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

  • Susan Smith
    September 5, 2014

    My favorite desert is strawberry cheesecake.

    Reply

  • Tatiana
    September 5, 2014

    This pavlova looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
    My favorite desert has got to be a Molten Lava Cake. Gotta love chocolate!! 🙂

    Reply

  • Sarah
    September 4, 2014

    WOW amazing…Can’t wait to try. U look way too young to be married for 11 years 🙂

    Reply

  • Desi
    September 3, 2014

    My fave dessert is pineapple upside down cake!! But I pretty much go crazy for anything salted caramel or s’mores flavored too!

    Reply

  • janetfaye
    August 31, 2014

    Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/505974880463224833

    Reply

  • janetfaye
    August 31, 2014

    My favorite dessert is cheery pie with whipped cream on top.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  • Marina
    August 30, 2014

    My best dessert ever 🙂

    Reply

  • Ilona
    August 29, 2014

    Wow. This looks so pretty and too good to eat. I’ve always wanted to try pavlova. it look so fancy but easy to make.

    I am not sure if i am doing this correct, but it seems everyone is responding to what their favorite dessert is. I have to say any type and form of cheesecake is my favorite..Your latest cheesecake recipe is on my to do list.

    Reply

  • Kris
    August 29, 2014

    Definitely boccone dolce with a cup of fresh cappuccino 🙂

    Reply

  • Zhanna K
    August 29, 2014

    My favorite is Honey cake 🙂

    Reply

  • Natalie Yarbrough
    August 28, 2014

    I have a HUGE sweet tooth and my favorite dessert is cookie dough ice cream!! Yum!

    Reply

  • Natalie Yarbrough
    August 28, 2014

    I tweeted about the giveaway under @yarbr012 : https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/505106704359772160

    Reply

  • rachel
    August 27, 2014

    Death by Chocolate always gets me.

    Reply

  • Alina
    August 27, 2014

    I love spartak!

    Reply

  • Tanya
    August 26, 2014

    Salted caramel cake

    Reply

  • Tina M
    August 26, 2014

    https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/504437813228470272

    Reply

  • Tina M
    August 26, 2014

    i love key lime pie.

    Reply

  • Tanya
    August 26, 2014

    I love many sweets, but one of my favorite is spartak cake.

    Reply

  • Kim @ In Our Write Minds
    August 26, 2014

    My daughter-in-law is British. She introduced us to pavlovas during one of their visits to the States. It’s pretty high up there among my favorite desserts. Yours is absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply

  • Mila Ivanov
    August 25, 2014

    My all time favorite dessert is the vaccine dolce, which looks similar to this so I’m sure it’s delicious! I love how simple it is to make and how light and tasteful is is with every bite. Sometimes I need to be careful bc it’s light fluffy can make you want to eat one too many slices 😉

    Reply

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