Pavlova ~Great Dessert for berry Season!

I decided to make a pavlova. I love meringue and adding whipped cream and berries makes a great dessert to serve when you havecompany. If there are any leftovers, they won't last long.

This was my first attempt and I have always had to fuss with meringue, but I like to use eggs at room temperature and make sure the mixing bowl and beaters are clean and chilled - I pop them in the freezer for 15 - 20 minutes. Since I have moved and downsized, I have very little room and can't find have my cooking and baking items, so I improvised. I felt like my Grandma, no fuss no muss style baking.

I used 4 egg whites, 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 tsp vinegar and 1/2 tsp of vanilla.

I carefully cracked the eggs and put the whites into a glass bowl. I used a 2 qt pyrex bowl. Slowly add the sugar and beat at a high speed until the meringue becomes stiff and peaks.

 

I continued to beat and slowly add the sugar.

 

 

It is starting to form and make peaks.

 

Pour the meringue onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet and use a spatula to make a pillbox shape. I take the spatula and try to make an upward 'swoop' and try to make it peak.

 

Place it into a 250 degree F oven and bake for 90 minutes. (1 1/2 hrs)

 

I looked in to see it turn a light golden colour.

 

After baking for 90 minutes, turn off the oven and let sit in the oven with the door open - until it is coolled down.

 

The centre of the meringue should have some slight cracking and begin to settle, underneath the top it should have a marshmallow consistency. Let sit until you are ready to serve. This one has a slight tilt to it, but the whipped cream and berries can cover that :)



When you are ready to serve, add whipped cream into the middle of the meringue and then add berries. I used fresh picked local strawberries and some blackberries. You can garnish with whatever you choose but I prefer the berries.

Enjoy.