THREE-LAYER BERRY AND BROWN SUGAR PAVLOVA

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Three-Layer Berry and Brown Sugar Pavlova image

By its very nature, a Pavlova is a little wild-as proved by these three tiers of airy meringue, which crack and crumble to reveal marshmallowy interiors while the berries' juices puddle all over drifts of whipped cream. And that playful mix of textures and flavors sure tastes delicious. Meringues aren't usually made with moist brown sugar, but here it adds a deeper kind of sweetness. Baking them in cake pans, another unusual technique, helps these meringues crisp up.

Provided by Maggie Ruggiero

Categories     Milk/Cream     Mixer     Berry     Egg     Brunch     Dessert     Bake     Summer     Sour Cream     Gourmet     Wedding     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

For meringue:
Confectioners sugar for dusting
1 cup superfine granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
3/4 cup egg whites (from 5 to 6 large eggs) at room temperature 30 minutes
For berries:
1 1/2 pounds strawberries, trimmed and quartered
1 pound blackberries
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For cream:
1 cup chilled heavy cream
1/3 cup chilled sour cream

Steps:

  • Make meringue:
  • Preheat oven to 275°F with rack in middle. Lightly butter 3 (8-inch) round cake pans, then dust sides of pans with confectioners sugar, knocking out excess. Line bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper.
  • Pulse superfine sugar, brown sugar, and cornstarch in a food processor until well combined.
  • Stir together vanilla and vinegar in a small bowl.
  • Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks. Increase speed to medium-high and add sugar mixture 1 tablespoon at a time. After all sugar has been added, beat 1 minute more. Add vinegar mixture, then beat at high speed until meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 5 minutes. Spoon meringue into pans (about 2 1/2 cups per pan) and smooth tops.
  • Bake until meringues have a crisp crust and feel dry to the touch, about 1 hour (insides will still be marshmallow-like).
  • Turn oven off and prop door open slightly with a wooden spoon. Cool meringues in oven 1 hour. (Meringues may sink slightly and crack while cooling.)
  • Run knife along sides of cake pans and carefully turn meringues out of pans. Carefully peel off parchment (meringues will be fragile and the crust may crack further). Carefully turn right side up.
  • Macerate fruit while meringues cool:
  • Toss berries with sugar and let stand at room temperature until ready to use (up to 1 hour).
  • Assemble dessert:
  • Beat heavy cream with sour cream using an electric mixer until it just holds soft peaks. Put 1 meringue on a serving plate and spread one third of whipped cream over it. Spoon one third of fruit (with juice) over top. Repeat with remaining meringues, cream, and fruit.

Xavier Simon
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I love that this pavlova can be made ahead of time. It's perfect for busy people who want to enjoy a delicious dessert without all the last-minute hassle.


Hunn Bunn
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This pavlova was surprisingly easy to make. I thought it would be more difficult, but it was actually quite straightforward.


Junior Tuivanua
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I made this pavlova for my birthday party and it was a huge hit! It was the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.


Tanha Tahani
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This pavlova was not only delicious, but it was also beautiful. I loved the way the berries and brown sugar filling peeked out from between the layers of meringue.


Mahesh Lalwani
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I loved the contrast of textures in this pavlova. The meringue was crispy, the berries were soft, and the filling was creamy. It was a delightful experience.


Sheku bah wisest Kabba
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The brown sugar filling was the perfect amount of sweetness. It wasn't too overpowering, but it definitely satisfied my sweet tooth.


Ofentse Malothane
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The berries in this pavlova were so fresh and flavorful. They really made the dish.


Matthew Panchenko
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This pavlova was the star of my dinner party! Everyone raved about how delicious it was. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.


Kiya Baba
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As a seasoned pavlova baker, I can confidently say that this recipe is a winner. The meringue was perfectly crisp on the outside and marshmallow-y on the inside, and the filling was a perfect balance of tart and sweet. Highly recommend!


Nataka Bro
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I'm new to baking, but this recipe was easy to follow and turned out beautifully. The pavlova was light and airy, and the berries and brown sugar filling added a delicious touch. I'll definitely be making this again!


Fahad Bhatti
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This pavlova was an absolute delight! The combination of sweet berries, crunchy meringue, and creamy brown sugar filling was divine. It was a perfect dessert for a special occasion.