Preheat the oven to 130°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Separate the eggs, ensuring no yolk gets into the whites.
Place the egg whites into a large, clean mixing bowl.
Whisk the egg whites using a hand mixer or stand mixer until soft peaks form. This means the whites should hold their shape but still be somewhat soft and foamy.
180 g egg whites
Gradually add the caster sugar, one spoonful at a time, while continuing to beat the egg whites. This step is crucial for a smooth, glossy meringue. Whip until stiff, shiny peaks form and there are no sugar granules visible.
300 g caster sugar
Once the meringue is thick, sift in the cornflour and add a teaspoon of white vinegar and vanilla extract.
2 tsp corn flour, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Gently fold these ingredients into the meringue using a spatula. The vinegar and cornflour help to create a soft, marshmallowy centre.
Fold in the cinnamon and nutmeg carefully, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the meringue.
1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Spoon the meringue mixture onto the lined baking sheet, shaping it into a large circle. Decorate the outside as you like, or leave it simply smooth.
Bake the meringue in the preheated oven for 50 minutes.
Turn off the oven and let the meringue cool inside the oven for at least 4 to 6 hours, and never open the oven.
Once the meringue has cooled completely, carefully transfer it to a serving plate.
In a separate bowl, beat the whipping cream until soft peaks form. You can add a touch of sugar or vanilla if you prefer a slightly sweeter cream.
300 ml whipping cream
Crush the gingerbread cookies into dust, or even bite-sized pieces, either by hand, using a rolling pin or even a blender. These will add crunch to your pavlova.
crushed gingerbread cookies
Prepare the red currants and gently wash and dry them.
150 g fresh red currants
Spread the whipped cream generously over the top of the pavlova, filling the indentation you can create with a spoon in the middle of it.
Sprinkle the crushed gingerbread cookies over the whipped cream, adding a delightful crunch and more gingerbread flavour to the dessert.
Finally, decorate with red currants, either scattering them on top or arranging them decoratively. Their tartness will cut through the sweetness of the pavlova, balancing the flavours perfectly.
Serve the Gingerbread Pavlova immediately for the best texture, as the meringue is crisp on the outside but soft on the inside.