In this vibrant holiday dessert, cocoa shortbread is pressed into an even layer, baked, then topped with swoops of peppermint meringue (optionally swirled with red food coloring).

Back into a low oven it goes for about 2 hours, until the meringue becomes crisp and chewy. Once cooled, it's cut into rough, jagged pieces.

If you don’t have a stand mixer, the shortbread and meringue can be made with a hand mixer or entirely by hand. The mixing times will be significantly longer, so follow the visual cues instead.