Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, peppermint or mint extract ((optional))
  • 4-5 drops green food coloring
  • sprinkles and star shapes, (for decorating)

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 200F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 
  • Put egg whites into a medium bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer.) Whisk the egg whites until they begin to look frothy. This can be done by hand with a whisk but is easier if you use the whisk attachment on a stand mixer.
  • Add in sugar, half a cup at a time, and whisk on high speed. It should begin to have the consistency of shaving cream. It does take a few minutes, so don’t quit too early! 
  • Add in a few drops of green food coloring, mixing the color evenly. Also, If you are using any kind of flavoring, stir it in at this point. The meringue should form "stiff peaks." When you remove the whisk, it will hold its shape. 
  • Fill a piping bag using a star tip or for the 3 tier trees, I used the #199 tip.
  • To form tier trees, pipe onto the parchment lined baking sheet or on top of a silicone baking mat. Begin by adding a small dollop and without lifting the tip completely apart from the bottom tier, begin a second tier and repeat for the top, before pulling the bag away from the tree.
  • If using a star tip, start at the bottom and go in a continuous circle building up as you go, pull up on the top of your swirls to create the tip of the tree. 
  • Once you have piped your trees, gently place a small star on top of each one. And sprinkle on any type of festive sprinkles.
  • After the sprinkles have been added to the trees, place them in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, without opening the oven door.
  • Once done, turn off the oven, and leave the door cracked for at least another two hours. I have also left the door cracked until the oven cools, then closed it, and left them in the oven overnight. Meringues do well and stay crisp in a dry environment. 
  • Store covered in an airtight container and in a dry environment.