Nora
Light as air and bursting with color, these Easy Jello Meringue Cookies are a cheerful treat that melts in your mouth. With their whimsical swirls of pastel pink, lemon yellow, mint green, and more, they not only taste amazing but are visually stunning for parties, holidays, or just a fun afternoon pick-me-up.
The secret behind these magical bites? A packet of flavored Jell-O. It infuses the meringue with fruity sweetness and subtle color, all while keeping the recipe ultra-simple. No fancy piping tips required (though they sure help), and no special ingredients beyond pantry basics.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Jello Meringue Cookies
- Crispy outside, marshmallowy inside: Just the right texture combo to keep you coming back for more.
- Customizable flavors and colors: Swap in any Jell-O flavor you love—raspberry, lime, pineapple, you name it.
- Naturally gluten-free: A great dessert option for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Kid-approved fun: Let little helpers choose the colors and pipe the shapes.
- Elegant but easy: Perfect for baby showers, birthday tables, or spring gatherings.
What Kind of Jell-O Should I Use for Meringue Cookies?
You can use any flavor of powdered Jell-O gelatin you like. The key is to use the regular kind, not the sugar-free or instant pudding mix varieties. Regular Jell-O has just the right sugar content and flavor boost to sweeten the meringue while providing a light hue. Popular favorites include strawberry, lemon, orange, and even blue raspberry for a colorful mix. You can even blend two flavors for a rainbow swirl look!
Ingredients for the Easy Jello Meringue Cookies
Each ingredient in this recipe has a purpose, and together they whip into a cloud-like confection with a punch of fruity flavor.
- Egg Whites: The base of our meringue, these whip up into stiff peaks that give structure and that irresistible airy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds stability and sweetness, helping the meringue hold its shape as it bakes.
- Cream of Tartar: This helps the egg whites whip up firmer and more stable, preventing deflation.
- Flavored Jell-O Powder: The star ingredient. It gives both color and flavor. You can stick with one or mix and match.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and a soft touch of warmth that balances the fruity zing.
- Pinch of Salt: Just a little to enhance the other flavors and round out the sweetness.
How To Make the Easy Jello Meringue Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Tools
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set up a piping bag with your favorite tip or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped.
Step 2: Beat the Egg Whites
In a large, clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until they become frothy. Add in the cream of tartar and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until soft peaks form.
Step 3: Add the Sugar Gradually
Slowly sprinkle in the granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while beating continuously. Keep mixing until stiff, glossy peaks form.
Step 4: Flavor It Up
Add the Jell-O powder and vanilla extract, and beat until fully incorporated. The mixture should now have a beautiful tint and sweet fruity aroma.
Step 5: Pipe the Meringues
Transfer the mixture to your piping bag and pipe small swirls or kisses onto your baking sheet. Keep them spaced about an inch apart.
Step 6: Bake Low and Slow
Bake for 1 hour. Then, turn the oven off but leave the meringues inside for another hour to fully dry out and get that crisp exterior.
Step 7: Cool and Store
Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container to preserve their crunch and color.
How to Serve and Store These Meringue Cookies
These Easy Jello Meringue Cookies make a delightful addition to any dessert table, tea party, or seasonal celebration. Their light and airy texture means they’re perfect to nibble on without feeling heavy. Each batch makes about 30 small meringues, enough to serve 8 to 10 people.
Storing Tips: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Avoid moisture or humidity, as it can make them sticky or chewy. If your area is humid, store with a food-safe desiccant packet or in a cool, dry pantry.
Freezing: Not recommended, as freezing can affect the delicate texture.
What to Serve With Easy Jello Meringue Cookies?
Hot Tea or Iced Herbal Infusions
Their fruity flavor makes these cookies a natural companion to a floral or citrusy tea like chamomile, hibiscus, or lemon verbena.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Crushed on top or served on the side, meringue cookies add a crisp contrast to cold, creamy vanilla.
Lemon Curd or Fruit Dips
Serve them as a scoopable treat to dip into zesty lemon curd or a tangy berry sauce for added flavor fun.
Whipped Cream and Berries
Create a deconstructed pavlova-style dessert with whipped cream and fresh strawberries or blueberries.
Chocolate Fondue
These cookies hold their shape well enough to be dipped in warm chocolate—a decadent, fun pairing.
Custards or Pudding Cups
Layer them into cups of pudding or custard for a delightful crunch.
Espresso or Cappuccino
For adults, the crisp sweetness balances beautifully with strong coffee notes.
Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?
If you love these Easy Jello Meringue Cookies, you’ll probably enjoy these other colorful and creative cookie recipes too:
- Lemon Churro Cookies for a citrus-spice combo that delights.
- Chocolate Crinkle Sandwich Cookies filled with ganache for a rich bite.
- Brown Sugar Maple Cookies with warm fall flavor in every chew.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies if you love fruity desserts with a creamy surprise.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies for a bright, textured twist.
These sweet bites all have one thing in common: they bring something unexpected to the cookie jar!
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out! Did you go for classic pink strawberry or mix it up with tropical flavors? Did you try multicolor piping?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other bake smarter.
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Easy Jello Meringue Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Electric mixer
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 pinch salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons flavored Jell-O powder any flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Add cream of tartar and salt; beat until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Add Jell-O powder and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined and color is evenly distributed.
- Transfer mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip or use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
- Pipe small meringue kisses onto the baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 60 minutes. Turn off oven and let cookies sit inside for another 60 minutes to dry completely.
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature.