Christmas Pavlova Wreath – cheats version!

How beautiful does my Christmas Wreath Pavlova look?

This is ridiculously easy — essentially a simple assembly job. I almost skipped a recipe card, but you’ll find the full recipe details below as always.

I’m all for making life easier, and sometimes it’s perfectly fine to put something together quickly, especially when it looks this stunning.

You don’t need to make everything from scratch every time. If you’re short on time, this is perfect.

All the main components here are shop-bought. You don’t even need to turn on your oven unless you want to. If you can’t find ready-made meringues, I mention a meringue recipe option below.

TOP TIP

This pavlova is at its best right after you assemble it. Shop-bought meringues aren’t as sturdy as homemade ones and will soften more quickly.

Try to make it just before you serve it for the best texture and appearance.

Pretty Festive Pavlova

LOOK AT IT! Could it look any more Christmassy?

Fifteen to twenty minutes and you’re done. A fresh, festive dessert that will wow your guests.

Step by step to your festive Cheat Pavlova Wreath

Step 1

Arrange eight shop-bought meringue nests in a circle on a pretty large plate.

Step 2 – Raspberry coulis & cream

Whip double cream until thick and stiff, either by hand or with an electric mixer. Spoon or pipe a generous dollop onto each meringue nest.

Drizzle shop-bought raspberry coulis over the cream. If you can’t find coulis, crush raspberries with a little icing sugar and sieve if you prefer a seedless sauce.

Step 3 – Fill your pavlova wreath

Spoon additional dollops of cream between the meringue nests to disguise the gaps and help form a continuous wreath shape. Drizzle a little more raspberry coulis over these areas for a pretty, flowing look.

Step 4 – Decorate

Finish by decorating with seasonal fruit and greenery. I used strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and sprigs of rosemary, then dusted everything lightly with icing sugar to look like snow. Chill briefly, then serve.

How long can I make my pavlova before I eat it?

Make it as close to your event as possible — it only takes around 20 minutes to assemble. For best texture, serve immediately after assembling. Shop-bought meringues soften faster than homemade ones, so the sooner you serve, the better.

Homemade Meringue Recipe

If you prefer to make your own meringues, dollop or pipe them into a circular wreath shape and bake or dry them according to your chosen recipe. Homemade meringues will hold up better if you need to assemble a little ahead of time.

Other Festive Desserts

If you like this easy pavlova, you might also enjoy a no-bake Christmas cheesecake — another simple, impressive option.

Alternative: Ice Cream Christmas Pudding

An ice cream construction dessert is a great make-ahead option and kids love it. It’s basically an ice cream cake assembled into a festive shape.

Savoury Christmas Wreath?

Try a savoury sausage roll wreath for an impressive savoury centrepiece — equally festive and simple to prepare.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas. Be safe.

Love Clare xx