Lemon on a Cloud
This dreamy Lemon Pavlova combines a meringue, lemon curd, a cloud of whipped cream and luscious fresh berries! Youโll swoon with every bite!
This Lemon on a Cloud was a specialty of my mom and one of my favorite childhood desserts! Itโs a perfect treat for citrus lovers and theyโll all be clamoring for seconds!!.
Lemon on a Cloud
The BEST recipes tell a story. My mom was an excellent cook, and growing up, we wise-acre children didnโt always appreciate her gourmet dinner offerings. Moussaka for example. Iโm pretty sure I went to bed hungry the first night that layered spiced lamb and eggplant dish appeared on our table.
But we did love when she made desserts. Sheโd often come home from bridge club with the latest recipe from one of her cohorts, eager to try it out on the family. This lemon pavlova is one of those gems thatโs etched in my memory, and back in Ames, Iowa, it was called โlemon on a cloud.โ
A Lemon Pavlova
We had a huge freezer down in the basement of my childhood home. Perfect for those times my parents purchased a side of beef or made a run to the Sara Lee outlet in Des Moines and came home with boxes and boxes of cheese danish.
My mom typically made a double batch of this lemon meringue dessert and popped one in said freezer. But as soon as we knew of its existence, my sisters and I would sneak down to the musty cellar with a knife and carve ourselves slivers of this citrus beauty. Iโm certain our fingers were sticky and our sweet tooths satisfied before returning upstairs.
Years later, I tried to recreate my momโs recipe, but I think her version had more of a lemon curd topping followed by Cool Whip. My family loved my creation, but I may have to hunt down the handwritten recipe card next time Iโm back in Iowa. It was my first taste of what I later learned was a lemon pavlova!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pavlova?
A Pavlova is a large meringue that's topped with whipped cream and fruit. Its origin is often debated as Australia and New Zealand both like to take credit for inventing this dessert named for Anna Pavlova, the ballerina.
How do you store a pavlova?
The meringue shell alone can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry location. But once the toppings are added, the dessert must be refrigerated.
How long will a pavlova keep?
Once a pavlova is assembled, it's best to be eaten on that day. The meringue shell will start to soften and the fruit topping will not be as fresh the next day, but it will still be safe to eat for a couple of days after its made.
Tips for How to Make Pavlova
If youโve ever made meringue cookies or a pie topping, making a pavlova recipe will be a breeze. Following these tips will help make your first pavlova dessert a success!
- PRO-Tip: Make sure your beaters and bowl are scrupulously clean before you start to whip your egg whites.
- Egg whites will not beat properly if any grease or fat from a broken egg yolk, contaminates the whites. Note that eggs separate best when cold, but the whites beat best when at room temperature.
- Use a piece of parchment to line your baking sheet. Trace a circle on one side of the parchment, depending on the desired size of your pavlova. Flip it over and youโll have a template for spreading out your meringue mixture.
- PRO-Tip: I used a 9-inch round cake pan to draw the circle on my parchment since this lemon pavlova recipe suggests a 9-inch circle. Make sure your marking is dark enough so you can see it when the paper is turned over.
- To bring your egg whites up to room temperature, you can set your bowl of whites into a larger bowl of hot (not boiling) water while doing your prep work.
- Beat your egg whites until foamy, then slowly add 1 tablespoon of the sugar at a time. If you happen to have superfine sugar takes less time to incorporate.
- The meringue will get thick and billowy. Once all the sugar is combined, add the lemon juice.
- PRO-Tips: The acid in the lemon juice helps delay the coagulation of the whites, making a fluffier meringue. Fresh eggs are more acidic and will also help make a lighter meringue.
- Mound the whipped meringue in the middle of your template on the parchment paper. Use an offset spatula to spread and level the meringue into a flat-topped circle.
- This recipe calls for a โwellโ in the center of the meringue to make space for the lemon filling. Try to make it deep enough to accommodate your lemon filling.
- Bake as directed. Meringues and pavlovas are typically baked low and slow, so they keep their white color and do not brown.
- Cool your meringue shell completely before topping.
More Lemon Desserts Youโll Love:
- Lemon Bar Cookie Cups from Barbara Bakes
- Easy Lemon Bundt Cake
- Mile High Lemon Meringue Pie
- Lemon Cake with Lemon Curd
- Mini Lemon Cheesecakes
- Creamy Lemon Tart
- More of the Best Dessert Recipes
This recipe was first shared in March 2014. Photos and text were updated in 2020.
Lemon on a Cloud
A crisp meringue shell topped with lemon curd and cream
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200º. Beat egg whites in large bowl until foamy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating until mixture is very stiff and glossy. Add lemon juice and mix until combined.
- Place parchment paper on a baking sheet. Trace a 9-inch circle in the middle of the paper, then flip so that marks are on the underside of the paper. Pile meringue into the center of the circle, then spread to edges, building up the perimeter of the meringue to make a shell. Alternatively, you can bake meringue in a grease 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 2 hours. Cool completely at room temperature.
- Meanwhile, combine egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and cool at room temperature, refrigerate until cold.
- Beat cream until stiff peaks form. Using the same beaters, beat lemon filling until smooth. Fold 1/2 cup of the cream into the lemon filling until blended, then pile into cooled meringue shell. Reserve the rest of the whipped cream in the refrigerator. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Top with remaining cream and berries to serve, if desired.
Notes
Total time is closer to 5 1/2 hours including cooling times.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 284Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 42mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 0gSugar: 39gProtein: 4g
59 Comments on “Lemon on a Cloud”
Dear Liz, I have not made meringues or pavlovas in a long time – what a delicious reminder your post is. I love the title you gave your dessert, the different components, and, of course, the super elegant look – this dessert looks like a show stopping summertime treat!!!
Hope you are all doing well!
I don’t know if this will fly in Aspen’s high altitude but I am going to try. Gorgeous, Liz.
This is a very special dessert! Perfect for a gathering as it is so stunning as a centerpiece.
I’ve not heard of lemon on a cloud before but it sounds delicious and who doesn’t love pavlova!
Pavlovas are such an easy but impressive dessert! I love how light and airy the meringue is and the lemon is the perfect accent!
Oh my goodness this is so delicious! I made this for my daughter’s birthday and she loved it! It was so tasty!
What a beautiful dessert. I would certainly feel on cloud 9 if I ate this. ๐
Just lovely and so yummy looking. I’d polish the whole thing off all by myself. ๐
I’m a sucker for cloud and lemons… put ’em together and I’m done for!. Just lovely.
This is my kind of dessert! It is beautiful and the lemon flavor sounds fabulous!
The one thing that mystifies me is how to freeze it? I’ve not known anyone who could freeze meringue and have it come out as something serve-able, much less freeze meringue with a liquid, such as a curd on top. You say your mother would pop one in the freezer and you’d nick pieces (which sounds delightful to me!). Please, how can this be done well?
Hi, Amy! This memory is my only experience with freezing meringue. I’d have the same trepidation as you…that the defrosted result would not be nearly as good as freshly made. I was only a child at the time, so wish I had more to go on…if we ever ate a defrosted one, I’m not sure my palate would have been mature enough to care if some quality was lost! Wish I could be of more help!
Gosh, how beautiful! I can just imagine eating that!
What a wonderful memory – love that you are sharing this dessert your mom used to make for your family ๐ I love all lemon desserts and this lemon on a cloud looks marvelous!
Lizzy,
This is a gorgeous dessert. Anyone would be lucky to have some.
Annamaria
What a beautiful dessert and all the better when it comes with such vivid childhood memories ๐ we all have favourites from our mums own cookbook and I can’t wait to try this one out it looks and sounds stunning.
The name alone is appetizing and sipping Sauvignon Blanc with it sounds perfect. I thought maybe Moscato but they may have been too sweet. You made the right choice for this beautiful dessert.
This is such a beautiful dessert, Liz! And so perfect for this time of year. I love the fluffy lemon filling especially! Pinned ๐