Description
These Easy Jello Meringue Cookies are airy little clouds of sweetness with a crisp exterior and slightly chewy center! The secret ingredient—Jell-O powder—adds both vibrant color and fruit flavor to these delicate treats without any additional food coloring or extracts. Perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you need a light, fat-free sweet that looks incredibly impressive with minimal effort!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons flavored Jell-O powder (any flavor/color of your choice)
- Optional garnish: rainbow sprinkles or colored sugar
Instructions
- Prep Your Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 225°F (107°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. For perfectly uniform cookies, you can draw 1-inch circles on the back of the parchment as a piping guide.
- Whip the Egg Whites: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, combine room-temperature egg whites, cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat until frothy and soft peaks begin to form, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Sugar Gradually: With mixer running on medium-high, slowly stream in the granulated sugar one tablespoon at a time. Continue beating until the meringue forms glossy, stiff peaks that stand tall when beaters are lifted, about 3-4 more minutes.
- Incorporate Jell-O: Sprinkle the Jell-O powder over the meringue and gently fold in using a silicone spatula. Use a light touch and no more than 6-8 folds to avoid deflating the mixture.
- Pipe or Spoon: Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, or use two spoons to form 1-inch mounds on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake Low and Slow: Bake at 225°F for 60-75 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Meringues should feel dry to the touch and lift easily from the parchment.
- Cool Properly: Turn off the oven, crack the door open about an inch, and let meringues cool inside for 30 minutes. This prevents cracking from sudden temperature changes.
- Serve and Store: Once completely cool, enjoy these delicate treats immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Notes
- Humidity is the enemy of meringue! Try to make these on a dry day for best results.
- For perfectly whipped egg whites, ensure your bowl and beaters are completely clean and free of any grease or residue.
- Room temperature egg whites whip up faster and with more volume than cold ones.
- The cookies will be the color of whatever Jell-O flavor you choose—try strawberry for pink, lime for green, berry blue for vibrant blue cookies!
- If your meringues develop tiny beads of moisture on the surface, they were likely overbeaten or your sugar wasn’t fully dissolved.
- For flavor variations, try adding ¼ teaspoon of complementary extract (like vanilla, almond, or lemon) when folding in the Jell-O powder.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 20
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 13mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Easy Jello Meringue Cookies, Colorful Meringue Cookies, Fat-Free Cookies, Gluten-Free Dessert, Light Dessert, Egg White Cookies, Jell-O Dessert