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

  • Sharon Howard
    August 21, 2014

    I tweeted @howard164551. My link https://twitter.com/howard164551/status/502496732505464832

    Reply

  • Sharon Howard
    August 21, 2014

    This looks yummy and I plan to try it but my favorite dessert is Strawberry Cheesecake it’s so amazing. Thank You for the chance.

    Reply

  • Alina K
    August 21, 2014

    Thanks for another great recipe! One of my favorite desserts is strawberry shortcake- fresh & light making it the perfect ending to any meal!

    Reply

  • Alina K
    August 21, 2014

    Thanks for a great post! The pics look delish

    Reply

  • Leeza
    August 21, 2014

    I love Pavlova ! Looks delicious !!!

    Reply

  • Olga Na.
    August 21, 2014

    My favorite dessert would be the tiramusu cake! I was making it weekly at one period of time.

    Reply

  • Inna
    August 21, 2014

    My favorite desert is royal cake!

    Reply

  • Tallya
    August 21, 2014

    Been wanting to make a pavlova… the kids and I even made meringues with the goal of these but they were eaten before we got to it. My favorite dessert has to be something light and creamy. What is yours Natasha?

    Reply

  • Natasha
    August 20, 2014

    Happy Anniversary!

    I love Spartak Cake 😉 Yum-Yum

    Reply

  • Vicki
    August 20, 2014

    I have many favorite desserts. One of them is zucchini banana bread with walnuts and chocolate chips fresh from the oven… mmmmm… its healthy and yummy!!!!

    Reply

  • inna
    August 20, 2014

    HI AGAIN, MY FAVORITE DESSERT IS THE PAVLOVA BECAUSE IT JUST MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH, AND NOT TOO SWEET. LOVED THIS RECIPE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU MAKE MY LIFE EASIER IN COOKING.

    Hello thank you so much for this recipe, it has be the best one i ever made. I tried to much recipes and they always fall, and become too thin. But this recipe is just amazing,melting in your mouth. Once more thank you again.

    Reply

  • Jaclyn
    August 20, 2014

    This is gorgeous Natasha!!

    Reply

  • Katrine Kulinin
    August 20, 2014

    My favorite dessert is pretty much anything, especially the home-made goods that me and my family bake.

    Reply

  • Liliana Kulinin
    August 20, 2014

    My favorite dessert is tiramisu cake that my mom, sister, and I bake.

    Reply

  • Nelya Kulinin
    August 20, 2014

    My favorite dessert would have to be a cake called “black rose” that I make at home.

    Reply

  • Irina
    August 20, 2014

    I like to make chocolate cherry roll but i use dulce le che and cream cheese for filling.

    Reply

  • Veronika G
    August 20, 2014

    MY favorite dessert thus far is your greek yogurt with blackberry cream cheese frosting cupcakes. They are so moist and easy to make.

    Reply

  • Vincent
    August 20, 2014

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/502210214502731776

    Reply

  • Vincent
    August 20, 2014

    I have 2 favorites: cherry cheese pie and strawberry shortcake.

    Reply

  • Kristina
    August 20, 2014

    I love Napoleon Cake, its is actually now my husband’s favorite too after having it so many times with my family.

    Reply

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