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.

Why is it called pavlova cake? ›

How did the Pavlova begin? The pavlova is named after the famed Russian ballerina Anna Matveyevna Pavlova (1881-1931), who was famous for her enchanting loveliness. It was said of her that when she danced she soared through the air as though she had wings.

Do you have to put vinegar in pavlova? ›

The acid will actually help stabilise your whipped whites too. That's why we add cream of tartar to our pavlova recipes. If you use a little more vinegar in the meringue, you'll encourage a soft centre and a crisp shell.

What is special about pavlova? ›

A texture lover's dream come true, pavlova is made from egg whites that are slowly baked in a relatively cool oven. The egg whites take on a chewy-crisp texture on top, a soft marshmallow texture inside, and a crunchy crisp texture around the edges. That's three completely different textures in one single bite.

What does vinegar do in 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.

What makes a pavlova chewy? ›

Sugar makes the pavlova mixture strong and stable, and is responsible for that super hard shiny crust. I found that as you reduce the sugar or increase the brown sugar (it has more moisture), the final result is a chewier, with a more fragile, shattery crust.

Is it OK to make pavlova the day before? ›

Pavlovas are best made the day before eating, so if it's a wet or humid Christmas Eve, have a back-up dessert. You'll need bowls. Many bowls. And they need to be very dry, and very clean.

How do you know when a pavlova is done? ›

Bake the meringue: Bake for 60 to 70 minutes for 1 large pavlova, or 50 to 60 minutes for mini-pavlovas. The pavlovas are done when the outsides are dry to the touch. The interior of a properly cooked pavlova should be marshmallowy. It's fine if cracks form in the crust.

Does pavlova need to be refrigerated? ›

While you should avoid keeping your pavlova in your refrigerator, storing it somewhere with a relatively cool air temperature will help preserve its crispy texture.

What country is pavlova cake from? ›

pavlova, meringue-based dessert of Australian and New Zealand origin that is commonly topped with whipped cream and fruit and served at holidays.

Why do Australians eat pavlova? ›

As the New Zealand story goes, the chef of a Wellington hotel at the time created the billowy dessert in her honor, claiming inspiration from her tutu. Australians, on the other hand, believe the pavlova was invented at a hotel in Perth, and named after the ballerina when one diner declared it to be “light as Pavlova.”

Is Pavlova a Russian dessert? ›

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert. Originating in either Australia or New Zealand in the early 20th century, it was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.

What is a pavlova slang? ›

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.

What are the 3 types of meringue? ›

There are three basic types of meringue: French, Swiss, and Italian. While they all use egg whites as the primary ingredient, each style has its unique preparation method that affects its texture and taste.

What is the difference between the 3 types of meringue? ›

But not all meringues are the same. There are in fact three major types: French, Swiss, and Italian. The distinction depends on how the key ingredients — egg whites and sugar — are combined and whether any heat is involved in the process.

Is Pavlova a type of meringue? ›

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert. Originating in either Australia or New Zealand in the early 20th century, it was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Taking the form of a cake-like circular block of baked meringue, pavlova has a crisp crust and soft, light inside.

Is pavlova French or Italian meringue? ›

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.

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