If I had to name one thing that I begin to crave every time summer rolls around it would have to be a Mixed Berry Pavlova. One that is piled high with multiple layers, citrus curd, a treasure trove of fresh jewel tone berries, and a light and fluffy whipped topping. Otherwise known at our house as dessert perfection.
I am enamored by the way a few simple ingredients completely transform into perfect little cloud like layers just waiting to be devoured.
There isn't really much more that a girl could ask for in a decadent dessert. The fragile meringue layers are super delicate so you must quickly eat this pavlova after you assemble it. No time to sit and stare at its beauty my friend...eat that baby before she withers away!
PrintMixed Berry Pavlova (Gluten Free)
- Prep Time: 12 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 52 mins
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Ingredients
For the pavlova
- 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
- pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons champagne vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 cup ten Free & Vegan)">caster sugar, AKA: superfine sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
For the toppings: Make sure all fruit has been washed and thoroughly dried
- 1 cups sliced strawberries and 3-5 whole
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pint raspberries
- ⅔ cup citrus curd, either homemade or store bought; orange or lemon
- 1 ½ cups coconut whipped cream or regular whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°F with a rack in the lower third. Use an 8-inch pan to trace 3 circles with pencil on parchment. Place the parchment, marking side down, on baking sheets.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on low speed until foamy. Add the salt, vinegar, and cornstarch. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes until soft peaks form. Add the caster sugar in 4 additions, beating on medium-high speed until meringue is stiff and glossy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the almond extract.
- Use a silicone spatula to spread ⅓ of the meringue on each of the parchment paper circles, then use the back of a spoon to thin out the center while building up the sides. You want the pavlova edges to be approximately 1 ¼ - 1 ½ inches high.
- Bake until the meringue is glossy and hard to the touch, approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes; if the meringue begins to turn darker in color reduce the temperature of the oven slightly. When the meringue has finished cooking, turn off the oven and let it cool in the oven with the door closed for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. The pavlova will lift easily off the parchment.
To serve
- Gently spread ⅓ cup citrus curd over of one of the discs almost to the edges and top with a sprinkling of ½ cup sliced strawberries. Set the second pavlova layer on top and repeat the process of layering ⅓ cup citrus curd and the remaining sliced strawberries. Place the last layer of the pavlova on top and gently use a spoon to mound the coconut whipped cream in the center and spread out towards the sides leaving about a 1 ½- 2 inch border.Top the whipped cream with all of the blueberries, raspberries, and a couple of whole strawberries just for effect. Serve immediately.
Notes
Cooking & prep time does not include the cooling period after baking.
Pavlova's are very delicate, do not top them or add any liquid like curd or whipped cream until you are ready to serve.
Jen from New Hippie Kitchen says
Oh I've always wanted to make a pavlova. They look so gorgeous!
Meg says
Thank you so much Jen!! You should really give it a try. It is super easy:)
Jo from yummyvege says
I love pavlova, it's my favourite dessert but I'm usually lazy and buy a ready made base. Maybe it's time to do it myself.
Meg says
Jo, I have had the premade base before, but homemade is SO much better! I usually just whip them up after dinner, bake them and leave them in the oven overnight. Super easy and seriously addictive.
renee (will frolic for food) says
beautiful work! i've been wanting to try pavlova for years and i think i just might make it happen this summer! what with all of the berries of the season needing to be piled on top of something sweet. love the idea of using curd in between stacked layers.
Meg says
Thanks so much Renee! I love pavlova's they are SO easy and elegant at the same time. I hope you love it when you make yours this summer:)
Cara says
Beautiful, simply beautiful sister friend! I've never had a Pavlova (I live under a rock). It's probably because while you are craving this during summer, I am eating my weight in potato chips and beer 🙂
Meg says
Haha! Thanks Cara. Don't be fooled, I eat my weight in chips and beer too. I just have a slice of this in between:)