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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Comments

  • Amanda Sakovitz
    September 16, 2014

    I love red velvet cake!

    Reply

  • ewhatley
    September 15, 2014

    My favorite dessert is crème brulee but I’ve never tried to make it

    Reply

  • sharonjo
    September 14, 2014

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/511354497747419136

    Reply

  • sharonjo
    September 14, 2014

    I’ve made individual Pavlovas but never one quite like yours, which is beautiful and perfect looking. I appreciate your detailed instructions.

    One of my very favorite desserts is Salted Caramel Panna Cotta, which is a basic Italian custard topped with homemade salted caramel, sprinkled with additional flakes of sea salt. Yum!

    Reply

  • Tabathia B
    September 14, 2014

    tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/511314874886934528

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  • Tabathia B
    September 14, 2014

    I am partial to german chocolate cake and pecan pie, but this place called cupcake confections has the best sliced cake and you choose your topping, frosting and filling and I always choose buttercream, ganache and pecans

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  • Amber L
    September 13, 2014

    I love ice cream especially on a peace of apple pie

    Reply

  • Rebecca Graham
    September 13, 2014

    My favorite dessert is tiramisu.

    Reply

  • Neiddy
    September 12, 2014

    tweeted -https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/510459490073083904

    Reply

  • Neiddy
    September 12, 2014

    My favorite dessert is Tres Leches Cake

    Reply

  • Katherine
    September 12, 2014

    https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/510440963559661568

    Reply

  • Katherine
    September 12, 2014

    I have a cream puff dessert we relly like

    Reply

  • Kerry
    September 11, 2014

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/510219891362648064

    Reply

  • Kerry
    September 11, 2014

    This time of year, my favorite dessert is anything pumpkin!

    Reply

  • maria cantu
    September 9, 2014

    Love lemon meringue pie.

    Reply

  • anna pry
    September 9, 2014

    i tweeted https://twitter.com/thepryfamily5/status/509400092701241344 pryfamily5@gmail.com

    Reply

  • anna pry
    September 9, 2014

    my fave dessert is either tiramisu or cheesecake
    pryfamily5@gmail.com

    Reply

  • Erica Best
    September 8, 2014

    https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/509062009678069760

    Reply

  • Erica Best
    September 8, 2014

    CHEESECAKE IS MY FAVORITE

    Reply

  • Susan Smith
    September 5, 2014

    https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/507957843895812097

    Reply

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