Have you tried macarons? You know…they are ALL the rage. I have and I’m left nonplussed. I thought maybe it was me, you know, a novice at the craft. The French cookie that requires seemingly perfect ingredients, perfect proportions and I’m sure, perfect altitude. I tried, I really did but even if I mastered the first two, the last was never going to be. I live at 5,280 feet and if altitude comes to bear at all, well, I’m in trouble. My first attempt was to make some Chocolate Nutella Macarons and though I got the ‘feet’ that are so important to the perfect end result, my ‘magma’ flow of meringue was apparently not quite right and I ended up with a cute little twirl on top. My second attempt, Boysenberry Buttercream Macarons had another whole set up issues and I decided this effort which is timely and expensive was just not for me. Enter Merry Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies!

I decided I didn’t have to abandon meringue entirely because I’ve always loved plain and simple meringue cookies. The crunchy exterior belies the pillowy soft interior that literally seems to melt in your mouth. I haven’t made meringue cookies in several years and was inspired to do some again by, of all things, a chocolate chip cookie. That’s right!

I saw Rachael with La FujiMama do a post with chocolate chip and toffee meringues and was reminded of how much I love meringue cookies and maybe just as important…how successful they have always been for me; no stressing and no feet required!

Meringues cookies are so easy to make; making them green was just as easy and the star and the ‘ornaments’ came together quickly; they are just some melted white chocolate that is piped and in the case of the star, dusted with gold glitter. The proof was, as they say, ‘in the pudding’ and they gave that great light taste I love with just a hint of white chocolate; just as elegant to eat as they look on the table.

I have to admit I had some fun playing with the finished cookie. I have my own vintage set of holiday houses (well, 25+ years old at least) and I thought it would be fun to use one of my favorites as a prop. I don’t get the set out every year but now that I’ve done one…I want more. If you stop by, take a peek; maybe you’ll find a hidden treat!

Honestly I sort of make these each year because they are so cute in my Christmas Village. And then they start to disappear. Oops!

