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The completed pavlova on the white marble cooktop, garnished with mint leaves and a dusting of icing sugar. Slices reveal the crispy meringue shell with creamy, fruit-filled center, ready to serve.

Christmas Pavlova Recipe

This pavlova is a show-stopping dessert with a crisp meringue shell, a soft marshmallowy center, and a lavish topping of whipped cream and fresh berries. It’s perfect for any celebration!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 290 kcal

Equipment

  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Large mixing bowl
  • medium mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Baking tray
  • Baking parchment
  • Piping bag (optional)
  • Large spoon or spatula
  • Fine mesh strainer or sieve
  • Small cup
  • Knife and Cutting Board

Ingredients
  

For the Pavlova:

  • 6 large free-range egg whites
  • 350 g 12oz caster sugar
  • 1 tsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp cornflour cornstarch

For the Filling:

  • 600 ml 20fl oz double cream, cold
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 50 g 1¾oz icing sugar, sifted
  • 200 g 7oz strawberries, hulled and quartered
  • 300 g 10½oz raspberries
  • 200 g 7oz blueberries
  • 50 g 1¾oz pomegranate seeds
  • A few mint leaves to decorate (optional)
  • Icing sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

Making the Pavlova:

  • Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C Fan/Gas 3. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment and draw a 30cm (12in) circle. Draw a smaller 15cm (6in) circle inside to create a ring as a guide.
  • In a clean mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
  • Gradually add the caster sugar, a spoonful at a time, whisking on high speed until the meringue is stiff and glossy.
  • Mix the white wine vinegar and cornflour in a small cup until smooth, then gently fold this into the meringue.
    A small cup on the white marble cooktop containing a mixture of white wine vinegar and cornflour. This stabilizing mixture is gently folded into the glossy meringue.
  • Spoon the meringue onto the prepared parchment, following the circle to make a ring. Create a shallow trench in the meringue for the cream and fruit filling.
    The meringue spooned onto a parchment-lined tray on the white marble cooktop, shaped carefully into a ring with a shallow trench in the center, prepared to hold cream and fruit filling.
  • Place the meringue in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 140°C/120°C Fan/Gas 1. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until the outside is crisp but still white.
    The baking tray placed into the oven at 160°C on the white marble cooktop as the temperature is immediately reduced to 140°C. The pavlova bakes for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, achieving a crisp, white exterior.
  • Turn off the oven and leave the pavlova inside to cool for at least an hour or overnight.
    The pavlova cooling inside the turned-off oven for at least an hour or overnight, allowing it to set fully while preserving the delicate, crisp meringue shell.

Assembling the Pavlova:

  • In a bowl, whip the double cream, vanilla bean paste, and icing sugar until stiff peaks form.
    A mixing bowl on the white marble cooktop filled with cold double cream, vanilla bean paste, and sifted icing sugar. The mixture is whipped to stiff peaks, forming a smooth filling for the pavlova.
  • Spoon the whipped cream into the trench on the pavlova.
  • Arrange the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and pomegranate seeds on top.
    The cooled pavlova ring on the white marble cooktop, filled with whipped cream in the central trench. A colorful assortment of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and pomegranate seeds is arranged on top.
  • Decorate with a few mint leaves if desired and dust with icing sugar before serving.
    The completed pavlova on the white marble cooktop, garnished with mint leaves and a dusting of icing sugar. Slices reveal the crispy meringue shell with creamy, fruit-filled center, ready to serve.
  • Slice into wedges and serve this stunning berry pavlova to delight your guests!