Table of Contents
Introduction
Ghost Meringue Cookies are a delightfully spooky Halloween treat—light, crisp, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Made from just a few simple ingredients like egg whites and sugar, these little ghosts are piped into playful shapes and decorated with candy eyes or melted chocolate for spooky expressions. They’re elegant enough for a festive dessert table yet easy enough for kids to help with. In this article, I’ll share the story behind these cookies, the ingredients you’ll need, step-by-step instructions, and creative decorating ideas to make them the stars of your Halloween celebration.
The Story Behind Ghost Meringue Cookies
A Halloween Tradition with a Light Twist
In our kitchen, Halloween desserts usually lean rich and chocolatey—brownies, cupcakes, caramel treats. But one year, I wanted something lighter and different, something that wouldn’t weigh everyone down after a big family meal. That’s when I turned to meringues. With just egg whites and sugar, I piped out little ghost shapes, baked them low and slow, and added silly faces. Emily loved them instantly, naming each ghost before taking a bite. Marek laughed and said they were “the friendliest ghosts he’d ever seen,” while Elizabeth appreciated their old-fashioned simplicity. Now, Ghost Meringue Cookies have become one of our go-to Halloween traditions.
Why They’re Special
These cookies stand out because they’re both whimsical and versatile. They’re incredibly light and airy, with a crisp shell that dissolves into sweetness the moment you bite in. Decorating them is half the fun—some ghosts look cute, others spooky, and some downright goofy depending on how you pipe and decorate them. They’re also a great option for those who want a festive treat that isn’t heavy or overly rich. Whether displayed on a party platter, used as cupcake toppers, or tucked into Halloween gift bags, Ghost Meringue Cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles (and maybe a few playful chills).
Ingredients and Preparation
Simple Ingredients for a Spooky Treat
One of the best parts about Ghost Meringue Cookies is how simple the ingredient list is. With just egg whites, sugar, and a touch of flavoring, you can whip up a batch of cookies that look impressive but take very little effort.
Ingredient List:
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar (optional, helps stabilize the meringue)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Candy eyes or melted chocolate for decorating
Step-by-Step Preparation
Preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Make sure your mixing bowl and whisk are completely clean and grease-free—any residue can prevent the egg whites from whipping properly.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating continuously until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Transfer the meringue mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or simply use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off). Pipe ghost shapes onto the prepared baking sheets by squeezing out tall mounds of meringue with a little swirl at the top. Vary the sizes slightly to make each ghost unique.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, then turn the oven off and leave the cookies inside to cool completely for another 30–60 minutes. This helps them dry out fully and stay crisp. Once cooled, use melted chocolate or edible markers to draw spooky faces, or simply press candy eyes into the meringues while they’re still slightly tacky.
Decorating Ideas and Creative Variations
Adding Spooky Personality
The real fun of Ghost Meringue Cookies comes after baking, when it’s time to give each ghost a face. Melted chocolate is the easiest option—use a toothpick or piping bag to dot on round eyes and tiny mouths. For a more playful look, try candy eyes pressed gently into the meringue. The best part is that no two ghosts look alike. Some might look wide-eyed and surprised, while others look sneaky or silly. Emily loves to give each ghost a “name” depending on its expression before biting into it.
Fun Variations for Parties
If you’re serving these cookies at a Halloween party, consider piping different shapes for variety. Smaller meringues make great “mini ghosts” that kids can pop in their mouths, while larger ones can be used as spooky cupcake toppers. For a dramatic platter, mix in other meringue shapes like bones or pumpkins and display them together. You can even create a haunted house scene by arranging the cookies on a black tray with candy corn and gummy worms.
Creative Flavor Twists
While vanilla is the classic choice, you can experiment with other extracts for fun flavor variations. Peppermint gives the ghosts a refreshing bite, while almond or coconut adds a unique twist. For a spooky effect, swirl in a tiny bit of black food coloring before piping to give the ghosts a marbled, smoky appearance. Another fun idea is to drizzle the cooled ghosts with melted white or dark chocolate for an extra layer of sweetness.
No matter how you decorate them, Ghost Meringue Cookies are light, crisp, and endlessly charming. They prove that Halloween desserts don’t need to be heavy to be festive—and sometimes, the simplest treats are the most memorable.
Serving, Storing, and Party Tips
Serving Ghost Meringue Cookies
Ghost Meringue Cookies are as much fun to display as they are to eat. For parties, pile them high on a tiered dessert stand with candy corn or small pumpkins scattered around for extra seasonal flair. If you want to create a spooky effect, serve them on a black platter lined with a piece of parchment and surround them with faux cobwebs or tiny LED candles. For kids’ gatherings, package the ghosts individually in clear treat bags tied with festive ribbons—they make perfect party favors and are easy to hand out at school events or trick-or-treat nights.
Storing for Freshness
Meringues are delicate, so proper storage is key to keeping them crisp. Once completely cooled, store your Ghost Meringue Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 5 days if kept away from humidity. Avoid refrigerating them, as moisture will make the cookies sticky and chewy. If you live in a humid climate, add a small food-safe silica packet to your container or line it with a paper towel to help absorb excess moisture.
Tips for Entertaining
Ghost Meringue Cookies are versatile enough to fit into any Halloween spread. Serve them alongside richer desserts like brownies or cupcakes to offer a light, airy option. Use them as edible toppers for cakes or mousses, or create a themed dessert board with ghost cookies, candy eyeballs, and chocolate-dipped pretzels. For an interactive twist, let kids decorate plain meringues with edible markers or melted chocolate, turning dessert into a fun Halloween activity. However you serve them, these cookies bring charm, fun, and just the right amount of spookiness to your celebration.
Ghost Meringue Cookies: Light, Spooky, and Sweet
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Ghost Meringue Cookies are light, crisp, and spooky-sweet Halloween treats made from whipped egg whites and sugar, piped into ghost shapes and decorated with candy eyes or melted chocolate. Perfect for parties and easy enough for kids to help!
Ingredients
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Candy eyes or melted chocolate for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225°F (110°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar, then beat to soft peaks.
- Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating to stiff, glossy peaks. Beat in vanilla extract.
- Transfer meringue to a piping bag fitted with a round tip (or use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped).
- Pipe ghost shapes onto baking sheets, creating tall mounds with swirled tops.
- Bake for 1 hour. Turn off oven and let cookies cool inside for 30–60 minutes.
- Once fully cooled, decorate with melted chocolate or press in candy eyes.
Notes
Store meringues in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Avoid humidity, which can make them chewy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 20
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Meringue Cookies
Why did my meringues turn chewy instead of crisp?
Humidity is usually the culprit. Be sure to bake them low and slow, then let them cool completely in the oven to dry out fully. Store in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
Can I make Ghost Meringue Cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can make them up to 5 days in advance. Just keep them stored in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat and humidity.
Do I need cream of tartar for this recipe?
Cream of tartar helps stabilize the egg whites, but it isn’t strictly necessary. If you don’t have it, you can use a small splash of lemon juice or vinegar instead.
Can I decorate the ghosts with something other than chocolate?
Absolutely. Candy eyes, edible markers, or even small sprinkles pressed into the meringue work beautifully for giving your ghosts personality.
Conclusion
Ghost Meringue Cookies are the perfect balance of spooky charm and sweet simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create light, airy cookies that melt in your mouth while adding festive fun to any Halloween celebration. They’re easy to decorate, versatile enough for parties or favors, and light enough to balance out richer desserts. Whether you make them with kids as a fun holiday activity or prepare them as an elegant addition to a Halloween spread, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles. Simple, playful, and irresistibly spooky, Ghost Meringue Cookies are sure to become a tradition in your kitchen.
👉 I hope you enjoyed whipping up these adorable Ghost Meringue Cookies—they’re light, airy, and spook-tacularly perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or fun baking projects with kids!
Looking for more treats that pair perfectly with these sweet little spirits? Try our No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars for a creamy and indulgent contrast. Or go mini with our Strawberry Cheesecake Bites—bite-sized and bursting with flavor!
If you’re on a fall dessert streak, the French Strawberry Tart is an elegant and seasonal addition to your table. For something savory to balance all the sugar, check out our cozy Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites.
Need more Halloween-ready or whimsical ideas? Don’t miss these hauntingly good Raspberry Meringue Pies from SANTMD, or sink your teeth into their decadent Triple Berry Tarts—both full of fruity, flaky goodness.
And if you love creative bakes, head over to DanaRecipes for these dreamy Mini No-Bake Peach Cheesecakes or go classic with their crowd-favorite Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies.
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