Although a Pavlova is fabulous at any time of the year, it is a particular favourite of ours paired with summer berries. They are not difficult to make, providing you follow a few simple rules, and they really do make a stunning and delicious dessert.
I was taught to make Pavlova and Meringues as a child, and to this day I still follow exactly the same method I was shown back then, and am now teaching to my kids.
For meringues I simply use egg whites and caster sugar in a weighed ratio of 1:2, but when I make a Pavlova I also include a little cornflour, white wine vinegar and vanilla extract, which allegedly stabilises the mix, and reduces the risk of it collapsing.
Top tips for making a Pavlova
To start, I always wash my bowl and whisk attachment in hot soapy water and dry them. This is the only time I ever rewash something that is already clean, but I was taught that any traces of grease could cause the Pavlova to fail, and have never been tempted to challenge it!
I was also taught to use older eggs for any meringue, and to make sure they are at room temperature, cracking them one at a time into a bowl to separate the whites from the yolk, discarding any of them where the yolk breaks (as that introduces fat into the whites).
How to make a 2 layer Pavlova
- 200g egg whites (which was 6 eggs)
- 400g caster sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornflour
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Fresh Fruit and whipping cream to serve
We beat the egg whites until they were so stiff that we could hold the bowl over our head without them falling out, and then beat in the sugar, a dessert spoon at a time, until it was all incorporated, and the mix was thick and glossy (this takes about 15 minutes).
You are aiming for the sugar to dissolve into the egg white, and for the mixture to feel smooth rather than grainy between your finger and thumb (I had given up trying to take photos by this stage as we were all getting sticky!)
Whisk in the cornflour, vinegar and extract and spoon onto baking parchment in two circles. Pop into your oven set on it’s coolest setting and bake for 2 hours. Essentially you are drying the meringue, rather than cooking it. You want it to come out a beautiful, snowy white.
Pavlovas should be crisp on the outside, but still soft on the inside. I carefully peel mine off the baking parchment when I take it out, and check the bottom. If it is still very soft I’ll pop it back in the oven for another half hour.
Store in an air-tight container if not serving straight away. Oonce you are ready to serve, fill, and pile high with whipped cream and any topping you fancy!
For more amazing dessert ideas check out our Amaretti Apple Tart and our Raspberry and Hibiscus Jelly.
24 comments
I admit I’ve never heard of a PAVLOVA but it looks amazing!!
Oh they really are delicious Sarah, although probably not the healthiest of desserts – definitely something you should try at least once, if you get a chance :)
I make this time and time again it’s my dream desert it’s a first class show stopper, 10 out of 10 from me ;-)
They always look fab don’t they :)
Oh this looks seriously amazing! An instagram shot for sure!
It did find it’s way on to Instagram – felt like a proper blogger, making my guests wait while I took a couple of photos before they were allowed to eat it!
Looks amazing and I bet tasted fantastic! I have never tried to make Meringues, I have always been nervous it wouldn’t work out. Loving your tips about washing the bowl etc, I will need to bare that in mind if I try it out. I may have to do it one day, there is just something extra yummy about home made ones! X
I hope you do try and make one Yvonne, it’s really not hard and they do taste amazing :)
I have never heard of Pavlova, but I do remember my mother making meringue and talking about how it has to be just right. When it comes to cooking and something has to be just right I find I’m not to good at it. Guess it’s the impatience in me Lol. It’s sure looks yummy and almost to pretty to eat!
Thanks Linda, we make quite a lot of meringues as we keep chickens so often have a glut of eggs. Do consider making one, I bet it’d turn out fabulous :)
Oh this looks amazing! Like Tara I always thought this would be something really complicated to make. Nice to know it’s not.
They really aren’t difficult Lyndsey, let me know how you get on if you make one :)
This looks beautiful, and I’m sure my kids would love it, too. I’ve always thought pavlova would be very complicated to make, but this sound like something I could do. Definitely trying it soon!
They really aren’t hard to make Tara – let me know if you try it :)
I’ve only had one pavlova before at a restaurant & it tasted amazing!!! I just loved it, so looking at this one has made me crave a lovely refreshing fruit pavlova. It looks delicious. I’d really like to have a go at making one.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Its simple to make Jordanne, and they are a lovely dessert :)
This looks amazing! I’m not a massive fab of meringue but this is tempting
They are very sweet – not surprisingly my kids love them :)
I have never made a Pavlova before, but I always wanted to give it a try. Love your recipe. It really is one of the most beautiful cakes!
They always look wonderful, and are a delicious treat – we made this one as we had friends over for Sunday lunch :)
Almost too lovely to eat. Can a flour besides corn flour be used, like a rice flour? Do you think it might work?
I think rice flour would work, or you could just leave it out – I’ve seen recipes that don’t include any flour, and others that suggest using cream of tartar instead which would be another alternative you could try :)
I have always wanted to make one of these. I have made meringue cookies but never a pavlova. I may just have to give it a whirl this weekend.
Let me know what you think if you try it Brianna, they really are delicious :)