‘Tis the season for cookies! What is it about the holidays and cookies? We eat them all year but eating cookies with a glass of milk at Christmastime is extra special. And sharing them with loved ones? Precious.
Old Christmas traditions
I always say Christmas in the Philippines is pretty hard to beat. The unofficial Christmas season starts in September and you have to be a major scrooge not to get caught up in it.
Then on Christmas Eve, families would attend midnight mass and, with the whole community, countdown to Christmas together. Noche Buena follows where all your favourite things are on the table; it’s really a sight to behold.
So when I moved to Canada, my first Christmas here was…different. Truth was, I’ve never felt farther away from home. It’s gotten better though. And a lot of it has to do with all the new traditions we started to make Christmas here our own.
New Christmas traditions
Like our own little Christmas countdown. Not as exciting or as festive as the one back home but just as special. I would love to say we sit by the fire but seeing that we live in a condo we just sit on our sofa (LOL!), listen to holiday music and wait for midnight.
And unlike the countdown on NYE where Champagne is flowing and fancy hors d’oeuvres are passed around though, our Christmas countdown is more relaxed, more muted.
It usually consists of what I baked that day and good old Canadian milk (big shoutout to Dairy Farmers of Canada for working hard to make Canadian milk exceptional. Find out more about them here.)
A glass for Santa
Speaking of milk, the holidays add a special sparkle to milk too, eh? We consume a lot of milk everyday with our breakfast or after we workout but around Christmastime, milk becomes this magical drink prepared just for Santa. Check out this adorable video and you’ll see what I mean! It will brighten up your day, I promise.
Double chocolate meringue cookies
This year, our little Christmas cookie countdown will consist of milk and these scrumptious double chocolate meringue cookies. The cookies are light, crisp on the outside, and nice and chewy on the inside.
They are bursting with chocolate flavour. Double the chocolate flavour in fact! This recipe makes a big batch (about 36 cookies) so there’s enough for everyone.
Because let’s remember that the holidays are all about sharing too. The gifts and the lights and the songs are nice but at the end of the day, it’s about spending time with the people you love. And sharing milk and cookies with them.
Double Chocolate Meringue Cookies
Ingredients
- 5 egg whites room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3.5 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk 5 egg whites, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar and a pinch of salt on medium speed until soft peaks (6-8 minutes).
- Switch to low speed and very slowly (I do it one teaspoon at a time) add the 1 cup of sugar until your meringue is stiff, sticky and glossy (5-6 minutes).
- Sprinkle the cocoa powder on top of the meringue and gently fold until combined. Sprinkle the chopped chocolate on top of that and fold 2-3 times just until the chocolate is spread out (you don't want to fully incorporate, you want to see chunks of chocolate in places).
- Drop meringue onto your prepared pans by the tablespoonful and gently flatten and swirl the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 10 minutes (position your pans in the middle of your oven - for me this means placing them in the top and lower third racks) then turn the oven off. Leave the pans in the oven for at least 6 hours or overnight. Do not open the oven door so the meringues can dry properly.
- Remove from the pan and store in an airtight container.
Happy baking!
Did you make double chocolate meringue cookies? What’s your favourite cookie to munch on with milk? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
Here are more ideas on how to incorporate milk throughout the holidays.
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I am not a baker but had to make some cookies last Christmas and these were a hit! I was afraid to tackle meringue but beginner’s luck…they were amazing everyone loved them. So I mde them again last week they were crumbly less chewy but still delicous. Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Jackie! You’d be a meringue master in no time 🙂 Happy Saturday!
More chocolate more happiness for me! Will practice making these in time for easter holidays.
My kids really love cookies! I’m sure that these Double Chocolate Meringue Cookies are delicious and they would love it as well.
OMG!! This looks amazing! I can’t stop thinking about how it would taste. It looks SOOOOO delicious! I am going to make it for our cookie exchange.
You had me at double chocolate, those cookies are to die for! Even though you miss the traditions of back home, you should feel extremely lucky that not only do you get to experience new traditions, but you also get to teach others about what you used to do at home. That’s super exciting! I hope you habe a wonderful holiday!
Thanks Shawna! Hope you’re having wonderful holidays too!
Those look absolutely fantastic. I love meringues and haven’t made nay in forever!
oh my these cookies look so artsy and scrumptious! I would love to try to bake these at home (although I’m the worst baker ever lol) I hope they turn out as good as they look!
Yum yum yum.. the pictures made my mouth water. Will try it for Christmas
Yes! these cookies look like they melt in the mouth. I am definitely trying this recipe for myself
Trying this for the winters for sure! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Christmas in Italy is a lot different as well than the one I have in Canada, but you’re right, we started making Christmas here our own. Ans it’s just as special. For example, the cookies and milk thing, which you will hardly see in Italy 🙂 . I love your double chocolate meringues, and that glass of Canadian milk looks so good!
Hi Nicoletta! Thanks! And that’s what’s great about Canada isn’t it? So many cultures coming together, so much diversity, I absolutely love it 🙂 Happy Christmas!!
I love those characters in the milk video! What are they made of? Your Christmas in the Philippines sounds very special. I hate to say that our traditions are much more boring. Actually one thing we do is watch a really, really bad Christmas movie my husband found. It’s so funny that we quote it all year round. I don’t even remember the name but it’s bad. Anyway, I am going to attempt to make these and don’t be surprised if I email you with questions. They look wonderful!
Hi Denise! It’s such an adorable video isn’t it?? It’s from the folks at Dairy Farmers of Canada 🙂 And that sounds like a fun Christmas tradition actually haha! PS: Email away…hope you like the cookies!
I used to be super intimidated with meringues! I think it’s awesome that you’re sharing this recipe, it looks really good and I love that it’s chocolate!!! YUM!
Hi AnnMarie! These cookies are less fussy than other meringue recipes I work with…hope you try it! 🙂
The lightness of the cookie is what appeals to me. They are delicious and I like that they aren’t overly sweet. The addition of the cocoa and chopped chocolate chips make them an extra special seasonal treat!
Hi Marisa! These are incredibly light. And super chocolatey! Perfect with milk.
This is my first time to heard about Meringue cookies and Looks so yummy, I can’t wait to try this 🙂
This is beyond creative. This might actually be a way to get me to enjoy meringue.
OMG! I literally want to pick it up from my laptop screen and eat these cookies. I am going to try this recipe out and if I manage to make it the way it looks in these pics, then it is a perfect Christmas gift for my brother. 🙂
Awesome! Hope you and your brother like it!
I think remembering Christmas is so important. It’s great to remember the time. I can imagine it would be hard to spend it in a new country.
It’s certainly not easy spending it away from family, but we try to make the best of it. Hope you’re having fantastic holidays!
I love meringue cookies, actually my son loves meringue cookies very much. I usually make some for him. These look so pretty and yum. Would make a perfect addition to my Christmas Collection.
Oh god! Those Meringues look AMAZING! I have never tried to make those myself but the recipe seems easy enough. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Omg can we say yum?!?! I just love any type of cookie! My favorite type of sweets. I will have to give your recipe a try!
I’ve never tried making my own meringue cookies. I’m surprised by how easy it looks.
Meringue cookies! You’re killing me, they look divine!
I’m passing this recipe on to my mom and I’m going to beg her to make them.
I suck at baking but I really want to eat one.
I adore meringue!
Haha hope she agrees to make a batch for you 🙂 These are pretty awesome. Hope you guys like it!
These look and sound beyond amazing! My best friend is from the Philippines. I’m going to make these for her as a surprise. Thanks for sharing!!!
Wow its been awhile since I tried baked meringue.
You are right, itbis hard to beat Philippines Christmas season. Starts from September to December, and recently because Filipinos also celebrates Chinese New Year, it extends to until February – that’s 6 months! And I like it 🙂
Oh I totally forgot about CNY!! You’re absolutely right, it extends the celebrations up to February. That’s so awesome 🙂
My mom and I always make meringues for the holidays and every year, we do it at the 11th hour. And because it’s the 11th hour and there are about 20 people coming the following day, we follow this easy trick: preheat your oven to 350. Make your meringues (I do it sans tartar and nuts) and put them on your baking sheet. Put them in the oven. After 5 minutes, turn off the oven. Go to bed after an exhausting day of cooking. Wake up the next morning and remove meringues. Voila!
These look delicious! I’ve never tried to make a meringue before, but I think we will have to try these out!
I love the texture and there’s a delightful surprise waiting inside.
Omg!! Those cookies looks so good. What I love is the fact that you can make them so quickly. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe.
Hi Tiffany. It’s quick to whip up but remember there’s a pretty significant waiting time 🙂 So remember to plan ahead when you make these. The wait is totally worth it!
You had me at double chocolate. These can be totally paleo friendly. I’m making them!
I have only ever made vanilla meringue cookies never chocolate and that has to change. These look amazing. I love meringue cookies, they are definitely one of my favorites.
It must be fun to begin Christmas preparation from September! It’s equally great to see you embracing a new culture in a new place! Loved reading the post and I loved how yummy the cookies look! Thanks for sharing.
I love meringue so much and chocolate as well so these cookies sound right up my alley! I’d love to give them a try!
Hi there! This looks yummy 🙂 My granny is a professional baker and she keeps on going crazy on “Plätzchen” during Christmas. Those are very simple, but typical, German butter cookies that we all decorate together every single year. I will definitely save your recipe, the cookies look delicious!
Hi Anne! Thanks! Plätzchen sounds delicious. And fun to make too. Definitely putting that on my to-bake list 🙂
Man that looks really really good! Gonna give it a try 🙂
My goodness, they look so supple and crunchy at the same time, seems, it will melt in my mouth. Shall plan to treat family with these Double chocolate cookies.
I am so going to try to make these on my own. History has shown I’m not great at desserts, but this one looks too good not to try!
My husband will die for this. He loves chocolate and if I can make double chocolate he will be happy as clam! I would love to try this for Christmas party.
Bravo on the sponsored post. It was a great campaign for sure. Christmas traditions hold a special place in our hearts….and we certainly have our favourites too.
These are going to be so nice for cookie swaps. I can’t believe how good they look!
I’ve never try baking a meringue cookies before but this recipe looks easy to follow. I like a good textured cookies that just melts away in my mouth. Thanks for the recipe!
You had me at chocolate, then you said “double” chocolate! These look divine, can’t wait to try them!
Oh my goodness these meringue cookies look amazing! I know our family would likely love these a lot. We bake a lot, so I will have to add these to our list to try this year.
I have yet to make anything meringue. It looks intimidating. You make me want to try now!
I love a good meringue cookie. Making them chocolate is even better – yum!
I love how even though you moved to Canada a while ago you still uphold some of the traditions from the Philippines but have also made your own as well. I love the double chocolate meringues and I hope that you have an amazing Christmas day too x
I thought Christmas around here started early, but September? Sounds pretty fun, if you ask me! And these meringues look amaze balls, Jolina! Though, I am getting pretty distracted by your pretty nails! They are always on point, girl! P.S. Have fun watching the movie this week! I can’t go until later, but totally looking forward to it 🙂
Hi Dawn! I just saw The Movie…I love watching the first day with fellow (crazy) fans because there’s cheering and clapping and other crazy-fan things lol. How are you? I’ve been so busy. I love Christmas but really all I want at the moment is maybe 2 days of just sleeping and doing nothing lol!! Happy Sunday and have a fantastic week!
Your cookies look too pretty to eat! seriously like art work. I am so envious of your skills!