No one knows who first created the Pavlova. But the name and the recipes first began appearing soon after Russian prima ballerina, Anna Pavlova (she was born on 12 February 1881, in St. Petersburg, Russia, my home town), toured both Australia and New Zealand in 1926, and Australia again in 1929. Anna Pavlova was considered the greatest ballerina of her time, and her visit to New Zealand has been described as “the chief event of 1926.” It was said “She does not dance; she soars as though on wings.” From this you get the sense that this is a light, airy dessert.
There is a controversy with both Australia and New Zealand. While it has been suggested this dessert was created in New Zealand, it has also become recognized as a popular Australian dish. Both countries claim to have invented this dessert and claim it as their national dish.
We don’t know who is right, but we do know that this is a miracle of a dessert, and not so difficult that we should shy away from it. The meringue shell is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It is lighter than air, as the great ballerina was supposed to be.
Please read the recipe, and try this magical dessert yourself.
Pavlova with Lemon Cream, and Berries
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...Ingredients
- Ingredients for the meringue:
- 1 cup superfine granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 large eggs at room temperature 30 minutes
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
- Ingredients for the filling:
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups mixed berries
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300ºF and position a rack in the center.
To prepare the lemon cream:
stir sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Add the lemon juice and butter, bringing the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Continue to whisk at a simmer, about 1 minute. Whisk about 1/4 of the mixture into the beaten egg yolks, then transfer the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Over low heat, continue to cook, but make sure not to boil, whisking constantly until the lemon curd is thick, about 2 minutes. Scrape into a shallow bowl, stir in the lemon zest, and place a piece of parchment over the surface. Refrigerate for about 1-1/2 hours.
To prepare the meringue:
line a baking sheet with parchment and trace a circle about 7" in diameter in the center. Turn the parchment over.
Whisk superfine sugar and cornstarch together in a small bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat whites with a pinch of salt at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the water and beat until whites hold soft peaks once again.
On medium-high, beat in sugar mixture 1 Tbsp at a time. After all, sugar has been added, beat 1 minute longer. Add vinegar, then beat at high speed until glossy and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes (longer if using a hand-held mixer). The meringue will be extremely thick.
Spread meringue carefully to cover the circle on the parchment, creating a cavity in the center (for the filling). Bake until meringue is pale golden and has a crust, about 45 minutes. Avoid opening the oven door! Turn oven off and prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon. Cool meringue in oven 1 hour. The exterior will be dry and possibly cracked, the inside more like the consistency of marshmallow.
To assemble the pavlova:
beat the heavy cream just as it holds stiff peaks, then 1/4 cup at a time, whisk the cream into the lemon curd. Check consistency each time before adding more cream. It should be able to mound.
Spoon lemon cream into cooled meringue and mound fruit in the center. Serve with extra whipped cream if desired.
Once you have the desert ready, all you need is a nice cup of tea. Well, the jar of homemade jam would be a nice addition. So…
Dear Friends, I have a GIVEAWAY today and it is open to everybody around the world.
What’s in the parcel:
Box of Tea Forte with porcelain teacup ensemble, and Pear and Vanilla Jam I’ve made myself, and it’s the best jam ever.
How to enter:
- Leave a comment at the end of this post
- To double your chances, “like”
Cooking Melangery on Facebook - Please one comment per person, anonymous will not be accepted
- The gift will be shipped to a physical street address, sorry no P.O. Boxes
- The giveaway will close Sunday, November 20, 2011, at midnight Eastern time
101 Comments
kiri
November 16, 2011 at 2:46 amI love a good pavlolva! Your meringue looks perfect 🙂
I'd love to enter the giveaway!
I also liked you on facebook. The prize pack looks wonderful!
Rebecca from Chow and Chatter
November 16, 2011 at 3:39 amstunning pavlova and fun history
slb3334
November 16, 2011 at 3:58 amI would like this.
Anonymous
November 16, 2011 at 4:59 amWhat a beautiful dish and giveaway. Thank you for the history on this amazing dessert!
Anonymous
November 16, 2011 at 5:00 amI've "Liked" your facebook page! Thanks again and have a GREAT day!
Anonymous
November 16, 2011 at 6:13 amYour food styling is simply awe inspiring. The Pavlova put be back in a holiday mood considering, I just came back from a holiday. I would love to have a taste of you jam as it looks scrumptious.
Anonymous
November 16, 2011 at 6:14 amand yes, I have liked your facebook page. Who wouldn't!
Rebecca Graham
November 16, 2011 at 8:26 amI am going to try this recipe.
rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
firefoodie
November 16, 2011 at 11:00 amI'm an Aussie, so I say it's Australian. I love making this and your photos are just lush.
Anonymous
November 16, 2011 at 11:48 amWould love to win this – thanks so much for the giveaway!! grammypenny@frontier.com
Anonymous
November 16, 2011 at 11:49 amLike Cooking Melangery on Facebook! Penny Hayes Snyder – grammypenny@frontier.com
sue14625
November 16, 2011 at 12:39 pmI have not tried Pavlova it looks so good a nice change from pies /cakes/ cookies
ty for having this giveaway
sue14625@gmail.com
Serenap95
November 16, 2011 at 1:16 pmThanks for hosting this giveaway.
serenap95(at)hotmail(dot)com
Chisum Crew
November 16, 2011 at 1:25 pmI've never had Pavlova before but am so making it for Thanksgiving this year now. trinitygsd at yahoo dto com
✪♜I.B.G.♜✪
November 16, 2011 at 2:28 pmStrawberries, whipped cream and berries. This is a very sexy trio.
rosannepm
November 16, 2011 at 3:19 pmThat is one of the most beautiful displays of a dessert I've ever seen. Love the dish, the sparkle and the berries and meringue
rosans4@comcast.net
rosannepm
November 16, 2011 at 3:21 pmLike Cooking Melangery on Facebook Rosanne M
rosans4@comcast.net
blue65829
November 16, 2011 at 3:39 pmWhat a fantastic giveaway and what a beautiful dessert, although I think making a pavlova is way outside my kitchen skill set 🙂
blue65829 at aol dot com
Alpana
November 16, 2011 at 4:10 pmI have heard a lot about pavlova but never dared to bake it. You'r looks perfect & the presenation is out of this world as always. Nice givaway/ would like to taste your jam.
lily
November 16, 2011 at 4:44 pmBeautiful post. The photos are lovely and the dish divine. Again a winner. Thanks so much.
kentSAVS
November 16, 2011 at 8:40 pmI've always been intimidated by pavlovas but you make it sounds very do-able
Julia
November 16, 2011 at 9:52 pmBeautiful post and pictures as usual. I do have a small request – if you can provide a printable version of the recipe without the pictures, that would definitely help me. thanks!
Liz
November 16, 2011 at 10:00 pmThat jam looks tasty!
Yelena
November 16, 2011 at 10:38 pmJulia, at the bottom of each post you should see a little Printer icon (closer to right side). If you click it, a new window should pop up, with printable version of the recipe. And you could check "No Images" checkbox, and print it out.
Let me know if it works or not.
jules
November 16, 2011 at 11:38 pmthat pavlova looks amazing. i have never tried to make one but i really want to!
jules
November 16, 2011 at 11:38 pmliked you on fb Jules McNubbin
Deborah
November 17, 2011 at 2:31 amI'm thinking…a Pavlova would make a stunning dessert for New Year's Eve!
Deborah
November 17, 2011 at 2:34 amI liked Cooking Melangery on Facebook (Deborah Rosen).
Claudia
November 17, 2011 at 2:37 amI do love a pavlova – it is as elegant as the ballet dancer! This brings back summer to me – in the sweetest way.
Boi Polloi
November 17, 2011 at 4:03 amAlways struggled with meringues, personally, but this looks positively delicious. Good luck everyone who enters 🙂
julis55
November 17, 2011 at 4:16 amI love meringues!
Danielle
November 17, 2011 at 5:50 amMy good friend made pavlova for me once and that was the first and only time I've ever tried it. It was delicious–I just have yet to be so bold as to attempt to make it myself! Looks like a good recipe 🙂 Thanks!
Sara&Katey
November 17, 2011 at 7:15 amThat looks beautiful! And delicious, of course :]
curliecue
November 17, 2011 at 7:39 amI've heard about Pavlovas now and then but never tried it. Maybe I should finally hop to it and try this recipe, the pictures are making it hard not to.
I've liked you on FB as well!
Aroma y Cocina
November 17, 2011 at 12:22 pmI was delighted when I saw your nice blog and really wonderful photographs.
I am impatient to taste some of them.
I cannot wait to read more of your recipes.
Thanks.
Regards.
Begoña
Anonymous
November 17, 2011 at 1:27 pmThat pavlova looks absolutely divine! I can't wait to try making it this holiday season!
Anonymous
November 17, 2011 at 2:02 pmSweet crisp pavlova with refreshing lemon cream and some fresh berries. I can't think of a better combination !
ne-knopka
November 17, 2011 at 2:14 pmBeautiful giveaway!
fan on fb(anna ku)
ksurty@aol.com
Jenn S.
November 17, 2011 at 4:02 pmReading your post has made me sooo hungry. Looks wonderfully delicious!
jas8929 at gmail dot com
Jenn S.
November 17, 2011 at 4:03 pm"Like" Cooking Melangery on facebook.
jas8929(at)gmail(dot)com
Space Monkey 1138
November 17, 2011 at 6:59 pmHomemade jam sounds SOO good!
gibberish
November 17, 2011 at 11:00 pmThanks for the giveaway.
The jam flavor is intriguing.
jlgibbings(at)hotmail(dot)com
The Perfect Bridesmaid
November 17, 2011 at 11:31 pmthe tea looks amazing.
flyergal82 AT (yahoo) /dot/ $com%
✪♜I.B.G.♜✪
November 18, 2011 at 10:39 amHi Yelena. You should come to Antalya and watch the magnificent piano festival. Don't forget that music is the food of the soul. International Antalya Piano Festival is one of the best in Europe. This year, Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, Russian violinist Vladimir Spivakov, Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen, Hungarian trompetist Gabor Boldoczki, Labeque Sisters, Russian violinist Aleksey Igudesman and South Korean pianist Hyung-ki Joo, Spanish pianist Dorantes, Polish pianist Szymon Chojnacki and Fazıl Say and other Turkish pianists will perform in 12th International Antalya Piano Festival.
Jeska706
November 18, 2011 at 2:38 pmI know this sounds funny but my hubby would totally love this as a Christmas present. He's such and Englishman at heart!
Elo-Cupcake
November 18, 2011 at 3:43 pmI'm in 🙂
I've like the Facebook page 🙂
Jacqueline
November 18, 2011 at 3:46 pmpavlova is my favorite dessert!! my dad always adds kiwis to the top (with the straberries and blueberries)! jmmccarr@gmail.com
Jessie
November 18, 2011 at 3:48 pmBeautiful photos and berries! I love Pavlova! Its always so fresh!
Grubarazzi
November 18, 2011 at 3:58 pmBeautiful, as always. I'm a huge fan of pavlova, such a lovely airy dessert.
Kristin
November 18, 2011 at 4:33 pmCan't wait to try it 🙂 And the giveaway looks delightful!
jhitomi
November 18, 2011 at 5:04 pmwow the jam sounds spectacular. You have a great blog
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
Marija
November 18, 2011 at 6:53 pmBeautiful AND delicious!! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
marija.majerle at gmail dot com
RZBACK70
November 18, 2011 at 7:10 pmThanks for the background on pavlova. Yummy!
Anissa
November 18, 2011 at 8:02 pmI would give this to my mother-in-law. She loves tea!
anissacoupons(at)hotmail(dot)com
Crystal
November 18, 2011 at 8:09 pmThe jam sounds awesome!
Leslie R.
November 18, 2011 at 8:24 pmI'm glad I found your blog today. The story & pictures of the Pavlova are enchanting! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Shooting Stars Mag
November 18, 2011 at 8:47 pmwhat a fun giveaway! Adorablet gift set.
lauren51990 at aol dot com
sandyandcosmo
November 18, 2011 at 10:09 pmI've never had much luck with meringues but this dish looks delicious! Thanks for the tea giveaway!
Popper
November 18, 2011 at 10:14 pmThe jam looks good, but what looks amazing is the pavlova! This definitely made me hungry! Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
Meryl
November 18, 2011 at 10:17 pmYour jam sounds great!
Domestic Diva
November 19, 2011 at 12:07 amLovely! Thanks for the chance.
Black Cat
November 19, 2011 at 1:07 amLooks like a delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing.
punkstart@gmail.com
Yona Williams
November 19, 2011 at 1:25 amLove the photos – they are so bright and tasty-looking! Love berry desserts. Email: yona(at)pricelesswriters.com
jsc123
November 19, 2011 at 3:24 amThe pavlova looks truly delicious.
And I love the jam looks almost too pretty to eat.
Thank you so much for the recipe and giveaway.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
jsc123
November 19, 2011 at 3:25 amI am a fan via Facebook as Jill Myrick.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
BBB Admin
November 19, 2011 at 5:23 amThis looks AMAZING!! Wish I could get my meringues to look like yours! I am not on Facebook but I did tweet a link to your blog and recipe…can I have a second entry too? Pretty please??
Valerie Taylor Mabrey
November 19, 2011 at 11:33 amwow such a nice giveaway thanks for the chance to win
vmkids3 at msn dot com
intensev5
November 19, 2011 at 5:34 pmThe pear and vanilla jam sounds tasty — thanks for the chance to win
Robin T
November 19, 2011 at 7:56 pmI have never tried Pavlova but it looks delicious
rtrexel@gmail.com
Robin T
November 19, 2011 at 7:57 pmI like Cooking Melangery on FB – Robin Trexel
rtrexel@gmail.com
kihten
November 19, 2011 at 8:38 pmoh this looks so lovely! thanks for the chance to win! kihten at gmail
Kelly Massman
November 19, 2011 at 10:03 pmwhat a gorgeous looking dessert-looks yummy, too!
i'm liking on fb
thanks for a chance to win!
And, have a GREAT day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
channallocks
November 19, 2011 at 10:06 pmgreat contest
Holly
November 19, 2011 at 10:12 pmI would love to win this! On a side note–I have never had Pavlova before. I will have to try and make it. Lol
New follower! 🙂
fullmoonbites [at] gmail [dot] com
L.
November 19, 2011 at 10:17 pmWhoa, that looks amazing! Where did you find the model for that table set up? It's beautiful!
I liked you on FB as well. 🙂
Email: UnicornSuperhero@gmail.com
Liz
November 19, 2011 at 11:52 pmGreat giveaway! Thanks for offering it, hope I win the jam sounds sooo good!
lnordquist(at)live(dot)com
Kelly
November 20, 2011 at 1:51 amThat looks delish!
I like you on FB too 🙂
maiiven 2000 at gmail dot com
jandsfox_143
November 20, 2011 at 3:02 amI would love to try this.
jandsfox_143@msn.com
Anonymous
November 20, 2011 at 6:17 amWhat an absolutely beautiful dessert! It looks amazing.
Mercedes
mercedesyardley@gmail.com
Anonymous
November 20, 2011 at 6:18 amI also liked you on FB! 😀
Mercedes
mercedesyardley@gmail.com
spirit_kim
November 20, 2011 at 6:37 amYour Pavlova looks great! Pear and vanilla sounds good, I look forward to trying if I win. Thanks for the chance.
gabe411 at hotmail dot com
carolpie
November 20, 2011 at 3:08 pmYour pictures are gorgeous and I am sure your jam is superb!
spencer1953 at gmail dot com.
carolpie
November 20, 2011 at 3:09 pmCrap, I should have put this in the other comment?
"like" Cooking Melangery on Facebook
carol yerby lewis
spencer1953 at gmail dot com.
Naomi
November 20, 2011 at 7:19 pmOoooh! That looks so yummy! I would love to win!
pixiedustedhomeschool at yahoo dot com
Samorjj
November 20, 2011 at 10:13 pmBeautiful looking dessert. Would love to win.
samorjj(at)hotmail.com
Samorjj
November 20, 2011 at 10:29 pmI liked your Facebook page for a second entry. (Jennifer W.)
Katarzyna
November 20, 2011 at 10:40 pmGreat giveaway! I'd love to win 🙂
gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl
ikkinlala
November 20, 2011 at 10:56 pmSuch a gorgeous dessert – I'll have to try making one someday!
Ms. Lollipop
November 21, 2011 at 1:55 amSo cute! And the jam sounds fantastic!
409cope
November 21, 2011 at 2:07 amThis tea would be so nice with the jams served on tea biscuits.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
409cope
November 21, 2011 at 2:08 amI like Cooking Melangery on facebook.Shari D cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
Atreau
November 21, 2011 at 4:22 amWhat a gorgeous Pavlova!
Donna
November 21, 2011 at 4:49 amThe Pavlova with Lemon Cream, and Berries looks delish!
donna444444@yahoo.com
Donna
November 21, 2011 at 4:50 amI "like" Cooking Melangery on Facebook (Donna Kozar)
donna444444@yahoo.com
Yelena
November 21, 2011 at 5:14 amWinner of the Cooking Melangery Giveaway is commentary number 11 by Penny Hayes Snyder. Congratulations!
Penny, please send your address to cooking@melangery.com
Random Number screen-shot is on Cooking Melangery Facebook Page.
Liza
November 21, 2011 at 3:52 pmWhat a beautiful Pavlova! I've never tried making it, but your instructions make it sound easy, thanks.
Thanks for the chance to win!
–Liza
ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com
Margarida V
November 21, 2011 at 6:00 pmI just simply adore tea
Magic of Spice
November 21, 2011 at 11:47 pmWhat a fun post and a gorgeous pavlova…beautiful for any time of the year 🙂
Anonymous
November 22, 2011 at 7:23 amWhat an amazing giveaway! I LOVE that you have the recipe for the meringue dessert posted right on your blog!
I LOVE <3 tea, so any chance I get for a tea giveaway makes me happy.
Thanks so much,
Lisa
lcg842 at comcast dot net
Anonymous
November 27, 2011 at 10:31 amVery beautiful photos. Extremely evocative, they make you wanna go sit at that table with a special someone. The subject, your Pavlova, is offering a nice subject: it looks perfect.
Anonymous
May 26, 2012 at 1:07 amI was searching on the internet tonight & found a post that said I had won this…I'm so sorry that I had missed your e-mail 🙁