Delicious Holiday Wreath Meringues with Berries & Cream Recipe
Delight your holiday celebrations with these beautiful and delicious Holiday Wreath Meringues topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. Light, crisp meringue rings tinted green evoke festive spirit, while a luscious whipped cream topping and garnishes of red currants or cranberries and rosemary sprigs create a stunning and tasty centerpiece dessert perfect for the season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 meringue wreaths 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Meringue
- 4 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (a few drops)
Topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Garnish
- Fresh red currants or cranberries
- Mini rosemary sprigs
- Edible pearls or red sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the meringues from sticking during baking.
- Beat egg whites: In a clean mixing bowl, add the room temperature egg whites and cream of tartar. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat until soft peaks start to form.
- Add sugar and beat to stiff peaks: Gradually add the granulated sugar while continuously beating. Continue mixing until the egg whites are thick, glossy, and hold stiff peaks.
- Fold in flavoring and color: Gently fold in the vanilla extract and a few drops of green gel food coloring until evenly combined, taking care not to deflate the meringue.
- Pipe wreath shapes: Fit a piping bag with a star tip and fill it with the meringue mixture. Pipe ring shapes onto the parchment-lined baking sheet to mimic wreaths.
- Bake meringues low and slow: Carefully place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 1½ hours. After baking, turn off the oven and leave the meringues inside to cool gradually for an additional hour. This prevents cracking and ensures crisp texture.
- Prepare whipped cream topping: In a clean bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Whip the mixture until soft peaks form.
- Assemble the wreaths: Once the meringues have completely cooled, pipe a generous swirl of whipped cream on top of each wreath.
- Garnish and serve: Decorate each wreath with fresh red currants or cranberries, mini rosemary sprigs, and optional edible pearls or red sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for better volume when whipped.
- Low and slow baking is essential to dry out meringues without browning.
- Handle meringue gently when folding in ingredients to keep them airy.
- Store assembled meringues in a cool place and consume the same day for best texture.
- The green gel food coloring is for festive visual appeal but can be omitted for natural meringues.
Keywords: holiday dessert, meringue wreath, Christmas dessert, whipped cream topping, festive dessert, berry garnish
