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Are you ready for Day Two of Cookie Week? (If you missed it, I’m sharing a low carb cookie recipe every day this week. Did you see yesterday’s chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies?) Today’s recipe is one of my husband’s favorites: low carb sugar-free lemon meringue cookies!
Low Carb Sugar-Free Meringue Cookies
Vanilla meringue cookies have always been a favorite at our house. So sweet, so crunchy, and still light at the same time! We used to purchase them online or from Trader Joe’s.
We don’t buy store bought French meringues anymore, though. Despite being light on calories and low fat (if you care – I don’t!), they are still packed with sugar. Besides, it’s super easy to make your own homemade sugar-free meringue cookies!
For this recipe, I simply used my favorite powdered sugar-free sweetener instead of sugar. It’s important for it to be powdered, otherwise, the end result will be gritty. It may work to just powder a different sweetener in a food processor, as long as you can get it to a very fine consistency.
In comparison to a regular sugar-filled version, the end result is only slightly different with sugar-free meringue cookies. They are almost indistinguishable. In fact, my husband asked me why I made cookies with sugar in them!
The only difference you may notice is that it’s a little more difficult for the beaten egg whites to hold their stiff peaks. Basically, that means you get less definition in your meringue design when piping. I don’t know about you, but I’ll gladly deal with that so that I can have low carb meringue cookies.
Vanilla vs Lemon Meringue Cookies
I went back and forth on what flavor to make these easy meringue cookies. At first, raspberry and a few others were up for consideration. But, those would require using an extract to make the flavor concentrated enough. I wanted something that could be made with more common ingredients that people have at home.
In the end, it was between vanilla and lemon meringue cookies. Both flavors sounded delicious, and wouldn’t require an extra trip to the store, as long as you have sugar-free sweetener.
I decided on lemon since it’s more unique and interesting. It was easy to add the lemon flavor in a natural way by using lemon juice and lemon zest. Most of the flavor actually comes from the zest.
If you prefer vanilla, you can modify the recipe to make vanilla meringue cookies instead. Simply skip the lemon zest and fold in about 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
You’ll want to keep the lemon juice as a stabilizer, or you can use cream of tartar instead. Either way, they will not taste lemony without the zest in there.
Let me know if you make one version or the other. Which kind do you think is the best meringue cookie recipe?
How To Make Meringue Cookies without Cream of Tartar
I usually have cream of tartar on hand, since it makes beating egg whites so much faster. It acts as a stabilizer.
That being said, I like making recipes that require as few special ingredients as possible. I know some people might not have it around. That’s why I wanted to show you how to make meringue cookies without cream of tartar.
Yes, it’s true. When you make lemon meringue cookies, you don’t even need the cream of tartar! The lemon juice is acidic, just like cream of tartar. It works the same way when beating the egg whites for this recipe. You only need a small amount, to avoid a watery result and ensure that you can get stiff peaks.
The process for making sugar-free meringue cookies is the same as regular ones. You just need 4 ingredients. The only difference here is the way we use lemon juice instead of cream of tartar, and the sweetener is sugar-free.
To make the cookies, simply beat the egg whites at medium speed until they start to get frothy. Add the lemon juice, which will act as a stabilizer. Increase the speed and continue to beat to stiff peaks. Gradually beat in the powdered sweetener, fold in the lemon zest, and pipe the cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
The hardest part of the whole process is the waiting! You have to bake the sugar-free meringue cookies for 1-2 hours. It takes a long time because the oven temperature has to be low to avoid burning. Afterward, the cookies need to dry some more with the oven off.
The time can vary a lot depending on the size that you pipe your meringues. Smaller ones will be ready more quickly. I’ve even done tiny ones before that were ready in around 45 minutes.
You’ll know they are done when they are firm on top and release easily from the parchment paper. (They will not be crisp at this point, however.)
Check on them occasionally, because they can go from done to browned relatively quickly.
Once the baking part is done, prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon and leave the meringue cookies in there for at least another hour. (It’s fine to leave them for a day or overnight if you have other things to do.)
Propping the oven door like this will let the meringue cookies dry completely, making them crispy. It’s the same technique I use for zucchini chips and low carb biscotti.
How To Store Meringue Cookies
If you are wondering how to store sugar-free meringue cookies, there isn’t much to it. Simply place them in an airtight container and keep them in the pantry or cupboard. Room temperature works best for them.
The only caveat is that the cookies can soften by absorbing water vapor from the air. You want to keep them away from heat and moisture.
If they get soft on you anyway, you can crisp them up again. Just place them in the oven at 200 degrees for 10 minutes. Viola!
Easy Sugar-Free Lemon Meringue Cookies Recipe - 4 Ingredients:
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RECIPE CARD
Easy Sugar-Free Lemon Meringue Cookies Recipe - 4 Ingredients
PrintIngredients
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- 2 large Egg whites (at room temperature)
- 1/2 tsp Lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Powdered erythritol
- 1/2 tbsp Lemon zest
Instructions
RECIPE TIPS + VIDEO in the post above, nutrition info + recipe notes below!
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (93 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the egg whites into a large bowl. Beat using a hand mixer at medium speed, until the whites get opaque and frothy.
- Add the lemon juice. Increase speed to high. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Gradually add the powdered sweetener, a tablespoon at a time, beating more as you go.
- Gently fold in the lemon zest.
- Carefully transfer the mixture into a piping bag. Pipe cookies onto the lined baking sheet, about a teaspoon each, spaced about an inch apart.
Bake for 1-2 hours. (Time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your meringues.) The meringues are done when they are firm and release easily from the parchment paper, but before they turn brown. When they are done, turn off the oven and prop the door open with a wooden spoon. Leave the meringues in the oven this way for at least an hour, until dry and crisp.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 cookies
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. You can find individual ingredient carb counts we use in the Low Carb & Keto Food List. Carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
More Low Carb & Keto Support!
If you want to know more about how to start a low carb diet, want to substitute sweeteners, need a food list, or need support, check these guides:
Low Carb & Keto Diet Plan
Starter Guide 
Sweetener Conversion Calculator 
Keto Low Carb Macro Calculator 
Low Carb Keto Food List + Printable PDF
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39 Comments
Shannon
I always have cream of tartar, I rarely have lemons. How much cream of tartar should I use?
Wholesome Yum
Hi Shannon, you can use 1/4 tsp cream of tartar instead of the 1/2 tsp lemon juice if you want to.
Liz
I’m a home baker for 49 years and a diabetic since I’m 10 years old. I’ve been baking sugar free for 34 years by just taking a regular cookie recipe and substituting sugar free sugar and never had a problem. I figured I’d try your recipe but it failed completely. I’ve baked sugar free lemon meringue pie and didn’t have a problem. Read your whole article and was really waiting patiently for these cookies but they failed.
Wholesome Yum
Hi Liz, I’m sorry to hear this one didn’t work for you. Meringues can be a little fussier than other cookie recipes, so it’s possible the sweetener you used caused the problem.
Maggie
Hi, I made mine with cream of tartar, 1/3 cup splenda and at the very end used a packet of lemon sugar free jello instead of the zest. They turned out wonderful and very flavorful, thanks for the recipe
Robin Skidmore
What a great, easy recipe! I made it with the vanilla – a little tricky to fold in but I was patient. I’m a disaster with a piping bag, so I just gently scooped drops and they turned out fine.
sjgrun
How many cookies does the recipe make? Can you double the recipe and get the same quality outcome?
Wholesome Yum
This recipe makes 40 cookies. I haven’t tried doubling it, but I suspect you wouldn’t get the best results that way.
Linda
I doubled the recipe and made 20 larger meringues. I have a fan oven so had to reduce the temperature and they cooked in about 1hr 20 min
Beverly
I can’t do erythritol, it makes me have severe gastric issues, would I be able to use powdered monk fruit? And if so would it be the same amount or what else would I do to make it come out correct? Also not fond of stevia because of the aftertaste.
Wholesome Yum
Hi Beverly, I haven’t tried that so I don’t know for sure if it will work. If you do, use my sweetener conversion calculator to get the right quantity! Let me know if you give it a go.
Paula
I made these for Easter dinner with my two diabetic family members in mind. They turned out perfectly and were a big hit with everyone! I’d love to add some yellow food coloring to emphasize that they are lemon flavored. Do you think this would do anything to mess up the recipe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Paula, I think it should be ok if it’s just a little bit, so that it’s not introducing too much liquid. I’m glad you liked them!
Kim
Just made these for Passover. Excellent!
Katherine Taylor
Hi!
Do you think I could make these flatter with a little divet to make them like a nest?
Thinking of doing them for Easter with a few berries in each.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Katherine, Yes, you can! Sounds delicious!
Kordell
I added in the lemon zest and any stiff peaks I had completely collapsed…any idea as to why?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Kordell, How did you add it in? It needs to be a gentle folding motion, otherwise they will collapse.
Cyndy
How much cream of tartar if you are using that in place of the lemon juice?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Cyndy, You can use 1/4 tsp cream of tartar instead of the 1/2 tsp lemon juice if you want to.
Annemarie Bjerke
That was awful, the erythritol left a very chemically taste even though it is supposed to be a natural product…the texture was great though. I will have to try it with another sweetener.
Annabelle
Oh my Oh my….sorry….these little pillows of deliciousness are marvelous and soooo simple!!! I can’t thank you enough for sharing. I love your recipes. You are helping me stay keto even when i get a sweet tooth craving. Thank you
Cathy
What is the difference between erythritol and erythritol powder?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Cathy, Granulated erythritol is like granulated sugar, powdered erythritol is like powdered sugar. Difference is consistency.
Kara
I loved these (despite a disastrous powdered Swerve explosion when I accidentally hit the measuring cup against the beaters, ha)! I added some more and finished the recipe. They browned more than I’d have liked on top at about 40 minutes, but this didn’t affect the taste. This may have been because I’d had the oven on a higher temperature to bake a spaghetti squash and only gave it about 5 minutes to come down to the lower temperature. Didn’t matter as the texture was perfect and they tasted so refreshing! Loved the lemon flavour!
Traci
Followed the recipe, baked for one hour, checked, poof!!! Collapsed at the slightest bit of pressure. Did I beat too long?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Traci, One possible cause could be older egg whites. But the most common reason is beating them too quickly at too high speed, because this can form large, unstable air bubbles. Start at low or medium speed, and then increase only when they become foamy.
Marysue Peters
I loved reading about this cookie, sugar free lemon meringue, but it never actually showed the 4 ingredients ! I’d love to make these. Need to know ingredients.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Marysue, Are you in Safari reading mode? The ingredients are on the recipe card above, but might not show up in reading mode. If you turn that off you should see them.
Dana M
I couldn’t get the egg whites to form stiff peaks.
I tried twice.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Dana, Sorry to hear that! It’s hard to say what happened without more detail. Did you use a hand mixer? Did you try cream of tartar? Is there any chance that a tiny bit of yolk made it into the bowl?
Linda Wootton
I must’ve done a few things wrong. The cookies were way too sweet and they didn’t set up right. Overall, it was a big flop. I may try again or just move on to some other recipe. I did enjoy making them but I was just really disappointed. I’ve been on the keto diet for a while and lost 15 pounds. Some sweet things just taste too sweet now that I’m not eating sugar. Thank you for all the work you do to find the us good recipes.
Hannah M.
Hi Maya! I want to try & make 2 new flavors of your meringue cookies – Honey-Lavender & Maple-Butter – I’m just not quite sure how since both honey & real maple syrup are both “liquid”. I’ve already mixed 1 batch of lemon (using juice concentrate & about 4 drops of lemon essential oil); 1 batch of vanilla rum (using cream of tartar, rum extract, my own homemade vanilla & scraped seeds of 2 small vanilla beans from my vanilla). But, I’d still really like to try making the Honey-Lavender & Maple-Butter as well! Any help would be greatly appreciated! & thanks in advance!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Hannah, I recommend using extracts. You can find both maple and honey extract to do that.
Beth
I am a very sensitive diabetic. Powdered erythritol raises my sugars, don’t ask me why. If I replaced the 1/4 cup of Powdered erythritol, how much Splenda can I use in its place?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Beth, I haven’t tested it with Splenda but the amount would be approximately the same, maybe slightly more. One thing to consider – have you tested the impact of Splenda on your blood sugar? It contains maltodextrin, which is sugar, so is much more likely to raise blood sugar than erythritol.
Christine Schindler
Where are my free downloads?: free sweetener guide & free eBook
I’ve gotten lots of emails from my signing up, but not the promised downloads.
I will use without the “zest”. Too many oxalates in the skin of citrus fruits for those of us who form kidney stones. Look forward to discovering more treats that are compatible for my Type II diabetes.
If I don’t have the lemon juice, how much cream of tartar? 1/2 t.?
If I don’t use the zest, how much vanilla? 1 1/2 tablespoon?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Christine,
So sorry about that! There was a glitch with the emails that’s fixed now, so you should have received your downloads now.
You can use about 1/4 tsp of cream of tartar instead of 1/2 tsp lemon juice. If you’re adding vanilla, the amount is 1/2 tsp as well.
Malcolm
Try putting a bit—experiment—of mascarpone cheese in to make the whipped peaks stand up and salute.