Pavlova - Australian dessert

By MJH

A large meringue cake that can be topped with whipped cream and fruit. This is an Australian specialty.

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 1 1/8 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Details

Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 205mins
Adapted from allrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Beat egg whites in a large, clean bowl with electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Add sugar to beaten egg whites.

In separate bowl, mix together vinegar, vanilla and cornstarch until smooth.

Pour cornstarch mixture into egg white mixture and beat until thick and glossy, 4 minutes.

Cover a baking sheet in parchment paper and draw an 8 inch (20 centimeter) circle in the center. Spoon or pipe mixture inside the circle, to within a little less than an inch (2 centimeters) from the edge.

Place in preheated oven, reduce temperature to 200 degrees F (100 degrees C), and bake 1 hour.

Turn oven off and leave Pavlova to cool inside.

Decorate cooled Pavlova with whipped cream and fruit to serve.

Option:
Decorate the cake with chocolate flakes and chocolate sauce and serve with fruit on the side.