Pavlova

My daughter Mia discovered this recipe, and we (well, she) prepared it for the 4th of July. It was a huge success on the dessert table, offering a perfect one-bite burst of flavor.

Ingredients

6 (210 g) large egg whites room temperature

¾ teaspoon cream of tartar

⅛ heaping teaspoon salt

1 ½ cup (300 g) granulated sugar caster sugar or superfine sugar would also work

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Whipped Cream & Assembly

2 cups (473 ml) heavy whipping cream

⅔ cup (83 g) powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

lemon or other fruit curd optional

fresh fruit strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, sliced kiwi, and raspberries are all great options!

Recommend Equipment.

Mixing bowls

Large piping bag

Ateco 827 tip (this is the one I use, but it’s not mandatory)

Stand mixer (you may use a hand mixer instead, it will just take longer)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 225F (105C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. You’ll be making the pavlova in either the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment (paddle attachment will work if you don’t have a whisk) or a large bowl with an electric mixer. Before beginning, make sure that the bowl and beaters you are using are completely clean, dry, and grease free.

3. Combine egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in prepared bowl and use an electric or stand mixer to stir on low speed until the mixture begins to foam.

6 (210 g) large egg whites,¾ teaspoon cream of tartar,⅛ heaping teaspoon salt

4. Gradually increase speed to high.

5. Add sugar 1 Tablespoon at a time, continuing to stir on high speed after each addition until sugar is dissolved (about 15 seconds after each addition).

1 ½ cup (300 g) granulated sugar

6. Continue to beat on high speed until the meringue has reached stiff peaks (see note, it is critical you achieve stiff peaks). The meringue will be thick, opaque white, glossy, almost fluffy in consistency, sticky, and have greatly increased in volume. If you take a small bit of the meringue and rub it between your fingers, you shouldn’t feel any grit (a very minimal amount of grit is OK as it should dissolve in the oven, but it should be barely noticeable).

7. Add vanilla extract and stir on low speed until combined (meringue may deflate a small bit).

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

If making regular/single pavlova: Spoon the mixture in a mound onto prepared baking sheet. Use a spoon or spatula to form meringue into approximately 12” (30cm) round circle and smooth a divot in the center so the pavlova is shaped like a nest. Neaten up the edges with a back of a spoon so they are somewhat smooth (if you’d like, swirl the spoon along the edges to form peaks. Transfer to 225F (105C) oven and bake for 90 minutes, then turn off the oven and let pavlova sit in the closed oven for another 60-90 minutes or until cooled completely and then remove and assemble.

If making mini pavlova: Scoop (by about ⅓ cup) batter into 8 mounds onto prepared baking sheet and use a spoon to smooth into 8 nest shapes, spacing about 2” apart or pipe batter into 3"wide "nests" using a piping bag fitted with an Ateco 827 tip. Transfer to 225F (105C) oven and bake for 1 hour. Turn off oven and let mini pavlovas sit in the closed oven for at least another hour or until cooled completely before removing and assembling.

Whipped Cream & Assembly

Prepare whipped cream by combining heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl and use an electric mixer (or stand mixer) to beat until cream is billowy and thick and stiff peaks form.

2 cups (473 ml) heavy whipping cream,⅔ cup (83 g) powdered sugar,1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Assemble by spooning lemon or other curd in an even layer into the “nest” of the pavlova, if using. Top with whipped cream and then top with fresh fruit.

lemon or other fruit curd,fresh fruit

Serve immediately (a large pavlova should be sliced similar to a pie, while mini pavlovas should of course be served individually. Enjoy!

Notes

Baking Sheet

If making mini pavlova, all 12 will be a little cramped on your average cookie sheet. You can use two baking sheets, but make sure they fit in your oven the same time.

Extract

Vanilla extract is my preference and gives the pavlova a subtle, marshmallow-y flavor that complements the toppings beautifully. Classic vanilla that is brown in color will add a slight off-white tint to your meringue, so if you want to keep things snow-white use imitation clear vanilla extract.

Feel free to experiment with other flavors! I would recommend still using the vanilla, but reduce it to ½ teaspoon and use your judgement when adding your extract of choice but ¼-½ teaspoon will likely be plenty. Extracts like peppermint and almond are very strong, so take care to not use too much. Extracts made with oil (the ingredient list will indicate if it’s included) are not recommended as they can break down the meringue.

Mixing Bowl

If there’s even a teeny tiny bit of grease or moisture in your bowl or egg yolk in your whites they may not whip properly.

Store Bought Egg Whites

As a rule I generally don’t recommend using store-bought egg whites sold in a carton, though people have reported mixed results. Generally these egg whites say on the label that they won’t whip, so I recommend using fresh egg whites.

Egg Yolks

Save your egg yolks! Use them to make a batch of lemon curd to use in the pavlova, or make créme brûlée, pound cake, cream puffs, or chocolate pie!

Cream of Tartar (and possible substitutions)

This stabilizes the meringue and also helps to keep it from weeping. I recommend using it for best results. However, some people have reported success substituting vinegar or lemon juice for the cream of tartar in my meringue cookies. That should work here, too, though your meringue may not be as stable, and I’d recommend using 1 ½ teaspoons.

Stiff Peaks

This means that when you pull the beater straight out of the mixture and turn it upright, the peak that forms holds its shape without folding over or receding back into itself. The mixture will feel almost fluffy in consistency.

Making in Advance

Pavlova (regular or mini pavlova) can be made 1-2 days in advance of serving (do not assemble until just before serving). Store the “nests” in an airtight container at room temperature.