A pavlova is a dessert that consists of a crispy layer of meringue enveloping a soft and creamy interior. Pavlova is served with fresh fruit to create a refreshing and light dessert that also has some nutritional value. Kiwi fruit is one of the most common fruits to include in a pavlova recipe and will add some vitamin C and potassium to your dessert. While a pavlova does not include many ingredients, perfecting the art of a crispy outer shell and a marshmallow-like interior is not easy. With a few tips and techniques, you can proudly serve a kiwi fruit pavlova.
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
Step 3
Trace around the round cake pan to create a circle on the foil.
Step 4
In a small bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt.
Step 5
Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until soft peaks begin to form.
Step 6
Sprinkle in 2 tbsp. of the white sugar and continue to beat with the electric mixer until the sugar dissolves.
Step 7
Continue adding the sugar, 2 tbsp. at a time, and mixing each addition until it dissolves completely.
Step 8
Beat the mixture after the sugar additions until the mixture forms shiny and stiff peaks.
Step 9
Spoon the meringue mixture into the circle you have drawn on the aluminum foil. Use a rubber spatula to help guide the meringue where you want it to go. Your finished product should stand about 1 1/2 inches tall.
Step 10
Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for one hour and 15 minutes, or until the meringue has become golden brown and slightly crispy.
Step 11
Remove the meringue from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Step 12
Peel the meringue from the aluminum foil using a metal spatula and place on a serving platter.
Step 13
Peel the kiwi fruit and thinly slice using a sharp knife.
Step 14
Place the whipping cream and vanilla extract in a small bowl and beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
Step 15
Spoon the whipped cream onto the meringue and top with kiwi slices.
Step 16
Slice and serve immediately.
Tips and Warnings
- Draw different shapes on your aluminum foil. Try a heart for Valentine's Day or a tree for Christmas. Trace around a cookie cutter to make butterflies, dinosaurs or flowers to fit the theme of a child's birthday party. Use any type of fruit you would like, in addition to, or in place of, kiwi fruit. Other common fruits for pavlova include strawberries, banana, passion fruit, pineapple and papaya.
Things You'll Need
- Cookie sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Round cake pan
- Pen or pencil
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/4 tsp. of cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp. of salt
- 1/4 cup of white sugar
- Small bowl
- Electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Wire cooling rack
- Metal spatula
- Serving platter
- 6 kiwi fruits
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Spoon
References
- "A Baker's Odyssey"; Greg Patent, Kelly Gorham and Dave McLean; 2007
- "The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Book of Desserts"; Good Housekeeping; 2004
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