Pavlova

This dessert is just simply amazing!  If you never heard of it is a meringue dessert that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside topped with homemade whipped cream and berries.  It is light and tastes like heaven!  

The Meringue

6 egg whites

Pinch of salt

2 cups superfine sugar

1 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp vanilla extract

The topping

1-pint berries cut into bite size pieces, I used strawberries and blueberries

½ cup water

4 Tbsp confectioners sugar

1 Tbsp cornstarch

The whipped cream

2 cups of heavy or whipping cream

3 Tbsp confectioners sugar

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and draw a rough circle using a round pan the size you would like and flip the parchment over making sure you can see the trace on the other side.

Whisk the egg whites and salt until small peaks form. Add the sugar a little at a time until incorporated. Add vinegar, vanilla and cornstarch mix until just combined. Mound the meringue mixture in the middle of the circle. Flatten the top and smooth the sides. Cook for 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours. The meringue should have risen and cracked all over. Turn the oven off, open the oven door and remove the Pavlova when it has completely cooled.

To make the topping, in a saucepan combine blueberries, sugar and water and Cook on medium until blueberries start to burst. Add cornstarch and mix to combine. This should thicken as it cooks. Whip the cream until thickened and add the sugar to combine.

To assemble, invert the Pavlova and remove parchment. Pile the whipped cream on the meringue spreading to the edge. Pour the blueberry sauce over the top of the whipped cream.

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