Pavlova Shell Recipes

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pulse sugar 12-15 times in a food processor so it is more fine like caster sugar. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until foamy and soft peaks begin to form.
• With the mixer on medium-low speed (setting 3 on a 10-speed mixer), gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, waiting 20-30 seconds between each addition to allow the sugar to better dissolve in the egg whites. Be sure to stop the mixer and scrape the bowl once or twice during this process.
• Once all of the sugar has been added, increase the mixer speed slightly (setting 4 on a 10-speed mixer) and let it whisk the egg whites and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved and the meringue is glossy and thick, with stiff peaks. This may take about 15 minutes at this speed, but don't rush it using a higher speed which is more likely to break the egg whites. You won't get the same wonderfully fluffy texture if you beat the meringue too quickly. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice to be sure it mixes evenly.
• While the egg whites and sugar are mixing, combine the cornstarch, lemon juice or vinegar, and vanilla in a small bowl to create a slurry. When the meringue is glossy and thick and you feel very few grains of sugar when rubbing a bit of it between your fingers, increase the speed slightly and add in the cornstarch slurry. Mix for 30 seconds, scraping the side of the bowl to be sure it is evenly combined.
• Pile the meringue into the middle of the parchment paper and use spatula or the back of a spoon to shape it into a mound roughly 8-inches in diameter. Use the spatula to gently push some of the meringue from the middle of the mound toward to edges to build them up so the pavlova is flat instead of rounded on top. You can make decorative swirls up the sides, if you wish, but smooth any pointy peaks with the spatula.
• Place in the preheated oven and immediately decrease the heat to 225 degrees F.
• Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn off the oven with the pavlova inside and allow it to cool slowly for 2-3 hours. It will be crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.
• Just before serving, top the pavlova with a generous amount of sweetened whipped cream and your favorite fresh fruit, chocolate, lemon curd, or fruit sauce!

PAVLOVA!!

Steps:

• Separate the whites and yolks while eggs are cold. Measure 150 ml/5oz egg whites (140 - 160ml is ok).
• Set whites aside to come to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 150C/300F (fan / convection) / 170C/340F (standard).
• Place whites in a bowl. Use a stand mixer (I use speed 7) or handheld beater (high) and beat until soft peaks form (Note 2)
• Add sugar 1 tbsp at a time, beating as you go. (Note 3)
• After adding the sugar, beat for a further 3 minutes or until thick and glossy. Rub a little of the fluff between your fingers, there should be no sugar grit - that means it is ready.
• Add cornflour and vinegar, beat on low for 5 - 7 seconds (or fold through with spatula) until just mixed through.

PAVLOVA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the Oven to 225˚ F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using your stand mixer, beat 6 egg whites on high speed 1 min until soft peaks form. With the mixer on, gradually add 1 1/2 cups sugar and beat 10 min on high speed, or until stiff peaks form. It will be smooth and glossy.
• Use a spatula to quickly fold in 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice and 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract, then fold in 2 tsp corn starch and mix until well blended.
• Pipe meringue into 3 to 3 1/2 inches wide nests onto the parchment paper using a Wilton 1M Tip. Indent the center with a spoon to allow room for cream. Bake at 225˚ for 1 hr and 15 min then turn the oven off and without opening the door, let meringue in the hot oven another 30 min. Outsides will be dry and crisp to the tap and very pale cream-colored and insides will still be marshmallow soft.
• Transfer the pavlova with the parchment paper onto the counter or a cookie rack and allow it to cool to room temp. Once cool, you can top them with whipped cream and fruit or store in an airtight container for 3-5 days at room temperature (in a low humidity place).
• Beat cold whipping cream with 2 Tbsp sugar in the cold bowl for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes or until whipped and spreadable.
• Pipe frosting onto the pavlova and top with fresh fruit.*

PERFECT PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Make sure all the equipment is clean and dry (mixer bowl, whisk, two spatulas, sugar bowl, bowls to separate egg yolks and whites etc.).
• Preheat oven to 300°F / 150°C. Cut a piece of parchment paper that's big enough to line a baking tray. Draw a circle that's 8 in / 20 cm in diameter on the underside of the parchment paper. Line the baking tray with the parchment paper (with the drawn circle on the underside). Set aside until needed.
• Carefully break an egg, and strain the egg white into a small clean bowl, taking care not to break the egg yolk. Once you've successfully separated the egg white, transfer this into a mixer bowl that is on a weighing scale. Repeat with more eggs, until you have 221 g of egg whites (give or take 5 grams). If you get any yolk into the egg white, you must discard the contaminated egg white and start again with another egg.
• Do not throw away the egg yolks, since you can make other recipes with them (see end of the post for some ideas). Store egg yolks in an air-tight container, with a layer of water to coat them on top.
• Once the egg whites are measured and in the mixer bowl, whisk the egg whites on speed 4 (on a 10 speed mixer) until it reaches soft peak stage (i.e. when you lift the whisk, soft peaks should be formed in the egg whites). This may take about 10 minutes.
• When the egg whites are at soft peak stage, lower the speed to 3, and add the sugar, 1 - 2 tbsp at a time. Make sure each addition of sugar is dissolved before adding the next. I wait about 30 seconds between each addition. Also scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once, while adding the sugar. Do not rush this process. This can take about 10 -15 minutes.
• Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed to 4, and whisk the egg whites just until the sugar has completely dissolved, and the egg whites are thick and glossy, and hold their shape well.
• Here's how to check if the sugar has dissolved - take a small amount of the meringue mix between your fingers and rub it. If it feels grainy or has any granules, then there's undissolved sugar. If you don't feel any granules or grittiness, then the sugar is completely dissolved. I also like to make sure that I don't see any undissolved sugar in a few other places in the meringue (under the whisk, in the bowl etc).
• Whisking egg whites until the sugar completely dissolves can take between 15 - 30 minutes, depending on the sugar you use. Do not rush this, and check on the meringue periodically to make sure you won't over-whisk it. Use the spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times as well.
• While the egg whites are being whisked, place the cornstarch and vinegar in a small bowl and mix to combine. The cornstarch mix will be a thick, paste like slurry. (please note cornstarch forms an ooblek that is a solid when sitting, but a paste when moving around).
• Once the sugar is dissolved, and the meringue is glossy and thick, immediately add the cornstarch and vinegar slurry. Increase the speed to about 5 - 6 and let the cornstarch slurry mix into the egg whites for about 30 - 45 seconds. Then stop whisking and remove the bowl from the mixer.
• Using a clean spatula, scoop the meringue in the bowl out on to the parchment paper with the drawn circle. Pile the meringue in the middle of the drawn circle. Be careful not to scoop out the top edge of meringue in the mixer bowl to prevent any undissolved sugar getting into the mixture (see picture in the post).
• Using an offset spatula, spread the meringue mix to fill the drawn circle on the parchment paper. Make sure the meringue mix is evenly tall.
• Once you have shaped the pavlova (see pictures in the post), use an offset spatula or palette knife to create furrows along the sides of the pavlova, going from bottom to top. Smoothen the edges to get rid of meringue points (that can burn easily). The pavlova should have soft, rounded edges. Create some swirls on the middle of the meringue on top as well.
• Transfer the cake into the preheated oven, and immediately reduce the temperature to 225°F / 110°C.
• Bake the pavlova for 90 minutes. Do not open the oven door during this time.
• When the 90 minutes are up, turn off the oven and allow the pavlova to cool down in the oven overnight (or up to 6 hours, until completely cooled down).
• Transfer the pavlova into an air-tight container and store in a cool dry place (free of draft), until ready to serve. Do not store in the fridge or freezer.
• Place the chilled whipping cream in a chilled bowl. Whisk the cream on medium speed. (Do not over-whisk the cream as it can become grainy. If you whisk the cream on high, you risk over-beating it, and the cream will deflate faster, making the pavlova runny.)
• While whisking the cream, add the confectioner's sugar and vanilla into it. Mix until you have stiff peaks, but the cream is still smooth.
• Spread the cream on top of the pavlova, and top it with the prepared fruits. Drizzle/spread the passion fruit of lemon curd over the top as well (if using).
• Serve immediately.

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 130 degrees celsius (fan-forced)
• Line a baking tray, round bottom from a round springform pan or round pizza tray with baking paper.
• Beat egg whites and salt on medium-high speed until the mixture forms soft peaks.
• Add sugar gradually while mixing on low speed. Then return to med-high speed and beat for another two minutes. The mixture should look thick and glossy and there should be no granules when you rub the mixture between two fingers - if not, continue beating for another minute.
• Return mixture to low speed and add vanilla extract and vinegar. Mix until combined.
• Pour mixture onto the lined tray, creating a circle about 17cm in diameter. Using your spatula, brush up the sides of the circle towards an imaginary point about 50 cm above the centre of the pavlova. This will give the shape a slightly domed effect and help with the stability or your pavlova. Make sure the top of the pavlova is flat.
• Place pavlova in oven and cook for 15 minutes before turning oven down to 100 degrees celsius (fan-forced) and cooking for another 45 minutes.
• Turn oven off after cooking time elapses but DO NOT open the oven door. Leave the pavlova to cool in the oven for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
• Once completely cool, remove from the oven.
• To make the whipped cream, simply combine the cream and icing sugar and the beat until soft peaks form. Don't overbeat to form stiff peaks as you will risk crushing the pavlova as you decorate it.
• Cut fruit to your liking (and substitute other fruits if you prefer banana, figs, raspberries or something else) and use a little creativity to make your pavlova truly special. Decorate with whipped cream and fruit just before serving.

EASY PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw a 9-inch circle on the parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Gradually add in the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat until thick and glossy. Gently fold in vanilla extract, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
• Spoon mixture inside the circle drawn on the parchment paper. Working from the center, spread mixture toward the outside edge, building edge slightly. This should leave a slight depression in the center.
• Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a wire rack.
• In a small bowl, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form; set aside. Remove the paper, and place meringue on a flat serving plate. Fill the center of the meringue with whipped cream, and top with kiwifruit slices.

NEW ZEALAND PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat the oven to 275 F/140 C and place the rack in the middle of the oven.
• Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and score a 7-inch circle on the foil with the blunt edge of a knife, without tearing the foil. (Use a bowl as a guide.) Set aside.
• In a clean, medium-sized metal bowl, beat the egg whites with a clean electric mixer on medium speed until the whites form soft peaks .
• Gently sprinkle the sugar into the egg whites, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating continuously until the whites form stiff glossy peaks.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch and vinegar on the meringue and fold in gently with a plastic spatula.
• Add the vanilla and gently fold the mixture again.
• Now gently spread the meringue in the circle on the foil to make a circular base. Make sure the edges of the meringue are slightly higher than the center so you have a shallow well in the middle.
• Bake the meringue for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until it turns a very pale, pinkish eggshell color.
• Turn off the oven and leave the door slightly ajar to let the meringue cool completely. As the meringue cools, it will crack slightly.
• Just before serving, take the meringue out of the oven and gently transfer it from the foil to a plate.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Whip the cream with the vanilla and icing sugar until it forms peaks and set aside.
• Prepare the fruit by washing it and slicing any that aren't going to be left whole.
• If using bananas, toss with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Gently spread the cream over the top of the cooled meringue with a spatula.
• Arrange the fruit on top. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.
• Serve immediately and enjoy.

PAVLOVA SHELL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 160 degree C (320 degree F).
• Grease pavlova plate (or baking/cookie sheet will do) well, sprinkle liberally with cornflour , shaking off excess.
• Combine all ingredient for pavlova into a small mixing bowl of mixer and beat at high speed for 15 minutes.
• Place meringue in centre of greased plate and spread over plate (in a 8 to 9 inch circle) or if preferred pipe onto the plate making it slightly thicker at the edges, so a dip is formed for filling.
• Bake for 15 minutes at 160 degree C (320 degree F), lower temperature to 110 degree C (210 degree F) and bake for a further 30 minutes.
• LET PAVLOVA GO COLD IN THE OVEN (DO NOT REMOVE TILL COLD).
• Fill with whipped cream and decorate with sliced seasonal fruit of choice (eg bananas, kiwifruit, berries and passionfruit are some suggestions).