Berry Pavlova

This elegant cake is made with layers of merengue, whipped cream, and fresh fruit and is named after a famous Russian ballerina.

Serves: 8Hands-on: 20 minutesTotal: 3 hours 20 minutesDifficulty: Easy

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Serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 tsp. vinegar
  • 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
  • 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 quarts whole strawberries, hulled
  • 2 pints whole raspberries
  • 1 pint red currants, in small bunches

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 200°F. Arrange the oven racks to the upper and lower thirds of the oven.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a permanent marker or dark pencil, draw a circle on each sheet of parchment paper, using a 10-inch cake pan as a guide. Flip the parchment over so that the marked circle is facing the baking sheet. You should be able to see the circle through the parchment.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites. As they stiffen, slowly add the vinegar and granulated sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  • Tip 1⁄2 of the meringue mixture onto the parchment in the center of one 10-inch circle. Using a rubber spatula, spread the meringue in an even layer to fill the circle. Repeat with the remaining meringue mixture and the other baking sheet.
  • Bake the meringue for 2 hours. Turn off the oven, crack open the door, and let the meringue rest for an additional hour. It should become very crisp and lightly browned.
  • Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream, gradually adding in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, until it forms stiff peaks, about 2 minutes.
  • Place 1 cooled meringue on a serving platter. Add 1⁄2 of the whipped cream. Scatter with 1⁄2 of the strawberries, raspberries, and red currants. Repeat with the remaining meringue, whipped cream, and berries, currants. Serve immediately.