Chocolate Pavlova

Elegant perfectly describes this crisp-on-the outside, marshmallow-soft-on-the-inside puff, crowned luxuriously with cream, strawberries and a drizzle of bittersweet chocolate.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Calories: 402 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 6 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, melted
• 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1 (1 ounce) square bittersweet chocolate, melted

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).

Step 2

Beat together egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar to soft peaks in a large bowl. Beat in sugar, about three tablespoons at a time, until stiff and glossy peaks form. Sift cocoa and cornstarch over egg whites, and gently fold in. Gently fold in vinegar, vanilla, and melted chocolate.

Step 3

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the meringue into an eight inch circle. Bake in the center of the oven for 1 1/2 hours until the outside is crispy and the center is soft. Using a metal spatula, loosen the meringue from the parchment paper, and remove to cool on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely, about one hour.

Step 4

Whip cream with the sugar, and spread over the meringue. Arrange strawberries decoratively over the top, and drizzle with chocolate.