Crispy Meringue Kisses
These crispy meringue kisses are light, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for holiday baking. With a crisp exterior and a soft center, they’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and ideal for gifting or festive gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 48 kisses (about 16 servings of 3 kisses each) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) superfine granulated sugar (caster sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Gel food coloring (red and green, or colors of choice)
- Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225°F (110°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Separate 4 large eggs, placing whites in a clean, dry bowl. Let egg whites come to room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- Add egg whites and a pinch of salt to mixer bowl. Beat on medium speed until foamy (about 2 minutes). Sprinkle in cream of tartar.
- Increase speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks form.
- With mixer running, add sugar a tablespoon at a time. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form (about 7–10 minutes).
- Add vanilla extract and almond extract (if using), mixing just until combined.
- If using colors, gently divide meringue into bowls. Fold in gel coloring with a toothpick for streaks, or whisk for solid color.
- Spoon meringue into a piping bag fitted with a star or round tip. Pipe kisses onto parchment-lined sheets, about 1 inch apart and 1½ inches tall.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 60–75 minutes. Do not open the oven door.
- Turn off oven and let kisses cool inside for 1 hour.
- Sprinkle with edible glitter or colored sugar if desired.
- Let cool completely before storing or serving.
Notes
Use room temperature eggs for best volume. Superfine sugar prevents gritty texture—pulse regular sugar in a food processor if needed. Clean equipment thoroughly to avoid deflating meringue. Avoid baking on humid days for crisp results. Store in airtight container up to 2 weeks. For nut-free, omit almond extract. For vegan, substitute aquafaba for egg whites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 kisses
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 8
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Protein: 0.5
Keywords: meringue kisses, Christmas cookies, holiday baking, gluten-free dessert, dairy-free treat, easy meringue, festive cookies, edible gifts