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Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
406 | Calories |
11g | Fat |
74g | Carbs |
5g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 406 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 11g | 14% |
Saturated Fat 7g | 34% |
Cholesterol 34mg | 11% |
Sodium 65mg | 3% |
Total Carbohydrate 74g | 27% |
Dietary Fiber 3g | 10% |
Total Sugars 69g | |
Protein 5g | |
Vitamin C 21mg | 105% |
Calcium 36mg | 3% |
Iron 0mg | 2% |
Potassium 181mg | 4% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This recipe for Pavlova, made with a meringue shell, whipped cream, and fruit, is one of New Zealand's national desserts. It is not only beautiful to look at, but also a wonderful mix of flavors and textures.
When preparing a Pavlova recipe, the most important thing is to have scrupulously clean utensils, free of grease, egg yolks, or eggshells. In fact, the success of the meringue depends on it. To get more volume, it's necessary to have the egg whites at room temperature before beating them.
Pavlovas have a habit of deflating and forming cracks when you open the oven but don't be disheartened. Just make some extra whipped cream to fill in any holes if this happens. It will still be a spectacular dessert.
A variety of fruit can be used, including berries, kiwi, and bananas. If you use bananas in the topping, toss them in lemon juice to stop them from oxidizing or turning brown.
Ingredients
For Meringue Shell:
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4 large egg whites, at room temperature
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1 cup castor sugar (also known as caster sugar, berry sugar, or superfine sugar)
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1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
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1 teaspoon white vinegar
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1 teaspoon vanilla
For the Whipped Cream
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1/2 cup whipping cream
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla
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1/2 cup icing sugar (also known as confectioners' sugar)
For the Fruit Garnish:
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2 cups whole berries or sliced fresh fruit of choice (strawberries, kiwi fruit, passion fruit, bananas)
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, optional
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Fresh mint sprigs, optional
Steps to Make It
Make the Meringue Shell
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Gather the ingredients.
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Heat the oven to 275 F/140 C and place the rack in the middle of the oven.
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Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and score a 7-inch circle on the foil with the blunt edge of a knife, without tearing the foil. (Use a bowl as a guide.) Set aside.
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In a clean, medium-sized metal bowl, beat the egg whites with a clean electric mixer on medium speed until the whites form soft peaks.
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Gently sprinkle the sugar into the egg whites, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating continuously until the whites form stiff glossy peaks.
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Sprinkle the cornstarch and vinegar on the meringue and fold in gently with a plastic spatula.
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Add the vanilla and gently fold the mixture again.
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Now gently spread the meringue in the circle on the foil to make a circular base. Make sure the edges of the meringue are slightly higher than the center so you have a shallow well in the middle.
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Bake the meringue for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until it turns a very pale, pinkish eggshell color.
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Turn off the oven and leave the door slightly ajar to let the meringue cool completely. As the meringue cools, it will crack slightly.
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Just before serving, take the meringue out of the oven and gently transfer it from the foil to a plate.
Make the Whipped Cream
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Gather the ingredients.
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Whip the cream with the vanilla and icing sugar until it forms peaks and set aside.
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Prepare the Fruit
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Prepare the fruit by washing it and slicing any that aren't going to be left whole.
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If using bananas, toss with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
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Assemble the Pavlova
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Gently spread the cream over the top of the cooled meringue with a spatula.
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Arrange the fruit on top. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.
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Serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips
- When preparing the meringue shell, make sure to use the whipped egg whites immediately to form the pavlova base. If the egg whites sit, they will begin to deflate and make for a less airy meringue.
- You can make the meringue base ahead of time. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store at room temperature for several days. Keep in mind that if the weather is humid, the meringue will become soft and chewy.
What's the Difference Between Pavlova and Meringue?
Although both are made with whipped egg whites and sugar, a pavlova includes additional ingredients, like cornstarch and white vinegar, that create a marshmallow-like center.
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