If you've ever spent the festive season in the Southern Hemisphere, you know pavlova is a mainstay on most Christmas tables. Light, airy, and just generally delicious, this iconic meringue-based dessert is a crowd favourite for good reason. It’s got that perfect balance of crispy on the outside, soft and marshmallowy on the inside, making every bite a little piece of summery Christmas heaven.
But what really makes pavlova so loved is how versatile it is. While the base recipe rarely variates from some combination of egg whites and sugar, you can dress the dessert up with all sorts of toppings—from the classic whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruits, to more exotic combinations like chocolate, coconut, and rosewater. Ready to impress your guests? We're rounding up our favourite pavlova recipes guaranteed to make your Christmas day celebrations even sweeter, below.
Julia Busuttil Nishimura's classic pavlova
View this post on Instagram
This classic recipe is one most Australians are likely familiar with. A combination of whipped cream and crème fraiche makes for a not-too-sweet topping, perfectly complimented by an abundance of fresh fruit.
Ashley Alexander's mango, lime and toasted coconut pavlova
View this post on Instagram
For a recipe that doesn't veer to far from traditional, we love this combination by Ashley Alexander. Mango is a quintessentially summer fruit here in Australia, and a classic pavlova topping at that. But the addition of lime gives this recipe a zesty twist, while coconut and white chocolate add some welcome sweetness. Think of this one as a Weiss ice cream bar, but in pavlova form.
Donna Hay's chocolate swirl lamington pavlova
View this post on Instagram
Donna Hay knows a thing or two about desserts, and this recipe is no exception. It's got all the light, airiness of a classic pavlova made to perfection, with the addition of rich, velety cocoa for the chocolate lovers out there. Top it off with cream, shaved chocolate, coconut flakes, and raspberry jam.
Pistachio, rose and berry pavlova
View this post on Instagram
Few flavours go together like pistachio and rose — add in tart berries and crisp pavlova, and you've got a match made in heaven. Plus, the colour of these ingredients are conveniently festive, so this is one recipe that looks as good on the table as it tastes.
Margie Nomura's poached pear pavlova
View this post on Instagram
For something a little more decadent, look no further. These pears are poached in wine, until they're soft and bursting with flavour. They sit on a bed of softly whipped cream, and then are drizzled with warm chocolate sauce. Is your mouth watering yet?
