Description
This delightful Meringue Christmas Wreath is a stunning and festive dessert featuring crisp, airy meringue circles baked to perfection, topped with a luscious mascarpone whipped cream and vibrant, fresh fruit garnishes. Perfect for holiday celebrations, this recipe combines the light sweetness of meringue with rich cream and colorful, fresh berries, creating an impressive centerpiece that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.
Ingredients
Scale
Meringue
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mascarpone Whipped Cream
- 1 1/2 cups Shamrock Farms Heavy Whipping Cream, very cold
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 drops natural green food coloring
Garnishes
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Sugared cranberries
- Pomegranate seeds
- Rosemary sprigs
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 225˚F (110˚C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the meringue from sticking.
- Beat Egg Whites: Place the room temperature egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium speed for about 1 minute until the egg whites become foamy.
- Add Sugar Gradually: Increase the mixer speed to high and add the caster sugar one spoonful at a time, pausing between each addition. Continue beating for about 8 minutes until the meringue is glossy and forms stiff peaks. Then add the cornstarch, white vinegar, and vanilla extract, and beat for another 30 seconds until fully combined.
- Pipe Meringue Circles: Use a small amount of meringue to stick down the corners of the parchment paper on the baking sheet. Using a round piping tip, pipe 2-inch diameter meringue circles spaced about 1 inch apart. Make a small indentation in the center of each circle with a spoon to hold the topping.
- Bake and Cool Meringues: Bake the piped meringue circles for 60 to 75 minutes until they are dry to the touch. After baking, turn off the oven and leave the meringues inside to cool completely for 2 hours; this prevents cracking.
- Make Mascarpone Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, combine the cold heavy whipping cream, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and green food coloring. Beat at medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes until soft peaks form.
- Assemble the Wreath: Arrange the cooled meringue circles in a wreath shape on a large serving platter. Use two piping tips to pipe the mascarpone whipped cream onto each meringue circle: one larger tip to fill the centers and a smaller tip for decorative filling and gaps.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate the wreath with fresh strawberries, raspberries, sugared cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and rosemary sprigs for a festive look. Just before serving, dust the wreath with powdered sugar to create a snowy effect.
Notes
- Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for better volume when beating.
- Add superfine caster sugar slowly to achieve a stable, glossy meringue.
- Allow meringues to cool gradually in the oven to prevent cracking.
- Use very cold heavy cream for easier whipping and better texture.
- Natural green food coloring gives a festive hue without overpowering flavors.
- Decorate just before serving to maintain freshness and appearance.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Keywords: Christmas wreath dessert, meringue wreath, holiday dessert, mascarpone whipped cream, baked meringue, festive dessert, berry dessert
