Spooky Ghost Meringue Cookies: Easy Halloween Treats
These spooky ghost meringue cookies are light, airy, and adorable—perfect for Halloween parties or last-minute treats. With simple ingredients and a quick prep, they look like you spent all day but come together in no time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-75 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Separate your eggs carefully, ensuring no yolk gets into the whites. Transfer each white to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites.
- Start whipping on medium speed for about 2 minutes until frothy, then increase to medium-high speed.
- Add the sugar slowly, one tablespoon at a time, letting each spoonful dissolve before adding the next (about 2-3 minutes total).
- Whip until stiff peaks form—the meringue should stand up in a sharp peak that doesn’t droop. Add vanilla extract in the last 30 seconds of whipping.
- Test the meringue by rubbing a tiny bit between your fingers; it should feel completely smooth, not gritty.
- Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
- Pipe ghosts onto the prepared baking sheet: hold the bag straight up, squeeze gently to create a round base, then lift straight up while continuing to squeeze to form a peak.
- Gently press two mini chocolate chips into each ghost for eyes immediately after piping.
- Bake for 60-75 minutes until dry to the touch and easily lifted off the parchment. Turn off the oven and let cool inside with the door cracked open for 30 minutes.
Notes
Room temperature eggs are essential for proper volume. Avoid making meringues on humid days as sugar absorbs moisture. Do not over-whip; stop as soon as stiff peaks form. For best results, weigh ingredients: 150g sugar and about 90g egg whites. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Do not refrigerate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ghost cookie
- Calories: 28
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Protein: 1
Keywords: Halloween cookies, meringue cookies, ghost cookies, easy Halloween treats, gluten-free cookies, dairy-free cookies, low-fat cookies