Two-Berry Pavlova

Name: Two-Berry Pavlova
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 4 large egg whites; 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; 1 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; TOPPINGS:; 2 cups fresh blackberries; 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries; 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided; 1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

Here's a light and airy dessert that I first tried in Ireland. When I got home, I made it for my kids, who loved to build their own with their favorite fruits. The whipped cream makes for icing on the cake! —Norma Stevenson, Eagan, Minnesota

Ingredients

4 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon lemon juice
TOPPINGS:
2 cups fresh blackberries
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions

Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper; draw a 10-in. circle on paper. Invert paper.
Preheat oven to 300°. Add cream of tartar to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold in cornstarch and lemon juice.
Spoon meringue onto prepared pan; with the back of a spoon, shape into a 10-in. circle, forming a shallow well in the center. Bake 45-55 minutes or until meringue is set and dry. Turn off oven (do not open oven door); leave meringue in oven 1 hour. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheet.
To serve, toss berries with 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add remaining sugar; beat until soft peaks form.
Remove meringue from parchment paper; place on a serving plate. Spoon whipped cream over top, forming a slight well in the center. Top with berries.

Health Tip: Anthocyanins are a group of compounds that give berries their vibrant red-violet color. They may help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 208 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 29mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.

Originally published as Pavlova in Simple & Delicious April/May 2016