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

  • Nat Kravchuk
    September 16, 2014

    My favorite dessert would most definitely be your kiwi-berry cake. I make it for every occasion/birthday in my family! 🙂

    Reply

  • susan gantyuk
    September 16, 2014

    This is actually my favorite dessert! Ive tried quite a few versions so cant wait to try this one!

    Reply

  • nadya
    September 16, 2014

    I love honey/prune/walnut cake 🙂

    Reply

  • Larisa
    September 16, 2014

    My all time favorate dessert will have to be Napolian Cake 🙂 reminds me of childhood.

    Reply

  • Cindy M.
    September 16, 2014

    I think one of my all time favorite desserts is just a good ol’ apple pie (warm, of course!) with vanilla ice cream! I have had a lot of decadent desserts, but this one just saves yummies & comfort to me!!!

    Reply

  • Yana Malanka
    September 16, 2014

    Happy Anniversary Natasha! And I loove all ur recipes . My fav is the 8 layer honey cake . Its so simple to make and delicious . Hopeing to win this amazing giveaway

    Reply

  • Roxanne P.
    September 16, 2014

    My favorite dessert would have to be crepes. They’re so versatile and delicious ^^

    Reply

  • Vita
    September 16, 2014

    Love oreshki but need a good recipe! Love cheesecake as well

    Reply

  • Yuliya
    September 16, 2014

    My favorite is the spartak cake, no one makes it better than my sister (even I can’t achieve her perfection)!

    Reply

  • Alvira Kiselev
    September 16, 2014

    My all time favorite dessert is the Raspberry Jello Pretzel Cake. Very delicious and oh so tasty! Such a big hit at parties! Thank you Natasha for a perfect and easy recipee! 🙂

    Reply

  • Alvira Kiselev
    September 16, 2014

    https://mobile.twitter.com/alvirakiselev/status/511908905589686273

    Reply

  • Maria
    September 16, 2014

    Cant wait to try your Pavlova, looks amazing!

    Reply

  • Zoya Brown
    September 16, 2014

    This looks amazing! My favorite would be a toss up between pumpkin pie and creme brulee.

    Reply

  • Katie
    September 16, 2014

    My favorite dessert is chocolate Prague cake. Love it

    Reply

  • Dina Skobyak
    September 16, 2014

    Brownies! So simple yet so delicious because you can make different kinds!

    Reply

  • nadia
    September 16, 2014

    My favorite dessert is anything with ice cream. And it has to be ice cream with nuts!

    Reply

  • Viktoriya Y.
    September 16, 2014

    My favorite would have to be cheesecake, can eat it day after day (;

    Reply

  • angie
    September 16, 2014

    I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/511906439863209984

    Reply

  • angie
    September 16, 2014

    ooo that is hard! I love so many! LOL BUT I guess I would have to choose cheesecake. I just love it so much!

    Reply

  • Amanda Sakovitz
    September 16, 2014

    https://twitter.com/aes529/status/511903398128791553

    Reply

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