The crisp meringue with soft cream tastes so light and sweet. The colors of fruit and toppings make it look just like a little tree. It feels magical on the table.

I remember making this pavlova last Christmas. My family loved how pretty it looked, and it disappeared so fast. The mix of crunchy outside and soft inside made everyone smile.

That’s why I’m so happy to share it with you. It’s simple, festive, and so much fun to make. Let’s create this Christmas Tree Pavlova together.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Pavlova

Holiday Magic: The combination of the delicate, crisp meringue base and festive toppings makes this pavlova the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.
Showstopper: With its tree-shaped design and edible gold leaf, it’s sure to be the talk of your party.
Versatile: This dessert can be adapted to your preferences, whether you want to swap the mulled berries for other fruits or even change up the cream filling.
Fun to Make: This is an enjoyable and creative recipe to get involved in, especially when decorating with berries, whipped cream, and gold leaf.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The pavlova base can be made in advance and stored, which means less stress on the big day!

Required Kitchen Tools

Before you dive into the recipe, here are the tools you’ll need to make the Christmas Tree Pavlova:

Electric Mixer (Stand or Handheld): To whip the egg whites to perfection.
Baking Tray & Parchment Paper: For shaping and baking the meringue base.
Mixing Bowls: One for the meringue and one for the cream mixture.
Spatula: For gently spreading and shaping the meringue on the baking tray.
Sifter: To sift the cornflour and icing sugar, ensuring a smooth meringue.
Whisk: For whipping cream and combining the sour cream.
Decorating Tools: For assembling and decorating the pavlova, including a spoon, knife, and optional piping bag for perfect cream swirls.
Oven Thermometer: To make sure your meringue cooks at the right temperature.

Ingredients

Let’s get into the ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this Christmas tree pavlova to life:

For the Meringue:

8 Egg Whites (room temperature): This is the base of our pavlova and will give it its light, crispy texture.
1 tsp Cream of Tartar: Helps stabilize the egg whites for perfect peaks.
2 Cups (440g) Caster Sugar: For that sweet, melt-in-your-mouth meringue.
1 ½ tsp Cornflour (extra): Gives the meringue a light texture, making it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
2 tsp White Vinegar: This helps stabilize the meringue and gives it a slight tang.
Olive Oil Spray: For greasing the baking tray.

For the Cream Filling:

600ml Thickened Cream: This forms the luscious, creamy center for your pavlova.
250g Sour Cream: For an extra layer of richness and a slight tanginess to balance the sweetness.
1 tbsp Icing Sugar: To lightly sweeten the cream filling.

For the Mulled Berries:

½ Cup (125ml) Red Wine: Gives the berries a lovely depth of flavor.
¼ Cup (55g) Caster Sugar: To sweeten the wine and fruit mixture.
2 tsp Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the berries.
1 Cinnamon Stick: Gives a festive, spiced aroma and flavor.
1 Orange (rind finely grated and juiced): Adds citrus notes to the mulled wine and berries.
250g Strawberries (hulled and halved): For a sweet, juicy topping.
250g Raspberries: For a burst of color and tartness.
250g Blueberries: For a pop of deep color and flavor.

For Decoration:

Edible Gold Leaf: For a touch of elegance and glamour that will make your pavlova look truly spectacular.

Variations for the Christmas Tree Pavlova

While this recipe is already festive and flavorful, you can make small tweaks to suit your tastes and preferences:

Add Different Fruits: Feel free to swap the berries with other seasonal fruits like pomegranate seeds, kiwi slices, or even some finely chopped mango.
Use Whipped Coconut Cream: If you’re catering to a dairy-free audience, try using coconut cream instead of the thickened cream and sour cream mixture.
Top with Chocolate Shavings: For chocolate lovers, add some finely grated dark chocolate or chocolate curls on top.
Infuse with Different Spices: Try adding cloves, nutmeg, or cardamom to your mulled berries for a deeper spiced flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the Meringue Base

Whisk the Egg Whites:

Start by preheating your oven to 110°C (230°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly grease it with olive oil spray. Sift the cornflour and icing sugar together in a bowl.

Next, in a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites using an electric mixer on low speed until they start to form soft peaks. Once the egg whites are frothy, add the cream of tartar and increase the speed to high. Gradually add the caster sugar, about a tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. This should take about 8-10 minutes.

Add the Vinegar:

Once the meringue forms stiff, glossy peaks, gently fold in the cornflour and vinegar. The vinegar will stabilize the meringue, ensuring it holds its shape when baked.

Shape the Meringue:

Spoon the meringue mixture onto the prepared baking tray, shaping it into a large Christmas tree shape. You can either use a stencil or freehand it if you’re feeling confident. Use a spatula to smooth the edges and create a slight peak at the top of the tree for a more realistic look.

2. Baking the Meringue

Bake the meringue in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the meringue is dry to the touch and easily peels off the parchment paper. The low temperature ensures that the meringue cooks slowly, becoming crisp on the outside while remaining soft and marshmallowy on the inside. Once baked, turn off the oven and let the meringue cool completely in the oven with the door slightly ajar. This helps prevent cracking.

3. Prepare the Mulled Berries

While the meringue is baking, it’s time to prepare the mulled berries. In a saucepan, combine the red wine, caster sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, and orange zest and juice. Heat gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Once dissolved, bring it to a simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly.

Add the Berries:

Add the strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries to the pan and gently stir to coat them in the mulled syrup. Let them cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, just until the berries soften slightly. Remove the pan from the heat and set the mulled berries aside to cool.

4. Prepare the Cream Filling

In a separate bowl, beat the thickened cream and sour cream together until smooth and thickened. Add the icing sugar and whisk until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip the cream; you want it to be fluffy but not too stiff.

5. Assemble the Christmas Tree Pavlova

Once the meringue has cooled completely, carefully transfer it to a serving platter. Spoon the cream mixture onto the meringue, spreading it out evenly, leaving a small border around the edges to keep the shape intact.

6. Decorate the Tree

Now comes the fun part—decorating! Carefully spoon the mulled berries over the top of the pavlova, ensuring an even distribution of the vibrant berries. Drizzle some of the mulled syrup over the berries for extra flavor.

For an extra festive touch, garnish with edible gold leaf and a few extra zest shavings or finely chopped mint leaves to give the pavlova a magical, wintry look.

Storing the Christmas Tree Pavlova

Meringue Base: The meringue can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Cream and Berries: Assemble the pavlova on the day you plan to serve it, as the cream and berries will soften the meringue if left for too long.
Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. The meringue may soften slightly, but the pavlova will still taste delicious!

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	300 kcal
Carbs	40g
Fat	16g
Protein	3g
Sugar	35g

Conclusion

The Christmas Tree Pavlova is not only a stunning dessert, but it’s also delicious, light, and refreshing—a perfect end to your festive meal. The crispy meringue, paired with the creamy filling and tangy, mulled berries, creates a flavor profile that will have everyone coming back for seconds. This recipe allows for plenty of customization, so feel free to get creative with your toppings and decorations. Whether you’re hosting a large family dinner or bringing a dish to a potluck, this pavlova will surely make your holiday celebrations unforgettable.