12 Days of Cookies: Joy Wilson’s Peppermint Meringues

‘Tis the season for sharing home-baked treats! This year we partnered with some of our favorite bakers to create the ultimate holiday cookie swap. See them all here, then follow along and show us your own holiday cookies on Instagram @williamssonoma with the hashtag #wscookieswap. 

 

Better known as Joy the Baker, blogger and cookbook author Joy Wilson has won us over time and time again with her creative but homey recipes for cakes, cookies, pastries and other treats. She’s the friend we want to have when holiday cookie season is in full swing! Here, we ask her all about her baking traditions, favorite seasonal flavors, and ideal cookie tin. She also shares a recipe for a festive sweet: Peppermint Meringues!

 

What are some of your favorite holiday baking traditions?   

My favorite holiday baking tradition with my family is getting in the kitchen with my dad to bake sweet potato pie. The smell alone is perfectly holiday to me!

 

What flavors are best for baking this time of year? 

I love the warm, cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and molasses, especially when they’re paired with bright citrus fruits like lemon and orange.

 

Let’s talk cookies. What are your top tips for making the best batch every time? 

Cookie dough always needs time in the refrigerator to chill and rest. This time will help re-chill the butter and help distribute the moisture, ensuring that our cookies won’t be flat as pancakes once they come out of the oven.

 

Any creative cookie decorating ideas? 

I love to half-dip sugar cookies in chocolate then sprinkle them generously with crushed candy cane. Simple and festive!

 

When it comes to holiday cookies, do you stick to tradition or try to experiment? 

I stick to tradition!  I love sugar cookies and gingersnaps!

 

Can you share any fun presentation/gift wrapping ideas for cookies? 

I stock up on paper cookie cups so my cookies look extra professional when bundled together in a tin. To surround the papers, I curl lots of thin green and silver ribbon.

 

 

Tell us about the recipe we’re sharing, Peppermint Meringues. What was your inspiration? What’s special about the recipe?

I love the light and crisp texture of meringue cookies! Peppermint is one of my favorite holiday flavors because it always feels extra wintery. I love that this cookie is light and refreshing, almost like an after-dinner mint. It’s the perfect sweet nibble after a big holiday meal.

 

Any tips for people making these cookies? Creative twists or other ideas? 

To add an extra flair, fold in mini chocolate chips. Chocolate and peppermint are a match made in holiday heaven!

 

What’s your favorite way to enjoy them? 

In excess with a cup of creamy hot chocolate.

 

Try Joy’s recipe for Peppermint Meringues here!