Sandra, of Sandra’s Easy Cooking, and I started our food blogs around the same time, so we’ve become friends as both our blogs have matured and grown. She is such a sweet and delightful foodie friend, I was thrilled when she asked me to guest post. As luck would have it, I was providing two decadent desserts for the faculty holiday lunch at my son’s high school; so I knew I’d have something delicious to share. I had numerous requests for this recipe at the luncheon…and one kind soul told me it was the best dessert he’d ever tasted. If you love lemon desserts, you’ll adore this exquisite creation.
Check out Sandra’s blog for my guest post. Thanks, Sandra, for your kind invitation!!!
Sandra’s post will be up around 11 AM this morning.
Pavlova with Lemon Curd…adapted from Gourmet
1 cup superfine sugar (just process regular sugar in the food processor for a minute)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 egg whites, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon white vinegar
Curd:
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 stick butter (4 tablespoons)
3 egg yolks
2 teaspoons lemon zest
(Or you can substitute 1-1 1/2 cups of your favorite jarred lemon curd)
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups fruit of choice (mixed berries, kiwi)
Preheat oven to 300º. Trace a 7 inch circle on one side of a piece of parchment paper, flip it over and place on a baking sheet.
Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using a electric mixer on medium till soft peaks form. Add water, and beat until soft peaks reform. Increase speed to medium high and start mixing in the sugar and cornstarch, slowly, till all is incorporated. Beat one minute longer. Add vinegar and mix on high speed until meringue is glossy and stiff peaks form (may take 5 minutes).
Carefully spread meringue on the inside of the circle on the parchment, with the edges higher than the center. Bake till pale golden, about 45 minutes. Turn off oven and prop door open slightly (use a heatproof spoon). Cool for an additional hour in the oven.
The meringue can be made up to two days ahead. Just wrap well in plastic and freeze. Defrost before serving.
To make curd, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Add lemon juice and butter and simmer, while whisking constantly. When it starts to simmer, cook for one more minute, while continuing to whisk. In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk egg yolks. Very slowly add about 1/4 cup of the hot liquid while whisking constantly (if you add too quickly, the egg will cook instead of incorporating). Return this mixture to the saucepan, reduce heat, and cook till curd is thickened (do not allow to boil). If you end up with some bits of cooked egg in your curd, just strain with a wire sieve to remove solids. Remove pan from heat and stir in zest. Put curd into a bowl, cover and cool about 1 1/2 hours.
Curd can also be made two days ahead, and stored covered in the refrigerator.
To assemble pavlova, place meringue on a serving plate. Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to stiff peaks. Fold 1/4 cup of whipped cream into lemon curd. Top meringue with curd, then the remaining whipped cream, and finally with the berries/fruit.
Serves 8-10.
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Linked to Sweets for a Saturday~
Linked to Foodie Friday~
Linked to Pink Saturday~
Linked to Holiday Blog Hop~
{ 86 comments… read them below or add one }
Goodness, I am practically dying here looking at the cake and also I love anything with a sour note.
How i miss my pavlova , yours is so fabulous!
This looks like a cloud of heaven, have never had one, cant wait to try this one!
That really is gorgeous. I’m not surprised that it was requested a lot. I love any dessert that has a combination of berries included (and no chocolate).
Oooo, pucker, pucker ….there goes my cheeks! Fab looking, Lizzy!
I have always wanted to try to make a Pavlova. This looks like a perfect one.
I love that you added lemon curd… it gives a nice bite to the sweet meringue. Beautiful pictures! 
You do have a talent with pavlovas-I remember the last one you did!
Between the flavor choice of lemon, the light as cloud meringue and those vibrant berries on top, your picture is a lovely invitation that I need to try this. Creating the meringue part is the scary task to me..Have a great weekend Liz!
Te ha quedado de lujo la pavlova,es una delicia delicada,abrazos y saludos,hugs,hugs.
You KNOW I love sweets and anything with bright cirus!
mmm, Lizzy, you’ve been naughty again
I wish I could hang around your book club 
Love everything with lemon and love how you lavishly decorated the cake with those luscious berries O_O
Oh my dear I love really I love lemon curd, and this pavlova would perfect for Christmas dessert, I ove the berries in the top dear,:)
Gorgeous! And I bet it’s delicious, too!
Wow, this looks incredible – I love that you show how to make the curd from scratch because curd sounds daunting to me… Your presentation is gorgeous as always
I would like to have 2 slices please.. this is perfectly heaven dessert.. just love the combination here..YUM!
This looks delightfully rich!
Off to have a peek at Sandra’s blog.
Have a sweet weekend;-)
looks so good especially the berries
This is a stunning dessert. I’ve never made a pavlova but have always wanted to try. And may I say you look smashing and I love your coat!
Ummm, this sounds delicious. Pat
What a beautiful, delicious looking dessert! Lucky people! I’m crazy about lemon curd. Love the photo of you in your pink coat! Thanks for another wonderful recipe!
Thank you Lizzy for finding time to prepare this delicious post..I am honored, and it looks so good..I only need a big fork:))Have a great weekend!!!
Beautiful dessert, I checked the ingredients carefully, Yippee! Its gluten free.
Pavlova always looks so very impressive! I have never made it, but I remember a few other pavlova recipes that you have made and one of these days I need to give it a try. You look so chic in your beautiful coat and boots, Lizzy!
Talk about a show stopper! Looks so delicious
Ooooh , the pavlova looks so..so… good . You look very pretty and chic in the pic Lizzy
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What a lovely Pavlova! The fresh berries look so great on top!
And Sandra is so sweet and lovely too! Looks gorgeous!
That looks so good, I’d probably end up stealing all the berries for myself though.
Beautiful! Since I can’t cook yet, wonder if my sous chef might be willing to whip this up for me! It looks like a real showstopper!
Absolutely divine look dessert! Am checking out Sandra’s blog now!
What a wonderful dessert – so pretty, fresh and delicious – I just LOVE lemon curd and so perfect in pav with berries
Mary x
This is gorgeous! Pavlovas are so delicious & versatile. And I love how the berries are arranged on top.
very nice!
Your pavlova is absolutely gorgeous, and I just LOVE anything with lemon curd. I need to make this soon
What a gorgeous pavlova! I bet it tasted divine with lemon curd.
On my way now! It looks beautiful!
What a beautiful and unique dessert. I think I will stun the fam by bringing this to the holiday party this year. I just love lemon and berries. I love the simple, rustic look of this.
Thanks for your kind comments on my Tahini Soba Noodles on LC btw.
happy holidays!
Such a gorgeous Pavlova, Lizzy! You have patented your famous Pavlovas…heading over to Sandra’s blog. So exciting to see you two team up.
Have a wonderful Sunday, dear friend:D
xoxo
I loved the interview Sandra did with you and of course, I love this pavlova even more!
wow delicious
Love the idea of using lemon curd in this. That’s my kind of dessert.
WoW,,,what a gorgeous cake,another favorite dessert from you,and you look great Liz
Ridwan
love love love pavlova! yours look so good! will have to make one for the holidays!
While I’ve never tasted a Pavlova before, your recipe has shown me how dreamy it must taste!
Makes my taste buds dance, just thinking about all that lovely lemony aroma and flavor.
Would you consider adding your post to another Links Party?
Ours may not be food focussed, but the emphasis is on teatime in Old London–and I have it on the best authority the Brits love lemon curd and anything it comes with.
(Please feel free to delete this comment if it offends you in any way.)
Our party’s URL:
http://www.steamteatravels.blogspot.com
Thanks for tolerating this so public request!
Rose & Co
Pavlovas make such a beautiful presentation and the light flavors of lemon and berries is perfect amidst all of the chocolate desserts we’re eating right now.
A beautiful dessert from a beautiful lady! I’m with Dara, the pavlova with the fresh fruit paired with a lovely lemon curd atop a meringue bed is a terrific contrast to holiday chocolates – a tough admission from a chocolate fiend.
I’m not a big curd guy, but I’d make this for my Liz.
Hope you have a great Sunday!
I adore pavlova! Looking forward to checking out that post.
Wow, this looks so amazingly delicious! Wonderful recipe, and I bet the lemon curd works as a wonderful counterpoint!
What a gorgeous dessert! I have never made a Pavlova and am very impressed! How perfect for a luncheon! Love the photo of you and your pavlova.
This is such a great dessert! I wish I could have been at that luncheon!
It’s so pretty!! Never thought to add lemon curd…love it!
That is one perfect pav. And don’t you look gorgeous in your pink coat by the Christmas tree!
I have never had pavlova before, but decided to make one for this weekend. I made the meringue and it came out lovely! In moving it from one counter to another…I dropped it! Yours is just beautiful! I love lemon curd! So I bet your pavlova was delicious and much appreciated by the teachers at your son’s school. Lovely post at Sandra’s. I’ll give it another try real soon! : ) P.S…LOVE your PINK coat!!!
Your pavlova looks heavenly and I like the lemon curd and fresh berries with it. So light and inviting. I’ve never had luck with meringue:(
Have a great week!
Lizzy, you’re such a dynamo, is there no stopping you? I saw your guest post over at Sandra’s and I was drooling over your pavlova. This continues over here too, but now I’m thinking you really rock in that pink coat and boots as well!
These lemon curd look and sound amazing. I love lemon! I would love it if you came to link to my holiday recipe swap blog hop. It is my first ever! Love these recipes.
http://www.mythirtyspot.com
-Erin Kennedy
Beautiful! I’ve always wanted to try making one, but I’ve always been afraid the humidity is to high here.
This is beautiful, I so want to make it for my family this Christmas! I have never made pavlova though so it’s kinda intimidating… but I’ll give it a go!
Hi Lizzy! I really liked how you answered to Sandra’s questions.
I feel like I got to know you more. I’m new to Pavlova but I can tell yours is superb… everything you make is outstanding and I’ve been highly admiring you for your hard work to make food/desserts as well as updating the recipes very frequently. 
This is just gorgeous and is sounds delicious:)
am blog hopping to bust my stress, Lizzy and i dunno why i been mentioning the stress part in each blog i go ;p
i love lemony desserts and this is definitely meant for my family!
ty! you look so Chrismassy in that snap: of course every reason to be ;p
Thank You again so much for joining us!
We’re looking forward to more interaction in future, if time allows for you.
Until then Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Rose & Co.
I love pavlova and lemon curd is such a perfect pairing with the sweet,meringue shell. With the addition of berries, it’s like a little burst of summer in the midst of Winter! I suddenly feel like eating summery food
Pavlova is such a stunning dessert, and one I’ve yet to make! I would love to try this out for our holiday feast. I love collecting recipes for my family and me to make! Thank you for sharing this with me and brightening my morning!
LIZ! just finished catching up on your posts….those peppermint bark snowflakes are awesome, I LOOOOOVE peppermint bark!!! and those caramel chocolate thumbprints are stellar! I was admiring your brined turkey (I have never brined turkey but I am convinced now that I MUST….it is picture perfect!) this pavlova is so elegant. I really do love lemon desserts, so this is a must try for me too – I hope you are staying warm and cozy…sending big hugs your way tonight!!!
Ohhh a badly needed taste of Summer, Lizzy! This is gorgeous – congrats on the Top 1!
Oh I am so drooling!!!
Light, decadent and in the Top 9, Congratulations!
You look so pretty in front of the Christmas tree. What a wonderful dessert. I love the airiness of pavlova.
Lizzy this is so delicious looking! The first I really learned about Pavlova was last year from a friend in New Zealand who did a guest post for me on how they spend Christmas. It’s such a unique dessert. I love lemon curd so am sure this is to die for!
Also say you are number 1 in the FB Top 9 today! So well deserved as always!
Suddenly I’m no longer getting your posts sent to me by email. I wonder why. I guess I will need to sign up again.
Anyway, your pavlova looks fantastic especially covered with fresh berries and lemon curd – my favorite! Now I need to make this. The perfect dessert during the fattening holidays. A great way to indulge without the guilt!
Hi Lizzy! I just came over from Sandy’s blog. It’s such a great write up, and I couldn’t agree more that skinny girl could sure bake. Both of you (Sandra and yourself) have inspired me throughout my busiest times at work, and I really hope to improve furhter. CONGRATS on making Top 9 on this wonderful pavlova, do keep up your amazing cooking and baking. Thanks for sharing the joy around. It sure brightens up my day anytime. Hugsss, Jo
Pavlova’s are such an elegant dessert and with flavors of lemon curd and berries, a refreshing alternative to chocolate during the holidays! Congrats on the Top 9
I love your lovely pavlova, Lizzy! It really is such an elegant dessert. Congrats on Top 9 and I REALLY like the pic of you in front of your tree – what a pretty tree!!
Lizzy, Congrats on top 9!!!! Was soooo happy when I saw it on the Foodbuzz!!!
I love Pavlova! I’ve made it a few times and it’s not quite as difficult as it might seem. I cook for a lot of people including pregnant women, children and elderly people so I always use pasteurized eggs for extra safety since the eggs don’t reach reach 160 degrees in this recipe.
Good tip about the pasteurized eggs, although I think the 45 minutes at 300º actually will get the eggs up to 160º. But that doesn’t happen when making meringue toppings…so it’s best to use pasteurized eggs with those.
Thanks, everyone!! I need to make this one again for my family
Congrats on the Top 9. This is stunning. I bet it tastes delicious too, I want some.
A beautiful dessert anytime of year… and one of my faves. Liv loves meringue and I love the topping! We make a good team. Congrats on the Top 9!
this is a beautiful dessert! i’ve always loved the look of pavlovas but have never made one. the lemon curd & berries seem like the perfect pairing! yum!
I love pavlovas they are so wonderfully rustic and beautiful.
I just love pavlova. They are so elegant at the same time they are rustic. It’s just perfection.
Lizzy, that is one perfect pavlova!!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com
Gorgeous pavlova and love the lemon fresh flavor. They are easier to make then they look but hard to travel with, learned by experience :-S
You look beautiful.
This looks amazing! I’ve been wanting to make a pavlova for awhile. I can’t wait to try out this recipe!