Ingredients
Scale
- 4 egg whites at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- pinch cream of tartar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- green food coloring
- multi color sprinkles
- star sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 200°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Trust me, this step makes cleanup so easy (and you’ll thank yourself later).
- Whip it good: In your mixer bowl, add the egg whites, a pinch of salt, and cream of tartar. Whip on medium speed until soft peaks form—this takes a few minutes, so be patient. The peaks should gently fold over when you lift the whisk.
- Go green: Add your green food coloring at this stage. Start with a little—you can always add more! Mix until the color is evenly distributed.
- Sweeten the deal: Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whip. It’s tempting to rush, but go slow so the sugar dissolves fully (no gritty meringue here!). You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture is glossy and holds stiff peaks.
- Pipe the trees: Transfer the meringue to your piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe little trees onto your parchment-lined baking sheets. The fun part? They don’t have to be perfect—each one can have its own personality!
- Decorate: Sprinkle your “trees” with multi-colored sprinkles to mimic ornaments, and top each one with a star sprinkle. This is where kids can really get involved.
- Bake low and slow: Place the cookies in your preheated oven and bake for 2 hours. Don’t peek—they need consistent heat to set properly. Once the time’s up, turn off the oven, crack the door slightly, and let them sit for another 2 hours. This step ensures they dry out completely without cracking.
Notes
Serving and presentation tips
These cookies are show-stoppers all on their own, but if you want to make them part of a dessert spread, arrange them on a platter surrounded by mini candy canes or holiday chocolates. For extra sparkle, dust a little edible glitter over the top. They also make adorable edible place cards—just write names on them with edible markers!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dessert