Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (2024)

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (1)

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My husband and I have been married 11 years this month. Time, slow down! This is a very special anniversary for us. Our first child is 5 and will be starting school this year. We didn’t go out of town to celebratebut we did go out to our favorite fancy restaurant and then shared dessert at home.

If you want to surprise your spouse and make dessert extra special, you should try this loaded berry pavlova. It’s light, airy and filled with all the best summer berries. It is crisp on the outside and marshmallowy soft inside. A sweet end to a sweet day!

Let me start out by saying the pavlova is EASY. Meringue is neither complicated or time consuming. It takes some time to bake/dry out in the oven, but your oven does all of the work.

I’ll be sharing all of my tips on getting the correct consistency and provide step-by-step photos of the process to give you confidence to re-create the recipe or make your own variation at home

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (2)

Ingredients for Pavlova Cake:

6 egg whites, room temperature (*see tip 1below)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp corn starch
1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 Tbspvanilla extract

Ingredients for Frosting:

1 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp granulatedsugar

Ingredients for Topping:

4-5 cups fresh berries(blueberries, raspberries, small strawberries, blackberries..)** see tip 2below
1-2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (3)

*Tip 1:Pavlova eggs will beat best when they are atroom temperature. If you forget this step, place un-cracked eggs in warm water for 15 minutes to bring them to room temp.

**Tip 2: Keep berries dry and chilled prior to use.

How to Make a Berry Pavlova Cake:

Preheat the Oven to 250˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. Using the whisk attachment on your stand mixer, beat6 egg whites and 1 1/2 cups sugar for 6 to 7 minutes on high speed, or until stiff peaks form. The mixture will be smooth and glossy.

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (4)

2. Add1/2 Tbsplemon juice, 1/2 Tbspvanilla extract and 2 tsp corn starch and continue mixing another 15 seconds or until well blended. Transfer immediately to a large sheet of parchment paper and use spatula to form a 10″ round ring, making adeepindent in the center to accommodate the cream and berries later. The center will rise so make a substantial well in the center.

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (5)

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (6)

3. Bake at 250˚F for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then turn off the oven and with door closed, let it sit inside the oven another 1 hour until cooled. You can keep it in the oven longer to cool since the oven will be off and you might have dinner plans ;).Remove pavlova from oven and let cool completely to room temp then cover and let stand in a dry, room temp room up to 2 days or assemble and serveright away.

How to Make the Topping:

1. Beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream with 2 Tbsp sugar on high speed 2-3 minutes or until frosting is stiff and spreadable but don’t over beat or it will become buttery. (note: you can makecreamahead of time, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use).

2. Just before serving, spread whipped cream over the pavlova and top with plenty of your favorite berries. Refrigerate leftovers. It’s best served right away.

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (7)

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (8)

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe

4.91 from 93 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (10)

This pavlova is light, airy and filled with all the best summer berries. A sweet end to a sweet day! Meringue is neither complicated or time consuming. It takes some time to bake/dry out in the oven, but your oven does all of the work. It is crisp on the outside and marshmallowy soft inside.

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Ingredients

  • 6 egg whites, room temperature (*see tip 1)
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp corn starch
  • 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 4-5 cups fresh berries, blueberries, raspberries, small strawberries, blackberries..** see tip 2
  • 1-2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

Instructions

How to Make a Berry Pavlova:

  • Preheat the Oven to 250˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Using the whisk attachment on your stand mixer, beat 6 egg whites and 1 1/2 cups sugar for 6 to 7 minutes on high speed, or until stiff peaks form. The mixture will be smooth and glossy.

  • Add 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract and 2 tsp corn starch and continue mixing another 15 seconds or until well blended.

  • Transfer immediately to a large sheet of parchment paper and use spatula to form a 10" round ring, making a deep indent in the center to accommodate the cream and berries later. The center will rise so make a substantial well in the center.

  • Bake at 250˚F for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then turn off the oven and with door closed, let it sit inside the oven another 1 hour until cooled. You can keep it in the oven longer to cool since the oven will be off and you might have dinner plans ;). Remove pavlova from oven and let cool completely to room temp then cover and and let stand in a dry, room temp room up to 2 days or assemble and serve right away.

How to Make the Topping:

  • Beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream with 2 Tbsp sugar on high speed 2-3 minutes or until frosting is stiff and spreadable but don't over beat or it will become buttery. (note: you can make cream ahead of time, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use).

  • Just before serving, spread whipped cream over the pavlova and top with plenty of your favorite berries. Refrigerate leftovers. It's best served right away.

Notes

*Tip 1: Pavolva eggs will beat best when they are at room temperature. If you forget this step, place un-cracked eggs in warm water for 15 minutes to bring them to room temp.
**Tip 2: Keep berries dry and chilled prior to use.

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian

Keyword: Berry Pavlova Cake

Skill Level: Easy/Medium

Cost to Make: $$

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (11)

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (12)

I hope you love this easy and wonderful Berry Pavlova Recipe!! 🙂

Natasha Kravchuk

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (13)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Berry Pavlova Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is difference between meringue and pavlova? ›

What's the Difference Between Pavlova and Meringue? Pavlovas and meringues are both made of whipped egg white, but a Pavlova has a delicate crispy exterior with pillowy soft marshmallow inside, while meringue is dry and crisp all the way through.

What does pavlova cake taste like? ›

Named after the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, a pavlova is essentially a meringue cake made of whipped egg whites and sugar. It's perfectly light and crisp on the outside, ever so slightly chewy, and the middle tastes like a light, airy marshmallow.

Can I make a pavlova the day before? ›

Pavlovas are best eaten within 24 hours of baking and soon after they are decorated. You can make it and leave it to cool in the oven overnight, or you can store a cooled, undecorated Pavlova in an airtight container.

Why is it called pavlova cake? ›

The pavlova is named after the famed Russian ballerina Anna Matveyevna Pavlova (1881-1931), who was famous for her enchanting loveliness.

Is baking paper or foil better for cooking pavlova? ›

Extra advice: As I stated already, do not even attempt to make on humid days– it won't work. Make sure your utensils and egg whites are free of any grease. Do not use parchment paper or a greased and floured baking sheet– the meringue will often stick to them. Use aluminum foil.

Why is pavlova healthy? ›

In this the good cop-bad cop pairing, sugar is definitely the bad cop, while egg whites are considered downright health food by many folks. (One egg white has 5 grams of protein, at only 25 calories and no fat.) The sugar is what gives the pavlovas their luscious interior.

What does vinegar do in a pavlova? ›

Vinegar added to the meringue will lower the pH of the egg whites. This acidic environment will also help to stabilize the egg white foam, preventing the meringue from collapsing too much. The acidity helps to unravel the protein and prevent the proteins from binding together too tightly.

Why did my pavlova crack while baking? ›

If you overbeat the mixture after adding the sugar, your meringue may crack and collapse during baking. To avoid this, only beat the mixture until the sugar dissolves – test this by rubbing a little of the mixture between your fingertips.

How to tell when pavlova is done? ›

How Do I Know My Pavlova Is Done? A perfectly baked pavlova should be pale and look dry, but a skewer inserted in the meringue should come out with a thick sticky, marshmallow-like consistency. If you aren't sure about the pavlova's doneness, turn the oven off, open the door and leave the meringue for up to an hour.

What is the slang word for pavlova? ›

Pav: the shortened term for pavlova, which is a popular dessert across Australia and New Zealand. Pokies: a slang word for gambling slot machines, which you'll find in casinos and pubs across Australia. Pressie: short for present.

Why do Australians love pavlova? ›

The dessert is believed to have been created in honour of the dancer either during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s. The nationality of its creator has been a source of argument between the two nations for many years.

What is the national dessert of Australia? ›

What is the national dessert of Australia? Pavlova, is the national dessert of Australia.

What are the 3 types of meringue? ›

There are several types of meringue, with the three most common being French, Swiss and Italian. Each type varies based on preparation, texture and stability. Knowing the difference between the meringues will help you understand when to use each recipe in your baking.

What does pavlova mean? ›

noun. pav·​lo·​va ˈpav-lə-və pav-ˈlō- often capitalized. : a dessert of Australian and New Zealand origin consisting of a meringue shell topped with whipped cream and usually fruit.

What type of meringue is used for pavlova? ›

French meringue is the least stable of the three meringue types but the lightest and the most airy. It is often used for making individual meringues, pavlovas, and torte layers with the addition of ground nuts. It is also the type of meringue used to make oeufs a la neige (snow eggs) and sweet soufflés.

Why are egg whites used in a pavlova meringue? ›

The first reason to whip the whites is to incorporate air into the protein mesh of egg whites, which then is fortified with sugar. You are able to create a foam because when the proteins unfurl during whipping, half of the protein chain is 'water loving' (hydrophilic) and half are 'water hating' (hydrophobic).

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