Ghost Meringues

Light, crisp, and perfectly spooky, these ghost meringues are an easy and fun Halloween treat that melt in your mouth.

These ghost meringues are a fun and festive way to celebrate Halloween! Light, crisp, and sweet, they melt in your mouth and look absolutely adorable on a dessert table. Each one is made from a simple meringue mixture, piped into cute ghostly shapes, and finished with tiny black meringue faces.

They’re the perfect blend of spooky and sweet – a treat that both kids and adults will love. Best of all, they’re easier to make than they look, requiring just a few basic ingredients and a bit of patience while they bake low and slow.

Whether you’re planning a Halloween party, assembling goodie bags, or just want a fun baking project for the season, these ghost meringues are sure to bring a little haunting charm to any Halloween table.

Tips for Best Results

• Use gel colouring rather than liquid to avoid thinning the meringue.
• Make sure all bowls and beaters are completely grease-free before whipping.
• Add sugar gradually to create a smooth, stable meringue.
• Bake on dry days to prevent stickiness caused by humidity.
• For best definition, pipe the ghosts first, then add the faces right after.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Egg Whites – Room temperature whites whip higher. Carton whites work if they’re pure egg white.
• Cream of Tartar – Stabilises the meringue; you can replace it with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar.
• Salt – Balances the sweetness.
• Sugar – Granulated white sugar works best; avoid brown or powdered sugar.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds a subtle sweetness; almond or peppermint extract can also be used.
• Black Gel Food Colouring – Ideal for faces. If you don’t have black, mix blue, red, and green gels for a dark shade.

Looking for More Halloween Treats?

Check out more of my favourite Halloween recipes!

Make your Halloween party one to remember with this easy pumpkin frosting board featuring homemade cream cheese frosting and fun dippers!

These Frankenstein Brownies are a cute Halloween treat that are a little spooky and a little bit sweet. Perfect for Halloween parties, kids are sure to love this ghoulish treat!

These spooky, bloody eyeball cupcakes are perfect for your next Halloween party! These easy to make ghoulish goodies can be ready in no time!

Ghost Meringues

Yields: 36 small meringues | Prep time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour | Cooling time: 1–2 hours

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Black gel food colouring

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 225°F (105°C). Line two baking trays with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large, clean mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt. Beat on low speed until foamy.
3. Increase the mixer speed to high. Gradually add sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, allowing 15 seconds between each addition.
4. Continue beating until the meringue is thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. Rub a small bit between your fingers – if it feels gritty, keep beating until smooth.
5. Beat in the vanilla extract.
6. Scoop out about ¼ cup of the meringue into a small bowl and tint it with black gel food colouring. Leave the remaining meringue white.
7. Transfer the white meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or snip the corner of a piping bag). Pipe ghost shapes onto the prepared trays, starting with a round base and pulling upward to create a pointed top.
8. Transfer the black meringue to a small piping bag fitted with a fine round tip or use a toothpick to dot on eyes and mouths.
9. Bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven, leaving the door closed, and let the meringues cool completely inside for 1–2 hours to dry out fully.
10. Once cool and crisp, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep them in a dry place away from moisture.