HOLIDAY MERINGUE COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil. In large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Beat in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not underbeat. Beat in peppermint extract.
• Fit large decorating bag with 1/2-inch star tip. With small brush, paint 3 to 4 evenly spaced stripes of food color on inside of bag from tip to upper edge. Carefully spoon all meringue into bag. Pipe 1 1/2-inch diameter stars about 1 1/2 inches apart onto paper-lined cookie sheets.
• Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until crisp and dry, but not brown. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225°. Beat egg whites with vinegar and salt on medium speed until foamy and doubled in volume. Beat in extracts. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form (this may take 10 minutes)., Insert a 1/2-inch round tip into a pastry bag. Paint 5 stripes of red food coloring inside the length of the pastry bag. Transfer meringue to pastry bag; pipe dollops 1 inch apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets., Bake 1 hour or until set and dry. Turn off oven (do not open oven door); leave meringues in oven 1 hour. Remove and cool completely on baking sheets. Remove meringues from paper; store in an airtight container at room temperature.