Julia Koch
Looking for the perfect sweet treat to charm your holiday guests? These Festive Meringue Christmas Trees are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Light, crisp, and kissed with a touch of holiday magic, they make for a whimsical addition to any dessert table or cookie tray.
The texture is melt-in-your-mouth airy, and the pale green swirls—topped with golden sprinkles or stars—evoke the spirit of the season. They’re surprisingly easy to make, require just a few ingredients, and can be prepped well in advance. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or building an edible centerpiece, these trees will absolutely shine.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
Creating these meringue trees is more about technique than complexity, and having the right tools ensures success every time.
Electric Mixer (stand or handheld): Meringue relies on perfectly whipped egg whites, so an electric mixer is essential. It creates the stiff peaks needed for stable, pipeable meringue.
Piping Bag with Large Star Tip: To get the signature tree shape, you’ll need a piping bag fitted with a star tip (like Wilton 1M or 2D). It’s key to achieving the tree-like swirls and height.
Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper: Even baking and easy removal are a must. Parchment paper prevents sticking and helps the trees keep their shape.
Oven (set at low temp): These are baked low and slow to dry them out rather than brown. Your oven should hold a steady 200°F (95°C).
Food Coloring and Edible Decorations: Green gel food coloring creates the festive hue without thinning the meringue. Finish with gold sugar stars, edible glitter, or sprinkles for a magical touch.
Ingredients for the Festive Meringue Christmas Trees
Egg Whites: These form the base of the meringue and need to be at room temperature for optimal volume. Make sure no yolk sneaks in—even a drop can prevent proper whipping.
Granulated Sugar: Essential for structure and sweetness. It stabilizes the egg whites and adds that glossy sheen.
Cream of Tartar: A small but mighty ingredient that helps stabilize the egg whites, ensuring the meringue holds stiff peaks.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle warmth and flavor to the otherwise neutral meringue.
Green Gel Food Coloring: A concentrated gel is best because it won’t alter the meringue’s consistency while achieving that bright tree-green hue.
Edible Gold Decorations: Think gold star toppers, metallic balls, or edible glitter to bring each tree to life with festive charm.
How To Make the Festive Meringue Christmas Trees
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 200°F (95°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. This low temperature ensures the meringues dry out without browning.
Step 2: Whip the Egg Whites
In a clean, grease-free bowl, use your electric mixer to beat the egg whites on medium speed until they turn frothy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form.
Step 3: Add Sugar Gradually
Increase the speed to high and add the sugar one tablespoon at a time. This step is key—slowly incorporating the sugar ensures a stable and glossy meringue. Keep whipping until stiff peaks form.
Step 4: Color and Flavor
Add in the vanilla extract and a few drops of green gel food coloring. Gently mix until the color is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Pipe the Trees
Transfer the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe spiral swirls onto the parchment-lined sheet, starting wide at the base and tapering to a point. Leave space between each tree.
Step 6: Decorate
Add your gold sprinkles or edible stars before baking. They’ll set into the meringue as it dries.
Step 7: Bake Low and Slow
Place in the oven and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meringues are completely dry to the touch. Turn off the oven and let them cool inside with the door slightly ajar for an hour to prevent cracking.
How to Serve and Store Festive Meringue Christmas Trees
Serve these festive trees as a charming finish to your holiday meal or as part of a winter dessert table. Their visual appeal makes them perfect for gifting in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon.
To store, place the cooled meringue trees in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep them in a dry area away from humidity, which can cause them to become sticky or chewy. Properly stored, they will stay crisp for up to two weeks.
Avoid refrigeration, as the moisture will soften the meringue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my meringue won’t reach stiff peaks?
This usually means there’s grease or egg yolk in the mix. Make sure your bowl and beaters are completely clean, and separate eggs carefully.
Can I make these meringues in advance?
Absolutely! These trees keep beautifully for up to two weeks in an airtight container, making them perfect for early holiday prep.
Do I need to use cream of tartar?
Yes, it helps stabilize the egg whites. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar.
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
Gel is preferred because it doesn’t affect the consistency. Liquid coloring can thin out the meringue, making it hard to pipe.
How do I keep the trees from cracking?
Letting them cool gradually in the oven with the door slightly ajar is key. Sudden changes in temperature can cause cracking.
Can I use a different shape tip?
Yes, but a large star tip gives the most tree-like appearance. You can experiment with round or French tips for different textures.
Want More Holiday Dessert Ideas?
You might also enjoy my No Bake Mini Banana Cream Pies, which are equally festive and simple to prepare. For another eye-catching treat, check out the Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars, perfect for layering rich flavors and textures.
If you lean toward elegant handhelds, the Mini Cinnamon Roll Cheesecakes deliver comfort and class in every bite. And if you’re after bright, fruity options, the Irresistible Blueberry Lime Cheesecake Cupcakes are a seasonal delight.
Want something super easy and crowd-pleasing? The 2-Ingredient Pineapple Cake might be your new go-to.
Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out
You can save this to your holiday dessert boards for later. Just click the Pin button.
If you bake these meringue trees, I’d love to know how they turned out. Did you get creative with colors or toppers? Leave a comment below—I always enjoy seeing your holiday baking twists.
You can also follow along for more daily recipes and ideas on my Pinterest: LadyPlate on Pinterest.
Festive Meringue Christmas Trees
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 24 meringue trees
Description
Whimsical and light, these Festive Meringue Christmas Trees are the perfect make-ahead holiday dessert. Crisp on the outside, airy on the inside, and finished with edible golden stars, they bring charm and sweetness to your winter celebrations.
Ingredients
3 large egg whites
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring (a few drops)
Gold star sprinkles or edible glitter (for decoration)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy.
3. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form.
4. Increase the mixer speed to high and add sugar one tablespoon at a time until stiff, glossy peaks form.
5. Add vanilla extract and green gel food coloring; gently fold to combine evenly.
6. Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
7. Pipe tree-shaped swirls onto the baking sheets, leaving space between each one.
8. Decorate with gold star sprinkles or edible glitter before baking.
9. Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours until completely dry to the touch.
10. Turn off oven and let meringues cool inside with the door ajar for 1 hour to avoid cracks.
11. Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Make sure the mixing bowl and beaters are completely grease-free for best meringue volume.
Use gel coloring instead of liquid to keep the meringue thick and stable.
Let the meringues cool inside the oven to prevent cracking from sudden temperature change.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tree
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
