The decorated Christmas meringue wreath atop a cutting board.

A Wonderful Meringue Wreath for Christmas- Vibrant and Delicious

1 Comment / Recipes / By
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Let the countdown to Christmas begin! Here we find ourselves only one week away from celebrating Jesus’ birthday.

Don’t panic- take a deep breath and realize that Christmas isn’t about everything being perfect. No, Christmas is about much, much more than that.

Unfortunately, this week, my little crew has been a bit under the weather. Therefore, it has been an exhausting week for mom! However, we have relished reading the Christmas story from the Bible, while also enjoying sweet snuggles… and some cheeky hot chocolate. We even managed to make our way into the kitchen for some baking and decorating. Time together in the kitchen always seems to make us feel better. 

Moreover, my Happy Hawks Homeschool crew and I would like to share our English meringue wreath recipe with you. This is a flexible dessert that looks lovely on the Christmas table. Unsurprisingly, we added a few twists to our normal recipe this year. (Some twists I liked better than others.) Again, Christmas isn’t about being perfect- but it is about a perfect gift the world received. 

Please join me and my family as we prepare, yet another, Christmas recipe to celebrate the coming of Christmas. If you don’t mind a bit of whipped cream on your nose- and a dusting of powdered sugar on your clothes- then you are in for a treat- a Christmas treat.

~Meringue Memories~

As is often the case, my meringue wreath has an English inspiration. But let me go back even further into my past. Ever since I was a young girl, I observed my mom in the kitchen whipping up her famous meringues. These meringues were only made for special occasions… so when me and my siblings heard the whirl of the mixer, we knew we were in for a treat. 

Fast-forward a few more years to when I was living in Australia. I was introduced to pavlova for the first time. This meringue wreath is very similar to the pavlova I had in Australia. 

Basically, pavlova is meringue, cream, and fruit. The meringue wreath is the same- just decorated in a festive way to resemble a Christmas wreath. Such fun!

~Meringues Meld into a Christmas Wreath~

Because of these past experiences, I was no stranger to meringues. So, when I stumbled across the idea of making meringues into a lovely Christmas wreath, I was intrigued. Intrigued to try this fancy dessert.

In fact, if memory serves me, my husband and I were watching The Great British Bake Off when we were introduced to the idea of a meringue wreath. As we watched, I tucked the festive idea into the back of my mind. 

Over the years, my family and I have produced a few of our own renditions of this festive treat.

~My First Meringue Rendition~

Each time you make a new recipe you learn new things. My first rendition of a meringue wreath featured non-colored whipped cream, fruit, and mint leaves. I piped multiple spiral shaped circles to form the shape of my wreath (in hindsight this is the piping method I prefer).

Also, I did not color my homemade whipped cream. (The cream-colored whip is also my preferred look).

However, this year, my children and I wanted to make a few changes. (That is the beauty of baking- experimenting is encouraged and also necessary to learn). Undoubtably, next year I will again make a few changes. Maybe in another ten years, I will have perfected my craft? I look forward to the lessons I learn while striving to get there.

My first Christmas meringue wreath.
*

~So, What Exactly Is a Meringue? ~

Meringues are a delightful treat to sample… if you have never done so before. They are made with only a few basic ingredients- making this an economical choice. The simple ingredients that make up a meringue are as follows: egg whites, granulated sugar (or caster sugar), and vanilla (optional).

The meringue wreath recipe includes a splash of vinegar and cornstarch. These ingredients are for added stability. Meringues are naturally quite delicate.

If I was asked to describe the texture of a meringue I would say, crunchy on the outside and fluffy soft (maybe slightly chewy), on the inside.

Meringues are sweet and a delight to eat. Perfect as a base layer to add cream, fruit, or even chocolate to.

~Let's Make Some Magical, Melt in Your Mouth, Meringue~

The fully decorated Christmas meringue wreath is on a dining table and ready to be served.
Elizabeth

Meringue Wreath

A meringue wreath is a beautiful Christmas treat to share with loved ones. The meringue base is topped with homemade whipped cream and sugared fruits.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings: 10
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: English
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Egg Whites
  • 1 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 tsp Cornstarch
  • 1 tsp Rice Vinegar (White vinegar would work as well)
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla

Equipment

  • 1 Stand mixer (a handheld mixer will work as well)

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F. Draw an inner and outer circle on a piece of parchment paper. This will help keep your wreath shape round.
  2. Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  3. Whisk the whites, for approximately one minute, and then slowly add the sugar.
  4. Whisk on high speed until the egg whites are shiny and stiff. (This takes about 8-9 minutes).
  5. Add the cornstarch and vinegar to a separate bowl and mix together. Then add the vinegar mix to the egg whites.
  6. Gently fold in vanilla.
  7. Pipe individual spirals- onto the circular shaped (preciously drawn)- parchment paper. Then use the back of a spoon to smooth out the top. (This is where the whipped cream and fruit will sit).
  8. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Then, turn off the oven, and allow the meringue to completely cool inside the oven.
  9. Once the meringue is cooked and completely cooled. Add the homemade whipped cream and decorate with fruit or sugared fruit. Finally, give the finished meringue wreath a dusting of powdered sugar and serve.

Notes

*See my homemade whipped cream recipe and my sugared berries recipe to complete the look. The meringue… or the whipped cream, can be colored with food coloring. Or, if preferred, they can both be left their natural creamy color.

~Come On Into The Kitchen~

This is how Happy Hawks Homeschool makes meringues festive. Let me walk you through with some photographs I took along the way. 

The ingredients for a meringue wreath on a kitchen countertop.
*Our meringue wreath ingredients laid out in front of the Christmas tree. Oh, how festive we can be!
Vinegar and corn starch set out on a tray to be added to the whipped meringue.
*Mix the rice vinegar and the cornstarch together to form a loose paste. This helps to stabilize the meringue.
*Egg whites are whisked on high speed until they begin to turn white and thicken.
Meringue whipped to the stiff peak stage.
*Stiff peaks mean that when you pull your mixing utensil out of the meringue- it holds its shape.
Vanilla is folded into the raw meringue mixture.
*Folding the vanilla and the vinegar and cornstarch mixture in by hand, ensures a gentle mix that is easier to control.
Whipped meringue ready to be baked and decorated.
*The egg whites and sugar become glossy, smooth, fluffy, and stiff when they are ready to be piped and baked.
Merigue is added to a pipping bag to form the wreath shape before baking.
*Using a piping bag is not an absolute necessity. You can also scoop, drop, shape, and smooth with a regular kitchen spoon if you need.
The wreath shape is drawn onto a piece of parchment paper.
*Draw two circles on a piece of parchment paper to create your iconic wreath shape. I like to mark my wreath shape (very dark) and then flip the parchment paper over on the side I have not marked on. This wreath shape does not need to be perfect as you can shape the wreath more as you pipe. Just a basic circle, with a smaller interior circle, will do.
The pipped meringue ready to be baked.
*I piped the meringue straight out in a thick dollop. However, I found I prefer to pipe the meringue in a tight spiral. One spiral and then the next- forming the shape of a circle. It makes the inside ring more scalloped. This step can be done however you see fit.
A spoon is used to flatten the top of the meringue wreath.
*Once piped, use the back of a spoon to create a little crater all the way around. This is where your cream and fruit will later sit.
The meringue wreath has been piped on to the parchment paper and is ready to go into the oven.
*Creativity is encouraged. You can make a smaller, fatter wreath or a more uneven wreath along the edges. Just be creative.

~Out of the Oven~

Baked meringue wreath is out of the oven and resting on the kitchen counterop.
*Baked meringue is fragile... so handle with care. I like to use an icing knife to gently slide under the wreath and parchment paper. This way, you release any bits that are stuck to the paper.
The baked meringue wreath waiting to be iced and decorated.
*Once the meringue is free of the parchment paper, gently slide it onto your serving vessel. I used a cutting board as I find this is generally the right size. If your meringue happens to crack, do not panic as a bit of whipped cream covers many imperfections.

~Now for the Homemade Whipped Cream~

The green whipped cream is pipped onto the wreath to look like greenery,
Elizabeth

Homemade Christmas Whipped Cream

Homemade whipped cream is easy to make and delicious to eat. By adding a few drops of food coloring, you can transform the basic cream-colored cream into a festive green.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 3-5 Tbsp Powdered Sugar (to suit your taste)
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 2-3 drops Green Food Coloring *The food coloring is optional

Equipment

  • 1 Stand mixer (or hand mixer)

Method
 

  1. To a glass measuring cup, add the heavy whipping cream and your food coloring (if using). Stir until evenly combined.
  2. Pour the green heavy whipping cream into the bowl of a stand mixer. Whip for one minute, and then slowly add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Being careful not to over whip the cream.
  3. Now the cream is ready to pipe (or just spread) on the top of your Christmas meringue wreath. Top with fresh fruit, or sugared fruit, if desired.

~The Recipe Tweaks We Made This Year~

Alas, we have reached the part, I would probably not tweak again. Hey ho.

My daughter and I thought it would be fun to use a wee bit of food coloring to make our whipped cream green… in order to look more realistic. However, homemade whipped cream is not exactly the same texture and consistency of say… a frosting, so adding the food coloring can be difficult (in my experience) to get the right color.

We liked the overall look of the green wreath, but at times, green cream is not as appetizing as the original creamy white color of freshly whipped cream. However, we never learn if we do not at least try new ideas. If you prefer to leave the whipped cream white, then by all means know that it will indeed be beautiful.

In my opinion, homemade whipped cream is a necessity for this meringue wreath recipe as it cuts the sweetness of the meringue and sugared fruits. I added 3-4 tablespoons of powdered sugar to my heavy whipping cream, but you can add more or less to suit your individual preference.

This combination of meringue, cream, and fruit is basically an iconic pavlova. 

Green food coloring added to the homemade whipped cream.
The green whipped green is ready to be pipped onto the baked meringue wreath.
I could not find both parts of my icing coupler, so I had to improvise with a ponytail holder. Thankfully, it worked!
The green whipped cream is pipped onto the wreath to look like greenery,
The pipped Christmas meringue wreath.
*My idea was to have the green whipped cream be uneven and textured- to resemble the greenery on a live wreath. However, I had to smile as it kind of gives off green "grinch-mas" vibes. 🙂

*To see another recipe that features a homemade whipped cream click here:

~Snow Berries (Sugared Berries)- A Beautiful Delight~

Cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries after being coated in sugar.
Elizabeth

Simple Syrup (Sugared Berries)

A simple syrup is made with equal parts sugar and water. Fruit is then soaked in the simple syrup and allowed to dry before coating in granulated sugar. This makes a lovely, sweet, and sparkly fruit- that is perfect for decorating any baked treat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1.5 Cups Berries
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar (set aside) (This sugar is for rolling your berries in after their simply syrup soak)

Method
 

  1. Place one cup of sugar and one cup of water in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Stir and slowly bring to a simmer (until all the sugar is dissolved) The mixture will slowly start to thicken, but don't allow this mixture to boil. Turn off the heat.
  2. Add washed berried to the sugar syrup. Coat all berries and allow them to sit in the simple syrup for 15 minutes.
  3. Remove the berries from the syrup with a slotted spoon. Place the berries on a piece of parchment paper to dry. Evenly space the berries out- so that they are not touching. Allow the berries to air dry for 45 minutes. The berries will still be tacky to the touch.
  4. Roll the berries into the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Coat the berries and they are ready to decorate your meringue wreath.

Notes

*The sugared berries are best used immediately. Otherwise, store the sugared berries in an airtight container.
*In my experience, I have had success with blueberries, and cranberries but other fruits can be experimented with. If the fruits are exposed to too much air, they will get soft and mushy as opposed to kind of crunchy sugared when they are first made.
*Save the left-over simple syrup as it is a delicious addition to drinks and other baked recipes.

~Sugared Berries- a Bit Extra~

This step is not really necessary as fresh fruit can be added by itself to decorate the meringue wreath. Plus, a dusting of powdered sugar goes on at the very end, so the excess sugar is not needed. However, there is just something about the sparkle- that the sugar gives these berries- that reminds me of a winter wonderland.

The simple syrup for the Christmas berries is beginning to bubble on the cooktop.
*Simple syrup- easy to make- and very useful to have on hand at Christmas time.
Fresh berries are washed before being added to a simple syrup.
*Wash the berries well. Aren't fresh fruits a thing of beauty?
The fresh berries have been added to the simple syrup,
*Once the syrup is made, allow the berries to soak in this mixture for about 12-15 minutes.
Leftover simple syrup is stored to a canning jar.
*Save the simple syrup after you have removed your fruit. It is a delicious ingredient to add to other recipes and drinks. Waste not, want not.

*For more simple syrup recipes check out this post.

Simple syrup coated Christmas berries.
*Shiny from the syrup bath. Allow the berries to dry on parchment paper for about 30-40 minutes (or until tacky).
The berries have been coated in the simple syrup and are then allowed to dry on a piece of parchment paper.
The simple syrup berries are being rolled in granulated sugar,
*The cranberries and blueberries did the best with this sugar treatment. The raspberries, while delicious, were a bit soft and wanted to absorb the sugar more than the other fruits.
Cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries after being coated in sugar.
The fruit for the meringue wreath has been sprinkled with granulated sugar and is drying on the counterop.
*Once your sugared berries have been made, they are best used immediately. Otherwise, store the berries in an airtight container. However, I have always found that sugared fruits do capture the moisture in the air, and therefore, can quickly become a bit mushy.

~A Few Sparkling Sprigs of Rosemary~

Rosemary has been dipped in a simple syrup and coasted in granulated sugar before adding to the meringue wreath.
*The fresh rosemary coated in the sugar reminded me of real evergreen tree branches- covered in a dusting of snow. However, rosemary does impart a specific flavor so if you prefer, mint can be used as well.
Fresh rosemary coated in granulated sugar and drying on a piece of parchemnt.

~Don't Forget the Pretty Plate and Citrus! ~

A vintage Christmas tree plate.
*Of course, no post of mine would be complete without adding a vintage find. Charming Christmas plates, like this, can be picked up at your local thrift store for just a few dollars. If you place the plate in front of Christmas tree lights or add a little candle behind them- they create a lovely, enchanting moment.
The sugared berries and rosemary in a vintage Christmas dish.
*These berries are good enough to eat right off the plate. Maybe not the rosemary though- I don't fancy a big bite of sugared rosemary.

Note: to see more thrifty ways to use vintage items to decorate your home for Christmas, check out my post here: Also, for another Christmas plate find, check out my Facebook post here:

Lemons and limes are coated in granulated sugar before decorating the meringue wreath.
*Lemons, limes, and oranges can all be used to decorate these meringue wreaths. I also like the slight citrus flavor they impart. However, I generally remove these before eating. These citrus slices can be candied... or simply used fresh, with a dip in granulated sugar (both sides).
The berries and fruit are ready to decorate the Christmas meringue wreath.
*I know I get a little carried away with my photos, but I think food look so beautiful behind the camera lens.

~Bringing the Meringue Wreath Together~

The fully decorated Christmas meringue wreath is on a dining table and ready to be served.
*I still prefer the meringue wreath with the non-colored whipped cream, but this is certainly festive. In the end, it tastes the same.
A Christmas meringue wreath with a candle decorating its center.
*The fruit at the top is meant to look like a bow or a ribbon that tops the wreath. A bit abstract, but you get the picture. You can decorate your meringue wreath in any way you see fit.
The meringue wreath receives a sprinkling of powdered sugar as a finishing touch.
*Now for the dusting of powdered sugar "snow."
A dusting of powdered sugar finished the Christmas meringue wreath off.
*With each tap of the hand on the side of the metal sieve, I could almost hear the "jingle, jingle" sound of little bells. Or maybe that is because the baby has been making me sing jingle bells to her over and over? 🙂
The fruit bow at the top of the meringue wreath.
The decorated Christmas meringue wreath atop a cutting board.

~Have A Slice and Stay Awhile~

A Christmas meringue wreath is a lovely way to end a festive meal with someone you love. So put on the kettle and have a seat.

A slice of the meringue wreath served on a Christmas plate.
*Inside the meringue you will find... a pillowy soft filling, that is almost cloud like. Think fluffy marshmallows and sweet cream- a Christmas dream.
The decorated meringue wreath on a cutting board.
A Christmas table set with the meringue wreath ready to be eaten.
A tray decorated with greenery for Christmas.
*This Venetian tray was purchased from a European auction, and it is one of my favorite things to decorate for Christmas. I love to add fresh foliage from the yard, some thrifted brass candle holders, and a crimson Christmas bow. Paired with my handmade Christmas bunting... and a warm little centerpiece was created.
A Venetian tray decorated with fresh foliage and thrifted candles.
The details of the Venetian tray.
*Intricate details impart such simple beauty.

~Until Next Time~

Well, like the wrapped presents under a Christmas tree, this wraps up another blog post.

I plan to share a smaller blog, right after Christmas, that will showcase some of the English foods, we will have on our Christmas menu. This post will be an amalgamation of mostly photographs… in order to keep things simple for me. Also, so that I might be present for what is most important: celebrating Jesus with my family on Christmas.

May God bless you all this Christmas season.  Be sure to subscribe to my blog if you have not already, so that you can stay tuned for any random, last-minute posts I may decide to squeeze in.  Also, remember to check out my Cotswold Kitchen Mom Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576612642003 for more inspiration.

Merry Christmas… and to all …a joyous week.

Merigue wreath leftovers stored in a Christmas cloche.
*Be sure to save a slice of the meringue wreath for a soothing cuppa tea.

1 thought on “A Wonderful Meringue Wreath for Christmas- Vibrant and Delicious”

Comments are closed.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy