Name: Colorful 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

Bright, delicate, and festive—all the reasons I adore this treat! The Colorful Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe is a joyful way to add whimsy and crunch to your holiday baking. These light-as-air beauties not only look stunning but are surprisingly simple once you get the hang of the technique.

The image shows a tall stack of six bright green meringue rings with a textured, ruffled swirl design. Each ring has a smooth but slightly crinkled surface with piped star shapes along the edges. Tiny round sprinkles in red, white, and green are scattered across all layers, adding a festive touch. There are small red meringue decorations placed sporadically on the rings. The stack is set on a white marbled surface with a blurred red, white, and green patterned box in the background, enhancing the holiday feel. 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 Colorful Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Colorful Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Colorful Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From my first attempt, these meringue wreath cookies stole my heart—and my freezer space! What makes them a standout is how festive they look paired with their melt-in-your-mouth texture. Once I learned the tricks to whipping perfect meringue, they became an annual favorite I’m excited to share with you.

Visually Stunning: The colorful wreath design pops with bright red and green swirls, perfect for holiday cookie platters.
Light & Airy Texture: These cookies have a delicate crunch that dissolves without any heaviness.
Easy to Customize: You can play with colors and sprinkles to make them your own festive masterpiece.
Great for Gift Giving: They keep well in airtight containers, making them perfect for sharing holiday cheer.

The image shows a bright green wreath-shaped cookie with one main thick layer formed by soft swirls of smooth, light green dough. The swirls create an open center ring, and the cookie is decorated with tiny round sprinkles in red, white, and dark green scattered all over. On the bottom left side of the wreath, there are three shiny red berry shapes made of dough and two small green leaf shapes, giving a festive look. The cookie sits on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface with more similar green wreath cookies blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that signature meringue crunch and vibrant color. Fresh, cold eggs make all the difference in whipping those whites to glossy perfection, while the powdered sugar stabilizes and sweetens the mix just right.

Flat lay of three whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing vivid red gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl with bright green gel food coloring, and a small pile of colorful Christmas sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically and balanced 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 and cold for best volume and stability when whipping.
Lemon juice: Adds acidity, helping to stabilize the egg whites and improve texture.
Powdered sugar: Dissolves easily, keeping the meringue silky and glossy.
Red gel food coloring: Provides vibrant, festive pops of color without altering texture.
Green gel food coloring: Perfect for that signature wreath hue, easy to fold in gently.
Christmas sprinkles (optional): Adds extra festive charm—remember to add before baking!

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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 mixing up the reds and greens depending on my mood or occasion, sometimes even throwing in a splash of gold luster dust for extra sparkle. You can swap out sprinkles for crushed peppermint bits or edible glitter to give your wreaths a personal twist that's sure to impress.

Variation: One Christmas, I mixed shades of pink and teal instead of traditional red and green—talk about a conversation starter at the cookie exchange!
Dietary Adjustments: Since these are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, they’re ideal for sharing with friends who have allergies.
Seasonal Flair: Try pastels for Easter or autumn tones for Thanksgiving wreaths—change the colors, keep the fun!
Skill Level: Don’t worry if you’re new to meringues; with my step-by-step tips below, you’ll feel confident and proud.

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

Step 1: Prepare your workspace — clean and ready

First things first: Make sure your mixing bowl and beaters are completely clean and grease-free—this is key for stiff peaks later. I like to wipe everything down with vinegar just to be extra safe.

Step 2: Whip egg whites with lemon juice to soft peaks

Beat your cold egg whites and lemon juice on medium speed until soft peaks form—this usually takes about 3-5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the mixture turns foamy and slightly holds its shape but still bends over.

Step 3: Gradually add powdered sugar and beat to stiff peaks

Slowly add powdered sugar, about a third at a time, while continuing to beat. This step can take up to 10 minutes, but patience pays off—you’re aiming for thick, glossy meringue that holds its peak firmly when you lift the whisk.

Step 4: Separate and color your meringue

Take half a cup of the meringue into a small bowl and gently fold in red gel coloring. Then fold green coloring into the remaining meringue. Be gentle to avoid deflating the mixture—the goal is bright color without compromising airiness.

Step 5: Pipe your wreath shapes with flower petals and berries

I use a Wilton #199 tip to pipe medium-sized green flowers in a circle onto parchment-lined sheets. Then, switching to a Wilton #4 tip, I add tiny red holly berries between the petals. Finish with a sprinkle of holiday sprinkles for sparkle—remember to add these before baking!

Step 6: Bake in batches until dry and matte

Bake at 300°F for 30-40 minutes. I like to bake one sheet at a time to avoid extra humidity that ruins the dry finish. The cookies are done when the surface feels completely dry and matte, not glossy, and they sound hollow if you tap lightly.

Step 7: Cool completely before serving or storing

Let your wreaths cool fully on the baking sheet or a rack for about 5-10 minutes. This gives them time to set properly and avoids breaking when you transfer or store them.

Top Tip

From my tries and errors, I’ve learned a few critical things to make your Colorful Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe a success every single time. These tips saved me countless batches and made meringue less intimidating!

Room Temperature Eggs: I always separate eggs straight from the fridge but let the whites sit for about 30 minutes to whip up easier and reach volume faster.
Gradual Sugar Addition: Adding sugar bit by bit makes your meringue glossy and stable—rushing this step will cause collapse.
Gentle Folding: When adding color, fold with a spatula carefully to keep all the trapped air in the mixture—it’s all about that light texture!
Baking in Batches: Don’t overload the oven; the moisture can wreck drying out. Be patient, or try the overnight low-temp bake method if you’re short on time.

How to Serve Colorful Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe

colorful meringue wreaths - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep garnishes simple—classic Christmas sprinkles and sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect. For parties, I like placing a small edible mistletoe leaf candy or tiny silver dragées in the center for extra festivity.

Side Dishes

These wreath cookies pair so nicely with a cup of hot cocoa or a peppermint-spiced latte. I’ve also served them alongside fresh berries and whipped cream for an elegant dessert platter that guests love.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentations is using a clear glass cake stand with the cookies stacked like a Christmas tree—the layers of colorful wreaths look magical under the light! Tying a ribbon around a stack for gifting also adds a sweet homemade touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, ideally in a single layer separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking. I’ve found they keep beautifully for 3-5 days without losing that crisp texture.

Freezing

These cookies don’t freeze well because meringues absorb moisture easily, which softens their delicate texture. I recommend making only as many as you can enjoy fresh in a few days.

Reheating

Thankfully, these don’t really need reheating. If you find they’ve softened a bit, a quick 5-minute warm-up in a low oven (about 250°F) can help crisp them back up without browning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar for this recipe?

Powdered sugar dissolves much more easily, which is essential for glossy and smooth meringue. Using regular granulated sugar can result in a grainy texture and may prevent the meringue from reaching stiff peaks properly.

What’s the best way to avoid yolk contamination in the egg whites?

I recommend separating eggs one at a time into a small bowl before adding the whites to your mixing bowl. This way, if a yolk breaks, you won’t ruin the entire batch. Also, make sure your hands and utensils are clean and dry.

Can I make these wreath cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare and bake your meringue wreath cookies a few days in advance. Just be sure to store them airtight in a dry place to maintain their crisp texture.

What if I don’t have time to bake in batches?

If short on time, try baking your cookies overnight at a lower temperature. This slow drying method prevents cracking and achieves the perfect crispiness without needing to bake batches separately.

Final Thoughts

This Colorful Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe quickly became one of my favorite festive traditions because it’s both beautiful and rewarding to make. Once you see your cookies come out crisp and colorful, you’ll feel that same sense of joy I do every holiday season. Give it a try—you might just find a new holiday staple that looks amazing and tastes divine!