Spiced Pavlovas with Oranges and Mulled Wine Caramel

Make the pavlovas:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Beat egg whites in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute. With mixer running, gradually add superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition. Stop machine, and scrape down sides of bowl. Beat on high speed until meringue is very thick, about 6 minutes. Stop machine; scrape down sides of bowl. Add cinnamon and vinegar; beat until meringue is glossy and sugar is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes.

2. Spoon mixture onto prepared baking sheet in 4 even mounds (about 3 3/4 inches round and 1 1/2 inches tall), leaving at least 2 inches between mounds. Using the back of a spoon, form a shallow divot in center of each mound. Transfer baking sheet to oven, and immediately reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Bake pavlovas 50 minutes. Without opening oven door, turn off oven and oven light. Let pavlovas cool completely in oven, at least 8 hours or up to 12 hours.

Make the caramel:

1. Using a Y-shaped peeler, remove peel from 1 orange in long strips. Following the shape of orange, cut away and discard white pith; reserve orange peel strips and peeled orange. Combine granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, lemon juice, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high, swirling pan occasionally and brushing down any sugar crystals that stick to sides of pan using a wet pastry brush. Boil, swirling pan often, until caramel is deep amber in color and registers 380°F on a candy thermometer, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully add wine all at once. (Mixture will sputter and bubble vigorously.) Return mixture to heat over medium-low; stir in orange peel strips, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is syrupy and registers 230°F on a candy thermometer, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Let cool 1 hour.

2. Slice tops and bottoms from remaining 2 oranges; following the shape of each orange, cut away and discard peel and white pith. Slice peeled oranges, including reserved peeled orange from caramel, into 1/8-inch-thick rounds, half-moons, or supremes, as desired. Set aside.

3. Place cream in a large bowl; whisk until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Gently fold in quark. Divide pavlovas among plates, and top evenly with whipped cream mixture. Top with oranges, and drizzle each with 1 to 2 tablespoons caramel. Garnish with almonds.

Make ahead

Cooled pavlovas can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.