If you're looking to impress your guests with a proper showstopper or just treat yourself, Pavlova meringue cups are the perfect dessert to make. It is simple to prepare and can be customized to suit your personal taste.
The beauty of Pavlova lies in its contrast of textures, with the crisp exterior giving way to a soft and fluffy interior. The sweetness of the meringue is balanced by the tartness of the fresh fruit and the richness of the whipped cream. It is a dessert that truly delights the taste buds and satisfies the sweet tooth.
Recipe for Pavlova Meringue Cups
You can make small portions sized pavlova cups or larger cake bases from this meringue batter. Meringues should be taken out of the oven when they are still a little chewy inside. You can add a touch of vanilla extract or food colouring to the meringue mixture, or switch up the type of fruit you use for toppings. This recipe makes about 8 portion-sized meringue baskets or one large as seen in the picture.
For the meringue baskets you need:
3 egg whites from super fresh eggs
150 ml of caster sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
5 drops of lemon juice
Optional: 50 ml chopped pistachio nuts
This is how you make the meringue baskets:
Oven heat 150 degrees Celsius.
Add apartment paper to a baking tray and set aside for the piping of the meringues later on.
Add the egg whites with half the sugar to a clean bowl and beat until peaks form.
Mix the rest of the sugar with the cornstarch in a bowl. Slowly whisk the rest of the sugar and cornstarch into the egg whites and add the lemon juice.
Beat until the meringue is glossy, firm and fine. You should be able to hold the bowl over your head, without the batter falling out.
Optional, gently fold in the chopped pistachios, flavour or food colouring.
Either put the meringue batter in a piping bag and pipe 8 small baskets. Pipe a round bottom and slightly higher all around the sides to form the basket, about 6 cm wide) or take a spoon and add the meringue in big blobs, making a well for the filling in the middle.
Bake at 150 degrees in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat but let the meringues remain in the oven on the afterheat for a couple of hours, until completely cool.
For the filling you need:
200 grams of fresh raspberries, strawberries or any kind of berries you like
200 ml of full-fat whipping cream
Icing sugar for decoration
8 tablespoons of jam
2 tablespoons of water
This is how you make the filling and Palova:
Clean the berries and let them dry on some kitchen paper. Cut them into the shape you prefer.
Whipp the cream until semi-stiff peaks.
Add the jam of your choice to a bowl and mix in 2 tablespoons of water to make the consistency of the jam looser.
Take the meringue baskets and add a tablespoon of jam at the bottom. Top with Whipp cream and decorate with plenty of fresh berries and icing sugar.
Treat yourself to some Pavlova Meringue Cups
Whether you're looking for a simple sweet treat or a dessert to impress your guests, this classic dessert is a perfect choice. Make your own spin on it and try with different types of fruits, nuts and colourings, this dessert will never get old. Experience the beauty of Pavlova for yourself, and try it next time your craving something sweet.
