Summer Celebration Pavlova
A love letter to my favorite summer dessert... which is perfect for the 4th
When I think of summer desserts, my mind immediately goes to the billowy, cloud-like confection that is a pavlova. And if you’ve never had a pavlova, I’m so sorry, because it’s absolute heaven.
Originating from Australia or New Zealand (the debate lives on), pavlova is a dessert named after the famed Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, known for its perfectly crisp meringue shell and soft, marshmallow-like interior. It’s ever so slightly chewy but melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and pretty much foolproof to make.
To serve, pavlovas are topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream (feel free to add your own flavoring) and studded with plenty of fresh berries or stone fruit. And truly, the cool whipped cream and fresh fruit make for a very welcome contrast to hot summer evenings. For those reasons, I recently served two “table” pavlovas at a dinner party we threw in our garden a few weeks ago. I doubled this recipe to make a celebration-worthy centerpiece for each table that guests could just tuck into as much (and as often) as they like. The vibrant jewel-toned berries and fresh lavender never fail to impress.
So whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, or poolside gathering, or looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert to bring to a 4th of July celebration next week, I have you covered.
Yield: 8-10 servings
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