Merry Tree Wreath Recipes

MARY BERRY'S CHRISTMAS PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/315°F/Gas 3. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and draw a 30cm circle on the paper. Draw a 15cm circle in the centre of the 30cm circle.
• Put six egg whites into a mixing bowl and whisk with an electric whisk until they look like clouds. Gradually add the sugar a little at a time, whisking on maximum speed until they are stiff and glossy. Mix the vinegar and cornflour in a cup until smooth, then stir into the bowl.
• Spoon the meringue between the 2 circles on the baking parchment, to make a wreath shape. Using a large spoon, make a trench in the meringue for the cream and fruit to sit in. Slide into the oven, then immediately reduce the temperature to 140°C/120°C fan/275°F/Gas 1 and bake for 1 hour-1 hour 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave the pavlova inside for an hour or overnight to dry.
• To assemble, whip the cream, vanilla and icing sugar until just stiff. Spoon the cream into the trench in the meringue. Arrange the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and pomegranate on top and decorate with a few mint leaves, if using. To serve, dust with icing sugar and cut in wedges.The pavlova can be made up to 1 month ahead and stored: wrap it in clingfilm and then foil and keep in a cool place.

MERRY TREE WREATH

Steps:

• Shape wreath into tree (triangle) shape. (If wreath is difficult to shape easily by hand, try this method: Using a wire cutter, divide the circular wired form on the back of the wreath into 3 equal parts. Make one cut each in the inner and center wire form to make bending into shape easier; shape into tree -triangle- shape.)
• Group dogwood sticks tightly together in a bunch; wrap 1 piece of the florist wire around sticks to secure and twist wire tightly with pliers. Glue dogwood sticks to bottom center of tree to create trunk. Decorate wreath with ornaments.
• Make a bow with ribbon; tie with another piece of florist wire. Attach bow to bottom of tree, just above the trunk. Use decorative door hanger to hang wreath from door. If hanging wreath on wall, make loop with third piece of florist wire and attach to back of wreath.