Homemade: Pavlova

If it isn't obvious already, I love to bake. In my family all my cousins and aunties have made gorgeous Pavlova's for various occasions so I finally gave it a shot!

They aren't difficult to make but I've listed a couple tips along the way to help make this experience easier for you.


What you need:

• 6 egg whites
• 1 1/4 cup of caster sugar
• 2 tsp cornflour
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 300ml thickened cream
• 2 tbsp icing sugar mixture, sifted
• Fruit of your choice.
  - this is for decoration so choose whatever your heart desires!

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 120 degrees celsius. Line oven tray with foil. Lightly brush olive oil or melted butter over the tray and use a pastry brush to further distribute it. Heavily sprinkle flour over the tray.
   **Ensure you use a good amount of cornflour. Too much grease will make the Pav. heavy and lose its light fluffy texture.**
2. Whisks the egg whites using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, ensuring that it well mixed before another addition. 
3. Add cornflour, vinegar and vanilla and whisk till combined.
4. Use a spatula or a spoon to create a base for your pavlova. Gently add and spread the remaining meringue. Ensure that the edges are slightly raised. This acts as a nest for the fruit to sit in.
   **You can choose to draw a circle on the foil to assist you in create the perfect round base**
5. Bake in oven for 1.5 hours. Let the pavlova cool before taking it out.
   ***No matter how tempting, don't open the oven door while baking! Sometimes the pavlova collapses so don't do it!**
6. Once cool, decorate with all your favourite fruit and you're done!

Hope you've enjoyed this one!