Kiwi and Raspberry Pavlova

If I really want to impress my friends and family, I make a pavlova! They are just so pretty look at and they are not as complicated to make as you may think!

Making a pavlova is pretty easy and relatively fool-proof! The results:  crunchy on the outside and as fluffy as a marshmallow inside. Topped with luscious whipped cream and gorgeous kiwis and raspberries…this is a dessert to IMPRESS!!
You could decorate your pavlova with whatever you prefer: fresh berries, cooked pears or apples (very fall!). For the chocolate lovers: you could add cocoa powder to the meringue and top with chocolate and cream…a chocolate pavlova delight!

The pavlova is as fluffy as a cloud and very delicate! Be super careful (it’s very fragile!) when you remove it from the parchment paper.

Important to remember: When the egg whites have quadrupled in volume, that is the time to add the sugar just a little bit at a time and keep on beating! and adding them slowly while whipping the mixture continuously. Even more important, when they are whipped to perfection…don’t wait to bake them. It’s important to get them shaped on your pan and put in the oven. No hesitating.

My very important tip for you: let it cool completely on the pan before transferring to your serving plate. I didn’t wait the most recent time I baked it and my pavlova did break apart a bit before I had a chance to decorate it. Luckily, nobody complained! Even not so perfect to look at…it was perfection to taste!

I slightly adapted a recipe from Saveur. 

 Kiwi and Raspberry Pavlova
Ingredients

1. 4 egg whites
2. 1 cup sugar
3. 2 teaspoons cornstarch
4. 1/4 teaspoon salt
5. 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
6. 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
7. 1 cup heavy cream chilled
8. 1/2 cup chilled plain yogurt
9. 1 cup fresh raspberries
10. 2 kiwi, peeled and sliced
11. honey

1. Preheat
   oven to 200 F. Let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
   Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw a 10-inch circle on the
   paper. Flip the paper over so circle is on the other side on the pan.
2. In a small bowl, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt; set aside.
3. For
   the meringue: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk, beat
   egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the sugar mixture 1
   Tablespoon at a time; continue beating on high speed until very stiff
   and glossy peaks form, about 5 more minutes. Beat in the vinegar and 1/2
   teaspoon of the vanilla.
4. Using
   a rubber spatula, spread the meringue over the circle. Shape it into a
   9″ disk by making the meringue conform to the circular outline; smooth
   top and sides with rubber spatula.
5. Bake for 1 hour and do not open the open door (make sure you don’t open to just check on it…it will be fine).
6. Turn
   off the oven and let the meringue dry in the oven with the door closed
   for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely (about
   3-4 hours).
7. Gently peel parchment paper from the meringue and, using 2 metal spatulas, transfer meringue to a cake stand.
8. In
   a medium bowl, beat the whipped cream, yogurt and 1 teaspoon of the
   vanilla until stiff peaks form. Pour the whipped cream mixture onto the
   cooled meringue and spread evenly over meringue’s top using a rubber
   spatula.
9. Decorate with kiwis and raspberries. Drizzle on the honey.