Name: Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large egg whites; ½ tsp lemon juice; 1⅓ cup powdered sugar; Red gel food coloring; Green gel food coloring; Christmas sprinkles, optional

There’s something magical about a delicate, crisp cookie that melts on your tongue — that’s exactly what makes the Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe such a holiday treasure. Light, airy, and charmingly colorful, these wreath-shaped treats are as fun to make as they are to eat.

A stack of five bright green wreath-shaped cookies with ruffled swirls stands on a white marbled surface, each layer decorated with small round sprinkles in red, white, green, and black. The cookies have a smooth, slightly textured surface with a few red accents that look like small berries made of the same dough. The edges of each wreath show distinct, wavy ridges, and the layers are evenly stacked but not perfectly aligned, creating a playful, festive look. In the background, there is a soft focus on a container with more of the same cookies and a pink towel with a white pattern. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I piped these festive meringue wreath cookies — I was impressed at how impressive they looked, yet how straightforward they actually were to make. If you’re looking for a festive treat that's both visually stunning and light on the palate, these cookies hit the mark perfectly.

Delightfully Light: They’re airy and melt in your mouth, making them a perfect contrast to heavier holiday sweets.
Colorful and Customizable: You can play with holiday colors and even add sprinkles to put your own spin on the wreath design.
Satisfies the Festive Mood: Their wreath shape is so charming, they almost double as decoration before you eat them.
Great for Gifting: These cookies package beautifully and make a thoughtful, homemade gift that everyone appreciates.

The image shows a close-up of green meringue cookies shaped like small wreaths with smooth, swirled layers forming a ring. Each wreath has a light texture with a matte finish and is decorated with tiny round red, white, and green sprinkles scattered evenly on the surface. There are three small red meringue berries and two green leaf shapes grouped together on one side of the wreath as a decoration. The cookies are placed on a white rectangular plate, set on a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe mainly relies on a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create meringue’s classic airy texture and festive flair. Using quality ingredients and prepping carefully make all the difference in getting those perfect peaks and vibrant colors.

Flat lay of three whole large eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh lemon juice, another small white ceramic bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, two separate small white ceramic bowls each containing vibrant red and green gel-like food coloring, and a scattering of colorful Christmas sprinkles arranged beside the bowls, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Egg whites: Fresh, cold eggs separated carefully to ensure no yolk gets in — this is key for stiff peaks and stable meringue.
Lemon juice: A little acid helps stabilize the egg whites so they hold their shape while baking.
Powdered sugar: Slowly folded in to sweeten and add structure, the powdered form dissolves easier than granulated sugar and keeps the texture silky.
Red and green gel food coloring: Gel colors are vibrant and won’t thin out the mixture, allowing you to pipe beautiful, bold wreaths without affecting texture.
Christmas sprinkles (optional): For that extra bit of holiday sparkle — just sprinkle before baking so they stick.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to get creative by experimenting with different piping tips and adding sprinkles. These little personal touches make the wreath cookies feel extra special, and it’s fun to see how your own style emerges!

Variation: One holiday, I swapped the green food coloring for a pale mint shade and used edible gold dust on the berries — it looked stunning and tasted just as good.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep your tools and preheat

I always start by preheating the oven to 300°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This way, everything’s ready when my meringue is perfect — no waiting, no rushing.

Step 2: Whip up the egg whites until soft peaks

Using a dry mixing bowl, I beat cold egg whites and lemon juice on medium speed until they form soft peaks. You’ll see the mixture start to hold slightly when you lift your whisk. Getting this right makes all the difference, so be patient here.

Step 3: Add sugar gradually and beat to stiff peaks

Here’s a key tip: add powdered sugar slowly, about a third at a time. Keep beating past the point where the sugar dissolves and the meringue becomes glossy and holds stiff peaks. This can take up to 10 minutes, so don’t rush — the payoff is worth it!

Step 4: Separate, color, and fold gently

I scoop about half a cup of the mixture into a small bowl for red coloring, folding it in gently to avoid deflating the meringue. The rest gets green coloring carefully folded in too. The folding step is where you need a light hand — keep it gentle and slow.

Step 5: Pipe flowers and berries into wreath shapes

For the wreath shape, I use a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #199 tip for green flowers piped in circles, and a smaller Wilton #4 tip for red holly berries placed between flowers. If you want sprinkles, now’s the time to add them — they stick better before baking.

Step 6: Bake in batches, don’t overcrowd

I bake the wreaths for 30-40 minutes until they’re dry to the touch. Overloading the oven can trap moisture and mess with the drying process, so bake one sheet at a time. If you’re pressed for time, the overnight low-temp baking method works wonders for firm, crisp cookies.

Step 7: Cool completely and enjoy!

Once out of the oven, I leave my wreath cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet before handling them. They’re delicate, so cooling helps them firm up perfectly while you get ready to share or package them.

Top Tip

Making meringue cookies might seem intimidating at first, but trust me, these tips will boost your confidence and success rate when baking the Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe.

Cold Egg Whites First: I always separate my eggs right out of the fridge and remove yolks carefully to ensure fluffy peaks later.
Room Temperature Beat: Let your egg whites sit and come to room temp before whipping — it helps them reach stiff peaks faster.
Slow Sugar Addition: Adding powdered sugar bit by bit while beating is a game changer for smooth, glossy meringue.
Gentle Folding: When adding color, fold the mixture softly to keep all the airy goodness intact.

How to Serve Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe

meringue wreath cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling on red and green nonpareils or tiny silver dragées before baking — it adds a sparkly, elegant touch that everyone notices. Optional but highly recommended if you want that wow factor.

Side Dishes

These wreath cookies pair beautifully with a cup of rich hot cocoa or a spiced holiday tea. They’re also a nice light finish after a rich meal if you want a sweet touch without feeling too stuffed.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging the wreaths on a festive tiered tray layered with pine sprigs, or wrap a set in clear boxes tied with rustic twine for gifts. I once even lightly dusted mine with powdered sugar for a snowy effect — guests loved it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your meringue wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to preserve their crisp texture. I’ve found they last about 3-5 days before starting to lose their delicate crunch.

Freezing

While these cookies don’t freeze well once baked (they can become sticky or lose texture), you can freeze the leftover unbaked meringue piped on sheets. Just freeze solid, then store in a freezer-safe container and bake straight from frozen when ready.

Reheating

I don’t usually reheat meringue wreath cookies since they’re best enjoyed crisp and cool. If needed, a quick 5-minute warm in a low oven (250°F) can help revive a slightly soft cookie without melting it.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know when the meringue has reached stiff peaks?

You’ll know the meringue has stiff peaks when, after lifting the whisk, the peaks stand straight up without drooping. The mixture will also be glossy and smooth. This is important to ensure the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Can I use granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar?

Powdered sugar dissolves more easily and keeps the meringue smooth, so it’s preferred. Using granulated sugar can lead to a grainy texture and might prevent your meringue from reaching the right consistency.

What’s the best way to add color without deflating the meringue?

Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to avoid thinning the meringue. Fold the color in gently using a spatula rather than stirring vigorously. This helps maintain the airy texture.

Can I make the meringue wreath cookies ahead of time?

Yes! These cookies can be baked a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Just avoid humid environments as moisture can soften the cookies.

Final Thoughts

The Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday kitchen — they’re pretty, delicious, and so satisfying to bake and share. If you’ve been on the fence about trying meringue cookies, give this recipe a go. With a bit of patience and care, you’ll have gorgeous wreath cookies that add a sweet sparkle to your festivities — and maybe even a new family favorite.