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 truly magical about light, airy cookies that melt in your mouth — and that’s exactly why I adore sharing this Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe with you. They’re not just pretty to look at with their Christmas colors and sprinkles, but wonderfully delicate treats that feel like holiday joy in every bite.

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 made these wreath cookies — they instantly became a holiday staple. The balance of sweet, melt-in-your-mouth meringue colored vibrantly and shaped into festive wreaths is a showstopper. Plus, they're fun to pipe and decorate!

Elegant and Festive: These cookies look stunning on any holiday platter, adding a touch of homemade charm that guests always notice.
Light as a Cloud: Made mainly from whipped egg whites and sugar, they’re airy and practically melt as soon as you bite.
Customizable Colors and Decorations: You can tailor the colors and sprinkles to match your holiday theme perfectly.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These cookies stay fresh for days when stored properly, so you can prep in advance and relax on the big day.

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 Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe calls for just a few key ingredients, but each plays a crucial role in creating that perfect texture and brightness. Choosing quality ingredients makes a big difference, especially when it comes to your egg whites and powdered sugar.

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 separate better and whip up into stiff peaks easily for that light meringue base.
Lemon Juice: Helps stabilize the meringue, making the peaks firm and keeps the texture silky.
Powdered Sugar: Dissolves smoothly into the egg whites, providing sweetness without graininess.
Gel Food Coloring: Gives vibrant color with minimal liquid impact, preserving the meringue’s stability.
Christmas Sprinkles (optional): Adds festive crunch and color — just be sure to tuck them in 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 to switch up the colored meringue depending on the holiday or party theme. You can get really creative here – the delicate texture means colors show beautifully without overpowering.

Variation: One year, I folded in some finely chopped crushed peppermint for a minty aftertaste — it added a lovely festive twist without messing with the texture.
Dietary Switch: Since this recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, it’s great for folks with food sensitivities.
Difficulty Level: If you’re new to meringues, just take it slow and focus on getting those stiff peaks — it’s easier than it seems once you get the hang of it.

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

Step 1: Whip the Egg Whites to Perfection

Start with cold, fresh egg whites—separate them carefully to avoid any yolk, which can ruin your meringue's rise. Let them sit at room temperature about 30 minutes before beating for best volume. Using a DRY bowl and beaters (no grease allowed!), beat the egg whites with lemon juice on medium speed until soft peaks form. Trust me, patience here pays off—wait for the peaks to gently hold but still be soft before adding sugar.

Step 2: Slowly Add Powdered Sugar and Beat to Stiff Peaks

Add powdered sugar gradually, about a third cup at a time, beating continuously. This can take a good 10 minutes or more but don’t rush! The magic is in the glossy, stiff peaks that hold firm when you lift the whisk out. If you see a sticky or runny mixture, just keep beating—sometimes it takes a bit longer depending on your mixer and room temperature.

Step 3: Divide, Color, and Gently Fold

Separate about half a cup of the meringue into a small bowl and add red gel coloring, folding it in gently so you don’t deflate the air you worked so hard to build. In the large bowl, fold in green gel coloring until you achieve that perfect wreath green shade. Remember: gentle folding preserves the airy texture.

Step 4: Pipe Your Wreaths and Berries

Load your piping bags fitted with Wilton tip #199 for the green wreath flowers and Wilton tip #4 for the red holly berries. I like to pipe medium-sized flowers arranged in a circle on parchment-lined sheets, then add three little berries between flowers to mimic holly sprigs. Sprinkle your Christmas sprinkles over the wet meringue—it sticks beautifully and adds a festive crunch after baking.

Step 5: Bake Low and Slow

Bake at 300°F for 30-40 minutes until the cookies feel dry and matte to the touch. Avoid crowding your oven; bake in batches to maintain crispness. If you’re in a hurry, you can try the overnight baking method described below. Once baked, let them cool fully on the baking sheets before removing—the cooling seals their delicate texture.

Top Tip

After making these wreath cookies several times, I learned a few tricks that really make the difference between soft peaks and perfect, elegant meringues. Small details add up!

Dry Mixing Tools: Always ensure your bowl and beaters are completely dry and grease-free—any moisture or oil will prevent egg whites from whipping properly.
Temperature Timing: Don’t rush the process—start with cold egg whites but beat at room temp; it helps the whites capture more air and hold volume.
Gradual Sugar Addition: Adding sugar slowly while you whip is essential so the sugar dissolves completely and your meringue becomes glossy and stiff.
Gentle Folding: When adding coloring, fold with care—not too much stirring—to keep your mixture airy and light.

How to Serve Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe

Festive Meringue Wreaths - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always add classic red and green sprinkles before baking because they add a little extra sparkle and crunch without overpowering the light cookie. You could also try edible glitter or finely chopped pistachios for a different holiday flair.

Side Dishes

These wreath cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of spiced tea, mulled wine, or even a smooth hot chocolate. They’re a wonderful ending to a festive meal or a sweet treat alongside cheese and fruit platters.

Creative Ways to Present

For a lovely centerpiece, arrange the wreath cookies on a large platter alternating colors and sizes. You can also string a few together with thin ribbon — they make charming edible ornaments or gifts for friends and family!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature in a dry spot. They usually last 3-5 days with their crisp texture intact. Just keep moisture away, or they can soften, which ruins that delicate melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing these wreath cookies because their texture suffers—it turns chewy and loses that crisp snap. It’s best to make them fresh or store briefly at room temp.

Reheating

If your cookies soften over time, a quick refresh in a low oven (about 200°F for 5-10 minutes) can help restore crispness, but be careful not to brown or burn them. Otherwise, enjoy as they are!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar?

Powdered sugar is best because it dissolves quickly into the egg whites, ensuring a smooth meringue without gritty texture. Granulated sugar can work but requires longer whipping and risks a grainy finish.

My meringue isn’t forming stiff peaks. What am I doing wrong?

Make sure your egg whites are free from yolk and that your bowl and beaters are completely dry. Also, use medium to medium-high speed on your mixer and be patient—sometimes it takes longer to reach stiff peaks, especially if your kitchen is humid.

Can I make the cookies all at once instead of in batches?

It’s best to bake in batches because overcrowding the oven increases moisture and can keep the meringues from drying out properly. However, if you’re short on time, you can use the overnight low-and-slow baking method to achieve similar results.

What’s the best tip for piping the wreath shape?

Use a Wilton #199 tip for the wreath flowers and a smaller tip like #4 for the berries. Practice piping a couple of test wreaths on parchment before baking to get comfortable with pressure and consistency.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Festive Meringue Wreath Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking traditions. They’re a bit of a showstopper yet surprisingly simple once you know the steps and tips. I hope you find the same joy in creating and sharing them as I do. So grab your mixer, some gel colors, and let’s get piping — these delicate beauties will brighten your celebrations and sweeten your season!