Pavlova Christmas Tree
A stunning and delicious dessert made from light meringue, sweet whipped cream, and fresh fruits, perfect for festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Meringue Ingredients
- ⅔ cup egg whites (from 5 - 6 large eggs, at room temperature)
- 1 ¼ cups caster sugar (superfine white sugar)
- 2 ½ tsp cornflour/cornstarch
- 1 ¼ tsp white vinegar
Fruit and Toppings
- 250 g frozen or fresh raspberries (no need to thaw)
- 2 tbsp caster sugar (superfine white sugar) for the raspberries
- 2 cups thickened/heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp caster sugar (superfine white sugar) for whipping cream
- 10 pieces medium strawberries, cut into 1.75cm / 3/4" rounds These serve as 'Strawberry Pillars'.
- 12 pieces strawberries cut into 1cm dices For scattering between layers.
- 125 g raspberries for decoration
- 16 sprigs small sprigs of rosemary
- 2 tbsp icing sugar/powdered sugar (for dusting)
- More strawberries (diced), raspberries, blueberries, and any other fruit you fancy! Optional.
Other
- 1 28cm/11" bamboo skewer – or 2 shorter skewers
- 1 Christmas tree star topper (edible or not, sticky taped to a toothpick)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Meringue for Pavlova
- Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, slowly add caster sugar, cornflour, and vinegar until you get stiff peaks.
Piping Pavlova Rounds
- Pipe meringue into round shapes on the baking sheets to form the base of the tree.
Bake
- Bake your meringue rounds until they are crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Raspberry Coulis
- Blend raspberries and sugar until smooth (make at least 2 hours ahead).
Whip Cream
- In a separate bowl, whip thickened cream with vanilla and sugar until soft peaks form.
Construction
- Layer the meringue rounds with whipped cream, adding strawberry pillars and diced strawberries in between.
Decorate
- Top the tree with decorations like berries, rosemary sprigs, and your star topper.
Serving
- Serve right away for the best texture!
Notes
Ensure your mixing bowl and beaters are completely clean before whipping egg whites, as any grease can prevent them from whipping properly. Be gentle when layering the meringue with cream and fruit to avoid breaking the delicate meringue. Feel free to choose your favorite fruits for decoration – anything goes!