Pavlova Christmas Trees are a fun and festive twist on the classic pavlova dessert. These mini pavlovas are shaped into cute little Christmas trees and topped with whipped cream, fresh berries, and other colorful decorations to make them look like beautiful holiday trees. They’re light, airy, and a perfect treat for Christmas celebrations!
Here’s a simple recipe to make Pavlova Christmas Trees:
Ingredients:
For the Pavlova:
- 4 large egg whites (at room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
For the Toppings:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional, for sweetening the cream)
- Fresh berries (such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries)
- Pomegranate seeds (optional, for added color)
- Chopped pistachios (optional, for texture and color)
- Edible gold or silver stars (optional, for decoration)
- Mint leaves (optional, for a "tree topper" look)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw small tree shapes on the paper as a guide for piping the pavlova. You can make about 6-8 mini trees, depending on size.
2. Whisk the Egg Whites:
- In a clean mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whisk the egg whites and a pinch of salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. This takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Sugar and Continue Whisking:
- Gradually add the granulated sugar, about a tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whisk on high speed. Whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form. The meringue should feel smooth between your fingers, without any grittiness from the sugar.
4. Add Vanilla, Vinegar, and Cornstarch:
- Gently fold in the vanilla extract, white vinegar, and cornstarch. The vinegar helps stabilize the meringue, and the cornstarch helps create a soft interior with a crisp exterior.
5. Pipe the Pavlova Trees:
- Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or use a plastic bag with the tip of the corner cut off). Pipe the meringue into tree shapes on the prepared baking sheet. Start from the bottom, creating layers of meringue that gradually get smaller as you go up to form the tree shape.
- If you prefer, you can also make small individual meringue circles and stack them on top of each other to create a tree-like structure.
6. Bake the Pavlova:
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the pavlovas are dry and crisp on the outside and can easily be lifted off the parchment paper. Avoid opening the oven door during baking, as this can cause the meringue to collapse.
- Once baked, turn off the oven and let the pavlovas cool completely in the oven with the door slightly ajar. This helps them maintain their shape.
7. Prepare the Whipped Cream:
- While the pavlovas are cooling, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar (if using) together in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form.
8. Assemble the Pavlova Christmas Trees:
- Once the pavlovas are completely cool, carefully remove them from the parchment paper.
- Pipe a swirl of whipped cream on top of each pavlova to resemble snow or tree decorations.
- Decorate the whipped cream with fresh berries, pomegranate seeds, chopped pistachios, and any other festive toppings you'd like.
- For a final touch, you can add a mint leaf at the top of each pavlova to resemble a Christmas tree topper.
9. Serve:
- Serve the Pavlova Christmas Trees immediately, or keep them chilled in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy.
Tips:
- Make-Ahead: You can make the pavlovas ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Add the whipped cream and decorations just before serving.
- Decorations: Feel free to get creative with your decorations. You can use edible glitter, small candy pieces, or colored sprinkles to make the trees even more festive.
- Flavor Variations: You can experiment with flavored whipped cream by adding a splash of vanilla extract, orange zest, or peppermint extract.
These Pavlova Christmas Trees are a delightful and elegant dessert to serve during the holiday season, combining the lightness of pavlova with the festive spirit of Christmas. Enjoy!