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Berry Pavlova Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

A light and airy Berry Pavlova featuring a crisp meringue base with a marshmallowy center, topped with whipped cream and a vibrant mix of fresh berries. Perfect for a delightful dessert that balances sweetness with freshness.

Ingredients

Meringue Base

  • 4 large egg whites - room temperature
  • 1 cup superfine sugar - caster sugar preferred
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar - stabilizes the meringue
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch - creates marshmallow center
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - or vanilla bean paste

Cream Topping

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream - well chilled
  • 2 tablespoon powdered sugar - adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste - or extract

Berry Mix

  • ½ cup strawberries - hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup blueberries - rinsed and dried
  • ½ cup raspberries - rinsed and dried
  • ½ cup blackberries - rinsed and dried

Final Touches

  • a few fresh mint sprigs - optional for garnish
  • 2 tablespoon berry sauce - optional for drizzle
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest - optional adds freshness

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meringue base: Preheat your oven and whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the superfine sugar while continuing to whip until stiff, glossy peaks form, then gently fold in the white vinegar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract to stabilize and enhance the meringue.
  2. Shape the meringue: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the meringue into a circle with a slight dip in the center to hold the toppings.
  3. Bake the meringue: Bake the meringue at a high temperature briefly to set the exterior, then lower the heat and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes to dry it out completely while keeping the inside marshmallowy. Allow it to cool completely in the oven or on a wire rack to prevent cracking.
  4. Prepare the berries and cream: While the meringue cools, wash, slice, and lightly sweeten the berry mix if desired. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste until soft peaks form.
  5. Assemble the pavlova: Spread the whipped cream inside the center dip of the cooled meringue base. Pile the fresh berries generously on top. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, drizzle with berry sauce, and sprinkle lemon zest for added freshness if desired. Serve immediately for best texture.

Notes

  • Ensure the egg whites are at room temperature to achieve maximum volume when whipped.
  • Use superfine sugar or caster sugar for a smoother meringue texture.
  • Allow the meringue to cool completely to prevent it from collapsing under the cream and berries.
  • Adjust the sweetness of the cream and berries according to taste.
  • Make the pavlova assembly just before serving to preserve the crispness of the meringue shell.
  • For a dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream whipped to stiff peaks.

Find it online: https://freshfromkitchen.com/berry-pavlova-recipe/