Back when I was a fussy eater, I loved meringue. They were my bakery treat of choice whenever we were given a treat and the coloured ones with sprinkles or dipped in chocolate were always my favourites. Add cream and fruit to it though and I would turn my nose in disgust.
Fast forward a few years and I can't get enough of cream and berries. Simply combining them with a sweet crunchy meringue makes one very easy, casual and seriously tasty dessert.
Since discovering my love of cream with meringue I've made a few versions of the humble pavlova and it's turned into one of my favourite summer desserts. Most recently, I created a little make-your-own-pavlova bar for Father's Day.
It makes deciding how to top the pavlova easy - the guests do all the work. Plus everyone gets to have theirs just the way they like it.
That night, the cream had all been eaten but I still had some berries and meringue left. I added a bit of yoghurt instead of cream and it made a delicious dessert that I like to think is healthier than the cream version.
Chocolate or lollies could work as toppings for an even sweeter treat too and if you're short on time, you can buy pre-made meringue nests at the supermarket then all you have to do is whip the cream and cut up the fruit. It's the perfect summer dessert to feed a crowd.
What about you? What's your favourite pavlova topping?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- 1 cup caster sugar
- selection of fruit and berries
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon icing sugar
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 130C fan-forced and line two baking trays with paper.
- Beat the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Add the caster sugar a little at a time and beat until the meringue is thick and glossy.
- Place big blobs of meringue onto the baking sheets and smooth out the tops. Make sure they're all roughly the same size.
- Bake the meringues for 35 minutes and then open the oven a little, turn it off and leave them to cool completely in the oven.
- Whip the cream until it is thick then add the icing sugar and vanilla and keep whipping until it just almost holds its shape.
- Set up your pavlova bar and instruct guests to start with a meringue, top it with cream then cover it in fresh fruit.
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice says
What a fantastic idea for a dinner with friends and family... so much fun and everyone gets exactly what they want!
Claire says
Thanks Yasmeen. My favourite thing is that everyone gets what they want and you don't have to think about which person doesn't like strawberries!
Jo Smith says
Dessert DIY. Yum! Could you add some sprinkles and melted chocolate for dipping - just for old times sake of course!
Claire says
I like the sound of that Jo!
Hotly Spiced says
What a fun dessert. I love meringue too and I used to have them at all my birthday parties, coloured blue (my favourite colour) and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands before putting them in the oven. We still eat a lot of meringue in this house. It's one of those desserts that's perfect for entertaining because it can be made in advance unlike the stress of the dreaded souffle xx
Claire says
That's what I love Charlie you can make it days earlier. I never have much luck with colouring it, especially green. It seems to always turn out slime-colored.
Karen says
How far ahead can you make the meringues?
Claire says
If you can make sure they're stored air-tight then a few days ahead is fine. Here in Queensland they don't often last but if it's dry they will be fine!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
This is a great idea for a dinner party or event! :D
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
That's what we had for dessert last night too but I just made them and brought them into the lounge while we were watching footie. :)
Claire says
Even better Maureen - they're a good in front of the tv dessert too.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Beautiful Claire! I love them with lemon curd and fresh strawberries, super yummy! And the curd is a wonderful thing to do with the leftover egg yolks.
Claire says
Now you're talking Chris! My poor egg yolks sat in the fridge and I forgot about them :-(
celia says
Great idea, Claire! Then no-one needs to have banana on their pavlova! :D
Claire says
Banana on pavlova? I don't think I'd be a fan of that either.