Strawberry Pavlova Whipped Cream (Printer-Friendly)

Crisp meringue paired with silky whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a balanced finish.

# What You Need:

→ Meringue

01 - 4 large egg whites, room temperature
02 - 1 cup superfine sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
04 - 1 teaspoon white vinegar
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Whipped Cream

06 - 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
07 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Topping

09 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
10 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional
11 - Fresh mint leaves, optional for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and draw a 9-inch circle as a guide.
02 - In a clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.
03 - Gradually add superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff, glossy peaks form, approximately 7 to 10 minutes.
04 - Gently fold in cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla extract using a spatula until fully incorporated.
05 - Spoon meringue onto prepared baking sheet within the circle guide. Shape into a disc with slightly raised edges to form a nest.
06 - Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn off oven and allow meringue to cool completely inside with door slightly ajar.
07 - In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
08 - In a separate bowl, toss sliced strawberries with granulated sugar if desired. Let sit for 10 minutes to macerate.
09 - Transfer cooled meringue to serving plate. Spread whipped cream evenly over center.
10 - Top with strawberries and garnish with mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in a pastry kitchen, but the actual hands-on time is shockingly short.
  • That contrast between the crispy exterior and marshmallow-soft center is genuinely addictive.
  • Fresh strawberries and whipped cream make it taste like summer, no matter the season.
02 -
  • Even one drop of egg yolk or grease will prevent your whites from whipping properly—seriously, wash your bowl and beaters obsessively before you start.
  • The meringue will crack if it cools too quickly, so resist the urge to open that oven door until it's completely cold.
  • Assemble this no more than an hour before serving, or the meringue will soften from the moisture in the cream and strawberries.
03 -
  • Save your egg whites in the fridge for a day or two before making this—they whip up even better as they age slightly.
  • If you're serving a crowd, you can make two smaller pavlovas instead of one large one, and they'll actually be easier to transport and serve.
  • On humid days, the meringue can absorb moisture from the air, so if you have one that softens faster than expected, it's the weather, not you.
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