Description
Festive pavlova christmas tree delights holiday gatherings with its whimsical meringue design. Crisp edges, pillowy center, and elegant decoration make this sweet centerpiece an irresistible seasonal showstopper you’ll want to share with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) caster sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Binding and Stabilizing Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
Decorative Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- Assorted fresh berries
- Fresh mint leaves
- Edible gold dust
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by heating oven to 250°F and positioning two parchment-lined baking sheets for meringue layers.
- Create pristine meringue by whisking egg whites until soft peaks develop, then gradually incorporate sugar while continuing to beat until mixture becomes glossy and forms stiff, elegant peaks.
- Delicately fold vinegar and cornstarch into meringue, maintaining its airy texture and structural integrity.
- Sketch progressively smaller circular templates on parchment paper, guiding the creation of tree-shaped meringue layers ranging from wide base to narrow top.
- Carefully spoon meringue onto traced circles, sculpting smooth, uniform layers with precise spatula movements.
- Bake meringue layers for 90 minutes until completely crisp and pale ivory, then allow gradual cooling inside oven with door slightly opened to prevent cracking.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft, billowy peaks form, storing chilled until assembly time.
- Construct tree by strategically stacking meringue circles from largest diameter to smallest, generously layering whipped cream between each delicate disc.
- Embellish pavlova tree with vibrant fresh berries and emerald mint leaves, adding sparkle with delicate edible gold dust.
- Present immediately, slicing through layers like a festive cake to reveal intricate architectural design.
Notes
- Egg White Precision: Use room temperature eggs for maximum volume and ensure no yolk contaminates the whites to guarantee perfect meringue structure.
- Meringue Stability: Add cream of tartar or white vinegar to stabilize egg whites and prevent weeping during baking.
- Moisture Management: Keep the meringue completely dry by baking at low temperature and allowing slow cooling to prevent cracking or softening.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Create meringue layers a day before assembly to reduce holiday kitchen stress and ensure crisp texture.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular sugar with coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index or use aquafaba for vegan guests wanting similar texture.
- Decorative Options: Replace berries with seasonal fruits like pomegranate seeds or sugared cranberries for winter variation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Australian/New Zealand
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 120mg