Strawberry Pavlova

With a large “squidgy” meringue base, a billowy mound of whipped cream, and balsamic strawberries, this Strawberry Pavlova is one showstopping dessert!

Pavlova Recipes are terrific for summer gatherings, or anytime you can find gorgeous, ripe, fragrant berries. Made with simple, obtainable ingredients, a pavlova dessert will always bring oohs and ahs when you serve it!!

Why You Must Make

• We rarely had fancy desserts growing up, but do remember one luscious creation involving a meringue base, lemon curd topped with whipped cream. That was my introduction to pavlova.
• Years later, I joined a cooking board; and one of Nigella’s recipes, a chocolate pavlova covered with beautiful red raspberries and cream, was receiving tons of praise.
• After that, I made my first pavlova for a neighborhood pitch in one Memorial Day, and it was gone in a flash. I had to make a second for my disappointed family later that day. It was a show-stopper!

Ingredient Notes

• Egg whites – These must not be contaminated by even a speck of egg yolk or they won’t whip properly. The mixing bowl & beaters must be free of any oil or grease as well.
• White sugar, superfine is preferred for the pavlova as it dissolves more easily. Domino makes a version that can often be found near the granulated sugar.
• Table salt, just a pinch as even desserts need salt to enhance their flavor.
• Cornstarch – Helps to stabilize the meringue.
• White wine or champagne vinegar for the pavlova, and a good aged balsamic vinegar for the strawberries.
• Real vanilla extract – Always read the label so you buy real vanilla, not artificially flavored. Nielsen-Massey is my go-to brand.
• Fresh, ripe strawberries – Make sure they are red, glossy and without bruises or soft spots. Fragrant berries always taste better!
• Heavy whipping cream – At least 36% butterfat.

How to Make

Expert Tips

Like with simple meringue cookies, there are a few things you must know before baking up a pavlova.

• PRO-Tip: First, when working with egg whites, your mixing bowl and beaters must be completely free of any grease or oil or the whites will not whip properly.
• I make sure everything has been run through the dishwasher, to ensure grease-free dishes. In the same vein, when separating the egg whites from the yolks, you must take care that no yolk, even a tiny speck, contaminates the whites.
• Yolks have fat and will also prevent your whites from whipping to their potential. If you contaminate an egg white or whites, you must toss all the whites or save them for another use.
• PRO-Tip: Eggs separate best when cold, but the egg whites beat better when they’re at room temperature. Plan ahead, and separate your eggs ahead of time, then keep the egg whites out at room temperature. I often set the bowl of egg whites into another bowl of very warm (not boiling as you could cook the whites) water to help take the chill off more quickly.
• PRO-Tip: I bake my pavlova on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Draw a circle, using a cake pan as a template, on the parchment.
• Then I flip the parchment over and use the circle as a guide for spreading the beaten egg whites.
• A pavlova is baked at a lower-than-average temperature for a longer time period. Most are then left in the oven, with the heat off, to cool and dry. This recipe calls for the oven to be turned off after baking, then left in the oven to cool. This helps dry out the meringue, though the inside is still the classic marshmallow texture.
• Add the toppings shortly before serving. The toppings will soften the meringue shell, which isn’t a bad thing, but the preferred way to eat is when freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions

You May Also Like:

• Chocolate Meringue Cake
• Lemon Meringue Pie
• Chocolate Meringue Cookies
• Strawberry Eton Mess
• Mini Pavlovas
• More of the Best Dessert Recipes

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The Recipe:

Strawberry Pavlova

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Yield 8 servings

A stunning dessert! A large meringue is topped with sweetened whipped cream and balsamic strawberries.

Ingredients

For the meringue:

• 4 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1 ¼ cups superfine or regular granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping:

• 1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon high-quality balsamic vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup sugar

Instructions

1. To prepare meringue: heat the oven to 350º.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and draw a circle on the paper using an 8- or 9-inch cake pan as a guide.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine egg whites and salt. Begin beating at low speed, slowly increasing to high.
4. Continue beating until satiny peaks begin to form; gradually beat in sugar a tablespoon at a time until the meringue is stiff and shiny.
5. Sprinkle in cornstarch, white-wine vinegar, and vanilla, and fold in gently. Mound onto parchment within the circle, and shape into a disk, flattening the top and smoothing sides. Place in oven, and immediately reduce heat to 300º. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, and allow the meringue to cool completely in the oven.
6. To prepare topping: In a mixing bowl, combine strawberries, vanilla, balsamic vinegar, and sugar. Cover with plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.
7. To serve, invert meringue onto a plate, and carefully peel off the parchment. Whip cream with sugar until it is thick enough to hold peaks, and spread it evenly over the meringue.
8. Cover cream with strawberries. Serve immediately.

Notes

I add Whip It to stabilize the whipped cream. If dessert will be eaten on the day it is made, this is not necessary.

Adapted from Nigella Lawson.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 383Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 1gSugar: 43gProtein: 4g

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