HobNob’s Summer Fruit Pavlova
Continue reading HobNob’s Summer Fruit Pavlova
A Taste of Summer
Light, airy, and effortlessly elegant, this Summer Fruit Pavlova is the perfect way to celebrate the season’s sweetest flavours.
Crisp on the outside with a soft marshmallow centre, it’s topped with fresh berries and vibrant garnishes that capture the essence of summer in every bite. Whether you’re entertaining or indulging on a sunny afternoon, this dessert brings a refreshing finish to any warm-weather meal.
Recipe compliments of Pastry Chef Katrina Waters from HobNob Restaurant at The Charles Hotel.
Ingredients
Serves 4 people or yields 1 large pavlova
100 g Egg whites
200 g Sugar
1 tsp Lemon juice
¼ tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla
2 tbsp Cornstarch
Toppings & garnishes of your choice
Method
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
- In a medium sized bowl, or bowl of your stand mixer, combine the egg whites, sugar, lemon juice, & salt.
- Place the bowl over a double boiler & heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Add vanilla and transfer the bowl to your stand mixer, or use a hand mixer, and whip on high until medium peaks have formed.
- Add cornstarch and continue whipping until stiff peaks are reached.
- On a parchment lined sheet, spread or pipe meringue into 4 individual rounds or one large round.
- Bake at 180°F for 2 hours. Let cool completely & top the pavlova with your favorite flavours. Pictured here is a vanilla bean pastry cream with macerated strawberries, & fresh mint.
Tips
- Clean all utensils and bowls very carefully, any remnants of fat can ruin your meringue. Wipe them down with vinegar or lemon juice as an extra precaution.
- To check if your sugar has dissolved, you can use a candy thermometer to see it has reached 160°F. Alternatively, rub a small amount of the mixture between your thumb and finger, if it feels gritty then it is not ready.
- If not using right away, be sure to keep in a sealed container away from humid environments.
- Lemon curd, whipped cream, chocolate custard, jams, or banana pudding would all make wonderful pavlova fillings.
- Top with plenty of seasonal fruit, nuts, or fresh herbs and edible flowers.