{Mini} Pavlova Recipe (2024)

Pavlova is an elegant and beautiful dessert that might look intimidating to make, but is actually incredibly easy! The exterior is crispy, while the inside is soft like marshmallow. Filled with fresh whipped cream and a variety of fruit, this mini Pavlova recipe is a showstopper. Perfect for summer, brunch, after dinner, for the holidays or any occasion!

We like to serve ours filled with Homemade Whipped Cream, a little homemade lemon curd or Peach Freezer Jam, and an assortment of fresh berries.

{Mini} Pavlova Recipe (1)

Just the name Pavlova sounds so fancy and out of reach for a novice home cook, right? But it’s not! You might be surprised how easy this meringue dessert is to make. And I’m going to walk you through it. Make sure to watch the video, for even more visual help.

What is pavlova?

This dessert is baked white meringue, filled with whipped cream and fresh fruit. It has a chewy-crisp texture on the outside and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture inside. It’s wonderful!

It’s named after the Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, but isn’t actually a Russian recipe at all. While touring Australia and New Zealand in the 1920’s, one of those countries (which is highly debated!) created this dessert and named it in her honor.

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Ingredients for this Pavlova Recipe

While the technique is simple and ingredients are basic, you do need to follow the exact recipe for the correct results. This definitely isn’t one of those desserts that you can play around with.

You only need 5 ingredients, and chances are you have them in your pantry already!

  • Egg whites – egg whites are the base of pavlova. They are beaten into stiff peaks and what make this dessert cloud-like.
  • Sugar – sugar is so important in this dessert (and I would argue in most desserts!) In Pavlova, the egg whites will collapse without it. Sugar stabilizes the egg whites and binds them during baking and as the dessert cools, so it has that wonderful crispy and airy texture. Yes, it’s a sweetener, but so much more than that.
  • Cornstarch – cornstarch helps achieve a fluffier and more marshmallow-y like center.
  • Lemon Juice – the acid from lemon juice helps the egg whites hold onto air and, like the sugar, helps give the meringue its volume. (My understanding is that you can also use a 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar or 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, but I haven’t tried that.)
  • Vanilla extract – this ingredient is purely for flavor, but don’t omit it! Just a little makes a big difference.

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Tips for the Perfect Pavlova Dessert

  • The eggs need to be at room temperature before you start whipping them. If your egg whites are not at room temperature, simply place them in a bowl of warm water (not hot) for about 15 minutes to remove their chill. NOTE: yolks separate from the whites easier when the eggs are cold, so be careful when cracking them.
  • Be absolutely certain you don’t get any bit of egg yolk, water, or grease into the whites.
  • Whip the egg white until stiff peaks are reached. If you can hold those beaten egg whites upside down without them dropping, you’re good to go. Don’t over-beat, though, or they’ll start to deflate once mixed with the other ingredients.
  • Beat in the sugar a little at a time, beating well between each addition. This also helps prevent the mixture from collapsing.
  • After piping your meringue, don’t forget to indent the center, to allow room for whipped cream and toppings.
  • Fully preheat your oven and bake right away, otherwise the pavlovas will begin to melt or form a layer of brown sugar at the bottom after baking.
  • For easy removal, make sure to use parchment paper on your baking sheet. Do not use butter, nonstick spray, wax paper, or foil.
  • Let pavlovas rest in the oven (turned off, door closed) until completely cooled. The sudden change of temperature (from inside the oven to the outside) shocks the pavlova. Resting in the oven will help prevent browning and cracking. Although, it’s not always perfect!

Can I Make Pavlovas Ahead of Time?

You can make the pavlova up to 3 days ahead of time and store at room temperature (in a low-humidity area) in an airtight container, then assemble just before serving. Once they are assembled the whipped cream starts to soften the meringue, so they should be eaten within 3-4 hours.

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What to serve with Pavlova?

Pavlovas can be topped so many different ways, but my favorites include Homemade Whipped Cream, Lemon Curd or Peach Freezer Jam, and an assortment of fresh berries.

You can make pavlovas as a big Pavlova cake too, but I just love to serve them as these mini pavlovas. No cutting, less mess, and look so lovely on a serving tray!

Watch the video for Pavlova

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

{Mini} Pavlova Recipe (5)

{Mini} Pavlova Dessert Recipe

4.92 from 12 Ratings

Pavlova is an easy dessert with a crisp exterior and soft marshmallow-y inside. Filled with whipped cream and fresh fruit, it's elegant and beautiful!

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Cool down 3 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 15 mini pavlovas

Ingredients

For Pavlova

  • 6 large egg whites ,room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch

For Whipped Cream

  • 1 1/2 cups (very cold) heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

For Topping

  • 4-5 cups fresh fruit , such as blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries, sliced peaches, kiwi, etc.
  • 15 small mint leaves , for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F. Line alarge baking sheetwith parchment paper.

  • Using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, beat the egg whites on high speed for about 1 minute until soft peaks form. With the mixer still on, gradually add in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat 10 minutes on high speed, or until stiff peaks form. It will be smooth and glossy.

  • Using a spatula, quickly fold in the lemon juice and vanilla extract, then fold in the corn starch and gently mix until well blended.

  • Pipe meringue into 3 to 3 1/2-inch wide nests onto the parchment paper using a 1M Star tip. Indent the center with a spoon to allow room for toppings.

  • Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, then turn the oven off and without opening the door, let meringue sit in the oven until completely cooled, about 3-4 hours. (The outsides will be dry and crisp to the tap and a very pale cream-colored, and insides will still be marshmallow soft.)

  • Transfer the pavlova with the parchment paper onto the counter for assembly.

  • To make the whipping cream: beat cold whipping cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar in a cold bowl for 2 - 2 1/2 minutes or until whipped and spreadable.

  • Once pavlova are completely cool, pipe some of the whipped cream in the indentation and top with a little fresh fruit.

  • Serve and enjoy within 3 hours.

Video

Notes

For perfect pavlovas, please refer to the recipe tips and watch the video!

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 583IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Australian

Keyword: Pavlova, Pavlova dessert, Pavlova recipe

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

{Mini} Pavlova Recipe (6)

{Mini} Pavlova Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a meringue and a 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.

How long will mini pavlovas keep? ›

Our answer. Mini versions of Nigella's Mini Pavlovas (from Domestic Goddess and on the Nigella website) are likely to have the same keeping quailties as a regular pavlova shell. If the meringues are stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place then they are lilkely to last 1-2 days.

Is it OK to make pavlova the day before? ›

Pavlovas are best eaten within 24 hours of baking and soon after they are decorated. You can make it and leave it to cool in the oven overnight, or you can store a cooled, undecorated Pavlova in an airtight container.

How to make individual pavlova's? ›

Making mini pavlova consists of beating egg whites until stiff with granulated sugar and cream of tartar. Then, the fluffy mixture is shaped into a disk with room in the center for stuffing. They're baked low and slow (at 200-degrees Fahrenheit) for almost an hour, and then they cool in the oven for another hour.

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.

Do you cook pavlova on foil or baking paper? ›

Make sure your utensils and egg whites are free of any grease. Do not use parchment paper or a greased and floured baking sheet– the meringue will often stick to them. Use aluminum foil.

How to keep pavlova from getting soggy? ›

To store pavlova and avoid it turning soft, follow these steps:
  1. Make your pavlova on a dry (not humid) day. Allow pavlova to cool in the oven with the door ajar until completely cooled.
  2. Place in an airtight container and seal tightly. ...
  3. Store in the pantry or other cool, dark place. ...
  4. Store for up to 2 days maximum.

How to crisp up a soft pavlova? ›

The pavlova should be white or slightly beige in colour, crisp to the touch and soft on the inside. If you have accidentally added too much vinegar, bake the same pavlova again at 150C for half an hour. This will crips it up but also give it a slightly darker colour.

How long will pavlova keep without cream? ›

If you store your pavlova in an airtight container or wrap it well in cling film, it should keep its taste and texture for up to 2 days. The pavlova will taste best if eaten the day after you make it. After you add fruit and whipped cream to your pavlova, you'll need to eat it within a few hours.

What is Pavlova magic? ›

White Wings Pavlova Magic Dessert Mix gives you that perfect Pavlova texture that's crusty on the outside but soft and light inside. It's very easy to make as well and won't take up too much of your time, great for serving in gatherings.

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.

How to tell when pavlova is done? ›

How Do I Know My Pavlova Is Done? A perfectly baked pavlova should be pale and look dry, but a skewer inserted in the meringue should come out with a thick sticky, marshmallow-like consistency. If you aren't sure about the pavlova's doneness, turn the oven off, open the door and leave the meringue for up to an hour.

Are pavlova and meringue the same thing? ›

Difference between pavlova and meringue

Both are made from the same meringue mixture. But pavlovas are baked just until the surface has dried out to form a thin crispy shell, and the inside is soft and marshmallow-y. Meringues, on the other hand, are crisp all the way through.

Is pavlova Russian or Australian? ›

pavlova, meringue-based dessert of Australian and New Zealand origin that is commonly topped with whipped cream and fruit and served at holidays. New Zealanders and Australians compete for ownership of pavlova, which in both countries is an iconic national delicacy.

What is New Zealand pavlova? ›

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.

Does pavlova taste like meringue? ›

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.

What are the 3 types of meringue? ›

There are several types of meringue, with the three most common being French, Swiss and Italian. Each type varies based on preparation, texture and stability. Knowing the difference between the meringues will help you understand when to use each recipe in your baking.

Why is it called pavlova? ›

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.

Why is pavlova not white? ›

The outside of a pavlova meringue may not be quite as brilliantly white as a crisp meringue because of the higher oven temperature but it should not be buff coloured or dark brown. If the meringue is taking on too much colour then the oven temperature is too high.

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