Pavlova (Egg White Meringue Dessert) Recipe

Pavlova with raspberry sauce — Elise Bauer

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It's no coincidence the late Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, for whom the Pavlova dessert was named, is said to have been ethereal, delicate, and slightly controversial. Her namesake, this simple confection, is a straightforward enough list of ingredients, but the end result is all about touch, finesse.

It has attracted more than its fair share of controversy. Two distinct neighboring countries take credit for invention and creation.

Origin of Pavlova

For the sake of staying neutral, we will say both New Zealand and Australia are to blame for the delicious Pavlova; an edible translation of sugar turned into cumulous clouds, it is one of the best vehicles for seasonal fruit, whipped cream, sorbet, and ice cream.

Whether you hail from Australia, New Zealand or elsewhere, I hope you'll attempt this gorgeous recipe. It's a delightful dessert any time of year.

How To Make Pavlova: Working With Egg Whites

Sweet, crunchy, and meltingly soft, Pavlova is a reason for understanding the fickle, hard-working, all-purpose egg white.

How to Separate Eggs

You create your best egg white-based confections when you know how to treat this important part of the egg. An egg white is pure protein. When at room temperature to begin with, egg whites will grow bigger and stronger with whipping.

For this reason, it's best to start whipping egg whites at a lower speed, increasing incrementally as you get to the aspired consistency. I like to say I’m cajoling my egg whites into submission.
To achieve room temperature egg whites, take eggs out the night before you need them, or place in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes to take their chill off.
Make sure all bowls, hands, and utensils touching egg whites are as clean and free of random oils as possible. When separating eggs, crack in half and gently toss the yolk back and forth between the eggshell halves, dripping egg white out into a clean container.
If a bit of yolk drops into your pristine whites, fish it out with a clean eggshell. Hint: if a bit of shell gets in, they will sink to the bottom and be easy to spot and hold back when it comes time to use the egg whites.
Not sure what to do with the leftover egg yolks? Most custards like pastry cream or stovetop pudding are egg yolk based.

Recipe adapted from Flo Baker's pavlovas in the San Francisco Chronicle: Fourth of July dessert has roots in Australia

Pavlova

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 60 mins

Total Time 80 mins

Servings 8 to 10 servings

Yield 8 to 10 individual Pavlovas

Adding an acid such as cream of tartar (a dry acid) or vinegar will help give the meringue structure. You can use either. If you are using cream of tartar, mix it in with the egg whites from the beginning. If you are using vinegar, add it with the vanilla extract later in the process.

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For the meringue

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons white vinegar (exclude if using cream or tartar)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup (6 ounces, about 6) large egg whites, preferably room temperature
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (exclude if using vinegar)
Pinch salt

For the topping

2 pints fresh or frozen berries
1/4 cup sugar
Whipped cream for topping

Preheat the oven to 275°F.

Place rack in the middle of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the vanilla and vinegar (if using):

Pour the vanilla extract and vinegar (if using) into a small cup.

(If you're using cream of tartar instead of vinegar, skip this step.)
Combine the sugar and cornstarch:

Stir the cornstarch into the sugar in a small bowl.
Whip the egg whites, cream of tartar (if using), and salt:

In a large bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip the egg whites, cream of tartar (if using), and salt, starting on low, increasing incrementally to medium speed until soft peaks/trails start to become visible and the egg white bubbles are very small and uniform, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Add the sugar-cornstarch mixture, vanilla, and whip:

Increase speed to medium-high, slowly and gradually sprinkling in the sugar-cornstarch mixture.

A few minutes after these dry ingredients are added, slowly pour in the vanilla (or the vanilla/vinegar mixture if you're using vinegar instead of cream of tartar).

Increase speed a bit and whip until meringue is glossy and stiff peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 4 to 5 minutes.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Pipe the meringues:

On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone liner, pipe or spoon the meringue into 8 to 10 large round mounds that are 3 inches wide. With the back of a spoon, create an indentation in the middle of the mound for holding the filling once meringue is baked.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Bake:

Place baking sheet in the 275°F oven. Reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the meringues are crisp, dry to the touch on the outside, and white (not tan-colored or cracked). The interiors should have a marshmallow-like consistency.

Check on meringues at least once during the baking time. If they appear to be taking on color or cracking, reduce temperature 25 degrees and turn pan around.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Cool:

Gently lift from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack. The meringues will keep in a tightly sealed container or individually wrapped at room temperature for up to a week if your house is not humid.
Make the optional topping:

If you want to make a berry sauce, heat the berries over medium heat in a medium saucepan with the sugar. Cook, stirring once or twice, for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the berries are jammy.

Remove from heat and let cool completely. If you make the sauce ahead of time, store it in the fridge.
Serve:

Top with your favorite filling (lemon curd, raspberry or blueberry sauce, and/or freshly whipped cream) and serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
133	Calories
0g	Fat
31g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories	133
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 47mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate 31g	11%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 30g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 2mg	0%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 59mg	1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.