Pavlova With Whipped Cream And Fresh Fruit

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
• fresh fruit, sliced

Recipe

• 1 1. grease and flour a parchment-lined baking sheet, or a springform pan. preheat the oven to 275 degrees. beat the egg whites with the salt and cream of tarter in the large bowl of a standing mixer until soft peaks form. gradually add the sugar, and continue beating till it will hold stiff peaks. beat in the cornstarch, vinegar and vanilla.
• 2 2. using a rubber spatula, mound the meringue in a circle on the prepared baking sheet, or into the springform pan. either way, make the sides slightly higher than the center, to create a bit of a well for the whipped cream. bake in center of oven for 1 hr 15 minutes, then allow to cool inside the oven with the door slightly ajar. the outside will be dry, and will be a pale, cream colour. the surface may crack, but the inside will be moist and marshmallowy.
• 3 3. just before serving, whip the cream (adding 1 tsp vanilla and 2 tbsp sugar, if desired). pile the cream onto the meringue and top with the fresh, sliced fruit. serve immediately.