It’s Spring! It’s Spring! Finally! When I think of Spring desserts I think of fruit and light meringues – I’m done with Peeps until next year of course… Meringue is something loved by children and adults and yes, it’s very sweet so at least you won’t end up eating the entire thing. Pavlova is an easy dessert you can easily squeeze into cooking with kids, they can be quite the little helpers.
You’ll Need
- 4 large egg whites at room temperature
- 1 cup of Castor sugar
- 1 tsp of white vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp of cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cups of whipping cream
- Fresh fruit and berries especially strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and kiwis
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 275F (140C) and place the rack in middle of the oven.
- Line a baking tray with foil and draw a 7 inch circle on the foil with the blunt edge of a knife.
- In a medium-sized metal bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks.
- Gently sprinkle the castor sugar into the egg white mixture one teaspoon at a time.
- When your egg whites are glossy stiff peaks sprinkle cornstarch and vinegar on the meringue and fold in gently, then add vanilla and gently fold the mixture again.
- Carefully spread the meringue in the circle on the foil to make a circular base.
- Bake the meringue for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Turn the oven off and leave the door slightly ajar to let the meringue cool completely.
- When you are ready to serve the Pavlova whip the cream and vanilla extract until it forms peaks.
- Gently spread the cream to the top of the meringue and let your kids decorate the cake with berries of their choice.
- Optional: place a few springs of mint amidst the fruit.
