How to Make Dreamy, 5-Ingredient French Meringue Cookies

When it comes to simple, delicious desserts, it really doesn’t get any better than the classy French meringue cookie. Light as air and made with just five ingredients, they’re hard to stop eating once you start. Click to watch the oh-so-dreamy recipe in action.

What You Need
 - 3 large egg whites
 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
 - 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
 - Gel food coloring

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 230°F. Pour the egg whites into an electric mixer and turn on at a medium speed.

Step 2: While the mixer continues to whip, add the vanilla and cream of tartar. Use a spoon to add the sugar a little bit at a time. 

Step 3: Continue mixing until stiff peaks start to form. You’ll know it’s done when the mixture is silky smooth to the touch.

Step 4: Add one or two drops of gel food coloring and gently fold the color in for subtle swirls. 

Step 5: Fit a piping bag with a drop flower tip and fill it with the meringue mixture. (If you don’t have a piping bag, a plastic bag will do just fine. Cut the corner in a small "X" to get the flower effect.)

Step 6: Pipe the meringue cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (you should have enough to pipe about 30) and bake for 1 hour.

Additional Reporting by Abby Hepworth