy: Arrange the meringue trees on a festive plate or tray, and serve them at your holiday gathering. Enjoy the light, airy sweetness of these whimsical treats!
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