A step-by-step guide to master the pavlova; a simple and beautiful special occasion cake from @natashaskitchen

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My husband and I have been married 11 years this month. Time, slow down! This is a very special anniversary for us. Our first child is 5 and will be starting school this year. We didn’t go out of town to celebrate but we did go out to our favorite fancy restaurant and then shared dessert at home.

If you want to surprise your spouse and make dessert extra special, you should try this loaded berry pavlova. It’s light, airy and filled with all the best summer berries. It is crisp on the outside and marshmallowy soft inside. A sweet end to a sweet day!

Let me start out by saying the pavlova is EASY. Meringue is neither complicated or time consuming. It takes some time to bake/dry out in the oven, but your oven does all of the work.

I’ll be sharing all of my tips on getting the correct consistency and provide step-by-step photos of the process to give you confidence to re-create the recipe or make your own variation at home
A step-by-step guide to master the pavlova; a simple and beautiful special occasion cake from @natashaskitchen

Ingredients for Pavlova Cake:

6 egg whites, room temperature (*see tip 1 below)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp corn starch
1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract

Ingredients for Frosting:

1 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp granulated sugar

Ingredients for Topping:

4-5 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, small strawberries, blackberries..) ** see tip 2 below
1-2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

Very Berry Pavlova Recipe-7

*Tip 1: Pavlova eggs will beat best when they are at room temperature. If you forget this step, place un-cracked eggs in warm water for 15 minutes to bring them to room temp.
**Tip 2: Keep berries dry and chilled prior to use.

How to Make a Berry Pavlova Cake:

Preheat the Oven to 250˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. Using the whisk attachment on your stand mixer, beat 6 egg whites and 1 1/2 cups sugar for 6 to 7 minutes on high speed, or until stiff peaks form. The mixture will be smooth and glossy.

Very Berry Pavlova Recipe

2. Add 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract and 2 tsp corn starch and continue mixing another 15 seconds or until well blended. Transfer immediately to a large sheet of parchment paper and use spatula to form a 10″ round ring, making a deep indent in the center to accommodate the cream and berries later. The center will rise so make a substantial well in the center.

Very Berry Pavlova Recipe-8

Very Berry Pavlova Recipe-9

3. Bake at 250˚F for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then turn off the oven and with door closed, let it sit inside the oven another 1 hour until cooled. You can keep it in the oven longer to cool since the oven will be off and you might have dinner plans ;). Remove pavlova from oven and let cool completely to room temp then cover and let stand in a dry, room temp room up to 2 days or assemble and serve right away.

How to Make the Topping:

1. Beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream with 2 Tbsp sugar on high speed 2-3 minutes or until frosting is stiff and spreadable but don’t over beat or it will become buttery. (note: you can make cream ahead of time, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use).

2. Just before serving, spread whipped cream over the pavlova and top with plenty of your favorite berries. Refrigerate leftovers. It’s best served right away.

Very Berry Pavlova Recipe-2

A step-by-step guide to master the pavlova; a simple and beautiful special occasion cake from @natashaskitchen

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe

4.91 from 98 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
A step-by-step guide to master the pavlova; a simple and beautiful special occasion cake from @natashaskitchen
This pavlova is light, airy and filled with all the best summer berries. A sweet end to a sweet day! Meringue is neither complicated or time consuming. It takes some time to bake/dry out in the oven, but your oven does all of the work. It is crisp on the outside and marshmallowy soft inside.

Ingredients 

Instructions

How to Make a Berry Pavlova:

  • Preheat the Oven to 250˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using the whisk attachment on your stand mixer, beat 6 egg whites and 1 1/2 cups sugar for 6 to 7 minutes on high speed, or until stiff peaks form. The mixture will be smooth and glossy.
  • Add 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract and 2 tsp corn starch and continue mixing another 15 seconds or until well blended.
  • Transfer immediately to a large sheet of parchment paper and use spatula to form a 10" round ring, making a deep indent in the center to accommodate the cream and berries later. The center will rise so make a substantial well in the center.
  • Bake at 250˚F for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then turn off the oven and with door closed, let it sit inside the oven another 1 hour until cooled. You can keep it in the oven longer to cool since the oven will be off and you might have dinner plans ;). Remove pavlova from oven and let cool completely to room temp then cover and and let stand in a dry, room temp room up to 2 days or assemble and serve right away.

How to Make the Topping:

  • Beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream with 2 Tbsp sugar on high speed 2-3 minutes or until frosting is stiff and spreadable but don't over beat or it will become buttery. (note: you can make cream ahead of time, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use).
  • Just before serving, spread whipped cream over the pavlova and top with plenty of your favorite berries. Refrigerate leftovers. It's best served right away.

Notes

*Tip 1: Pavolva eggs will beat best when they are at room temperature. If you forget this step, place un-cracked eggs in warm water for 15 minutes to bring them to room temp.
**Tip 2: Keep berries dry and chilled prior to use.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: Berry Pavlova Cake
Skill Level: Easy/Medium
Cost to Make: $$
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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A step-by-step guide to master the pavlova; a simple and beautiful special occasion cake from @natashaskitchen

I hope you love this easy and wonderful Berry Pavlova Recipe!! 🙂

4.91 from 98 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Amy S.
    August 19, 2014

    I LOVE a good German apple cake with vanilla ice cream

    Reply

  • liza
    August 19, 2014

    very berry cheescake

    Reply

  • Lyn
    August 19, 2014

    I grew up in the uk so sticky toffee pudding is my favorite for sure.

    Reply

  • Katy
    August 19, 2014

    Tweeted!

    Reply

  • Mila
    August 19, 2014

    Boccone dolce cake

    Reply

  • Katy
    August 19, 2014

    My favorite dessert?! That’s a trick question right? I love all desserts, the more the better 😉

    Reply

  • Natalie B
    August 19, 2014

    Cheesecake!

    Reply

  • Rebecca
    August 19, 2014

    I have never tried this. I’m more of a chocolate brownies person, this looks so easy maybe with a drizzle of chocolate. 😉

    Reply

  • Viktoriya
    August 19, 2014

    I love Kievskii cake, but I’ve been obsessed with yer Russian tea cakes too lately…they’re soooo gooooooood. I’ve been inviting everyone over for tea so I can have an excuse to make them…well, and for their company of course 😉

    Reply

  • Anna Ovd
    August 19, 2014

    Mine would be meringue. Its really simple to make and is delicious!

    Reply

  • Sydney
    August 19, 2014

    jello with whipped cream

    Reply

  • Pete
    August 19, 2014

    chocolate pie

    Reply

  • Tanya
    August 19, 2014

    I’m a sucker for light desserts or anything with fruits!

    Reply

  • livivua
    August 19, 2014

    https://twitter.com/vivaciousgold/status/501760610887933952

    Reply

  • livivua
    August 19, 2014

    peach cobbler and ice cream

    Reply

  • Natasha G
    August 19, 2014

    Thank you for the giveaway! Your pavlova is beautiful perfection!!! Makes me want to make one now

    Reply

  • Natasha G
    August 19, 2014

    Thank you for the giveaway! Your pavlova is beautiful perfection!!! Makes me want to make one now

    Reply

  • steven weber
    August 19, 2014

    Mine would have to be cheesecake.

    Reply

  • Lisa Brown
    August 19, 2014

    https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/501741304108568576

    Reply

  • Lisa Brown
    August 19, 2014

    I live chocolate pudding pie slathered with whipped cream

    Reply

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