Recipes

Berry-Lemon Pavlova

This elegant dessert features a baked meringue topped with a pillow of whipped mascarpone cream, berries and mint.

Named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova in 1926, this dessert is as elegant as a pirouette yet easy to make. After baking, let the meringue cool completely before taking it from the oven, which helps minimize cracking. Top the confection with a pillow of whipped mascarpone cream, berries and mint.

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1 cup superfine (caster) sugar
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
  • 7 tbsp granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 (8-ounce) container mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 tsp grated lemon zest
  • Mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 250ºF. Position rack in center of oven. Draw a 7-inch circle on parchment paper. Place paper, circle side down, on a baking sheet.
  2. For meringue, in a large mixing bowl beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium until soft peaks form (tips curl). Add superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight) and sugar is almost dissolved. Sprinkle cornstarch, vinegar and vanilla over mixture; fold in gently. Spoon meringue over circle on paper; build up sides to form a shell. Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until the outside is dry.
  3. Turn oven off, leaving meringue in oven with door slightly open until cooled completely (1½ to 2 hours). As the meringue cools, the outside may crack slightly.*
  4. For berry filling, about 30 minutes before serving, in a medium bowl stir together berries and 3 tablespoons sugar. Let stand 15 minutes.
  5. For mascarpone cream, in a medium bowl combine mascarpone cheese, whipping cream, remaining sugar and lemon zest. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high until soft peaks form. Spoon mixture into meringue shell. Arrange berry mixture on top. If desired, garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.
  6. *Note: You can store the meringue shell in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or in the freezer up to 6 months.

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