Description
A stunning and festive dessert made with light meringue, whipped cream, and fresh fruits, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300g) caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup strawberries, halved
- 2 passion fruits, pulp only
- ½ cup chocolate-dipped strawberries (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Chocolate star or festive topper
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 250°F (120°C). While the oven warms up, take three baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. Draw circles on the parchment for guidance: a 10-inch circle on one, an 8-inch on another, and a 6-inch on the third.
- In a clean, dry mixing bowl, add your room temperature egg whites. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks begin to form. Gradually introduce the caster sugar, allowing for complete incorporation, then increase the speed to high and continue beating until you achieve stiff peaks.
- Once your egg white mixture reaches the right consistency, gently fold in the cornstarch, white vinegar, and vanilla extract using a spatula.
- Using your spatula, divide the meringue into three portions. Carefully spread each portion within the guideline circles. Create a slight dome in the center of each layer to mimic the tree shape. Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. After cooking, turn off the oven and allow the meringue to cool completely inside.
- While the meringue cools, take your chilled heavy cream and combine it with the powdered sugar (if using) and vanilla extract. Use the electric mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks form.
- Once the meringue layers are completely cool, assemble your dessert starting with the largest layer as your base. Spread a generous amount of whipped cream and then layer fresh fruits. Repeat with the middle layer.
- Finally, top it with the smallest layer, adding more cream and fruit for a beautiful finish. Lightly dust the entire tree with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, but keep it in a single layer to maintain the meringue’s crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 300 per serving
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Protein: 4 g