One last summer recipe

Sunday, September 30, 2012


I know it’s way past the end of summer.  It’s late September – practically October – and I should be posting fall recipes.  Every other blog I’m reading has recipes for pumpkin bread, apple pie, or hearty stews.  

Maybe I wasn't ready to say goodbye to summer, or maybe I just got behind on my postings.  Whatever it was, I couldn’t let the end of September go by without posting my favourite Berry Pavlova.  And then I promise I will turn the page to fall.

The biggest surprise is how long it’s taken me to post this recipe, regardless of the season.  As you might guess from the name of this blog, I love meringues, and I’ve been making this dessert for years.  I’ve been hesitant to post it because meringues are unpredictable and I didn’t know how the photos would turn out.

I made this pavlova in August, with fresh berries.  I generally make it in the summer, although I’ve also made it for Christmas using frozen berries, with great results.  I often make it with a mix of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, but opted for just raspberries this time because I thought it would look pretty against the checked tablecloth.  Because that's the kind of thing you think about when you're making a summer recipe.

Three-Layer Berry and Brown Sugar Pavlova
(recipe from epicurious)

For meringue:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tsp distilled white vinegar
3/4 cup egg whites (about 6 large eggs), at room temperature 30 minutes

For berries:
4 pints raspberries
2 Tbsp granulated sugar

For cream:
1 cup chilled heavy cream
1/3 cup chilled sour cream

To make meringues:

Preheat oven to 275 degrees with rack in middle.  Lightly butter 3 - 8” or 9” round cake pans, and line bottoms with a round of parchment paper.

Combine sugar, brown sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.

In another small bowl, stir together vanilla and vinegar.

Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks.  Increase speed to medium-high and add sugar mixture 1 Tbsp at a time.  After all sugar has been added, beat one minute more.  Add vinegar mixture, then beat at high speed until meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 5 minutes.  Spoon meringue into pans and smooth tops.

Bake about 1 hour.  Turn oven off and prop door open slightly with a wooden spoon.  Cool meringues in oven one hour.  Meringues may sink slightly and crack while cooking.

Run knife along sides of cake pans and carefully turn meringues out of pans.  Carefully peel off parchment, and turn right side up.

To macerate fruit:

Toss berries with sugar and let stand at room temperature until ready to use, up to one hour.

Assemble dessert:

Beat heavy cream using an electric mixer until it just holds soft peaks.  Add sour cream and mix until just combined.  Put one meringue on a serving plate and spread one third of whipped cream over it.  Spoon one third of fruit over top.  Repeat with remaining meringues, cream and fruit.

Best served immediately.

35 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow very tempting pics wish I could grab a spoon full

Barbara said...

Meringues are so versatile! I use them all year round. Most often in a lemon angel pie. :)
Your pavlova is divine, Beth. There's just something about that crunch and melt-in-your-mouth of the meringue that I love.

nancy at good food matters said...

I'm glad that you posted your pavlova recipe--I've never made it with brown sugar. wonderful!

Carol said...

Delicious. I could eat that in any season! I love meringue.

Valerie Gamine said...

Beth, it's perfect!! It's never too late for summer recipes. :) I have never made paplova because I fear meringue, but if I decide to give it go, I'll know what recipe to use!

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

It's never too late to post summer recipes! This looks absolutely wonderful. I've never tried making a pavlova but I might have to change that soon! =)

Beth said...

Valerie and Amy, if I can make a meringue, I know you can. You're both so talented!

Bonnie said...

Beth, Raspberries are still showing up in the markets here....everyone needs a final celebration of a season just gone. I love meringues. I will tuck this recipe back for next year. Happy Sunday. Bonnie

Anonymous said...

That is a delicious way to send-off the summer!

chow and chatter said...

wow love pavlova looks perfect

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

We love pavlova...and I can't believe I haven't tried this recipe! I will definitely make this one when the whole family is here for dinner...yum!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Great looking dish! The weather has been warm enough that it's easy to pretend it's still summer. Anyway, I only worked with meringue for the first time a year or so ago - and it really is easy. I haven't done a Pavlova, though - you've persuaded me I should! Thanks for this.

Anonymous said...

Meringue with brown sugar sounds really delicious! This is a beautiful dessert, and I think it would be well-received any time of the year.

Jessica Lawson said...

Gorgeous! A lovely and fresh reminder of summer~ I might have to make this while the store still has fresh berries!

Anonymous said...

Wow... meringue and raspberries. It doesn't get much better than that! I have always meant to try something like this!

Food Gal said...

Ooh, a brown sugar pavlova. Does it come out even more deliciously chewy in the center with that addition? I am salivating already. ;)

Beth said...

Yes, it does Carolyn. I think it's wonderful!

Belinda said...

Never too late for a lovely light treat like this!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Meringues are indeed tricky - but they're well worth the effort!

Janet Johnson said...

Wow. I have never tried a Merigue. They look tricky, but pretty delicious!

Angie's Recipes said...

wow a 3-layer pavlova! Beth, you have outdone yourself! It looks divine!

Anonymous said...

Pavlova with raspberries is a favourite of mine also Beth. I love the idea of a three layer pavlova, as it would be so impressive with a bit of height to it. The brown sugar is an interesting addition.

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Oh wow inspire me much my friend, this looks awesome :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
P.S. Come over and enter my international giveaway to celebrate my blogiversary!

Unknown said...

Yum, brown sugar pavlova-I can imagine the flavor!
I bought 2 baskets of raspberries at the market today- I love my apples and pumpkins but not ready to give up fresh berries;-)
I'm all for sharing one last Summer recipe especially when it looks as good as your pavlova-congratulations!

Cindy said...

I had never heard of Pavlova until my daughter spent 18 months in Australia serving for our church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or the Mormons).
She fell in love with the Australian people and Pavlova. I just bought some raspberries at Costco. Looks like dessert for tomorrow!

Kristen said...

What a pretty dessert for summer. I need to introduce my family to Pavlova!

Claudia said...

It's still summer here and ripe for a pavlova - especially this lovely one.

Julie said...

No, please say summer isn't over!!! This looks delicious. Hope your daughter is doing well at school and mom is doing okay without her :)

Katerina said...

Well, summer doesn't want to leave from here Beth! Temperatures are over 30 C and this pavlova seems the perfect sweet right now!

Beth said...

Thanks for asking, Julie. She's doing great, and that means I am too!

Joanne said...

I've actually never made a pavlova before though it's been on my radar for a while! Looks gorgeous.

Nancy said...

I like holding on to summer as long as possible. While I do love all the autumn recipes it is a nice change seeing something other than pumpkin or apples. Your Pavlova looks perfect! Thanks for sharing:)

Kathy said...

This is an incredibly lovely dessert! I love everything about it…especially the beautiful raspberries and cream on top!

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, not too late at all to post a recipe with fresh raspberries - the weather is still so warm around here that it does not really feel like fall yet. The Pavlova looks like pure deliciousness on a plate - I would love to try this recipe one day!

grace said...

i have never made or even eaten pavlova--can you believe it!? this looks yummy, regardless of the season. :)

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