SPICED PAVLOVA WITH PUMPKIN MOUSSE

Steps:

• PreparationFor the meringue: Preheat oven to 275°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk cornstarch and sea salt in a small bowl, breaking up any lumps. Mix ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and 1 Tbsp. cinnamon in another small bowl.
• Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl until soft, opaque peaks form, about 3 minutes. You should see tracks from the whisk on the surface of the whites.
• Add superfine sugar slowly, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating to incorporate fully before adding the next, 5-8 minutes total. Continue to beat on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 1 minute more. Test to see if sugar is fully dissolved by rubbing a small amount between your fingertips. If it feels gritty, keep beating until dissolved.
• Sprinkle cornstarch mixture over egg whites and fold in gently with a spatula. Sift spices over mixture with a fine-mesh strainer and fold in gently.
• Using a large spoon, divide meringue into 8 even mounds on prepared baking sheets. Using the back of the spoon, make a small well in the center of each meringue. Using fine-mesh strainer, lightly dust with remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon.
• Bake 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Continue to bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until outsides are dry and a very pale cream color, 50-60 minutes. Turn oven off and leave door slightly ajar (prop open with a kitchen towel or hot pad) with meringues inside, letting them cool completely, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• For the pumpkin mousse: Gently whisk egg whites and granulated sugar in a medium bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water until hot to the touch or a candy thermometer registers 140°F.
• Pour hot egg white mixture into stand mixer bowl and whip with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until doubled in volume and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk pumpkin purée, kosher salt, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Whisk one-third of beaten egg whites into pumpkin mixture to lighten. Gently whisk in remaining whites.
• For the pomegranate syrup: Heat pomegranate juice, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium-high until sugar is dissolved and juice is simmering. Reduce heat to low and simmer until syrupy and liquid is reduced by half, about 25 minutes.
• For assembly: Divide meringues among plates, then top each with a dollop of pumpkin mousse and whipped cream. Top with pomegranate syrup, pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate seeds.
• Do Ahead Pumpkin mousse can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Pomegranate syrup can be made 2 weeks ahead; cover and chill.
• Cooks' NoteIn humid weather, pavlova may need additional cooktime to crisp. After drying overnight, bake at 250°F until crisp, 30-60 minutes more.