This dessert just seemed like the perfect end to the Mother’s Day lunch I hosted for my mom and family. First of all, it has chocolate in it. Secondly, I thought it represented both my Mom and I nicely. The base of the dessert is a pavlova, or meringue-based cake. It is named after the famed Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, which is perfect since I’m a ballet teacher. The cream is laced with Chambord, which is perfect for my mom since it’s one of her favorite liquers. Sure, she usually enjoys it in margaritas, but this dessert will work too!
The toppings for this recipe are fairly flexible. You could easily substitute your favorite fruits and change up the liquer to compliment the fruit.
Chocolate Pavlova with Chambord Cream and Fresh Berries
from “Paula Deen’s Special Collection: Chocolate Celebration”Ingredients:For the pavlova and fruit:
6 egg whites, at room temperature1/4 tsp. cream of tartar1 c. sugar1 tsp. distilled white vinegar1/2 tsp. chocolate extract (I used vanilla)1/4 c. Dutch-processed cocoa1 tsp. cornstarch
1 c. fresh strawberries1 c. fresh blackberries1/2 c. fresh blueberries1 kiwi, halved and thinly sliced
For the Chambord cream:
Ingredients:2 c. heavy whipping cream1/3 c. confectioners’ sugar2 TBSP Chambord liquer (optional)Directions:1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw a ten-inch circle on parchment. (I made mine a square to fir my pedestal.)2. To make the pavlova: In a large bowl combine egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 TBSP at a time. Beat until soft peaks form. Fold in vinegar and chocolate extract.3. Combine and sift cocoa and cornstarch. Gently fold into egg white mixture.4. Spoon mixture onto parchment paper, gently easing into size of circle.5. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Turn oven off and let pavlova cool completely in the oven.
6. While the pavolva bakes, make the Chambord cream by beating whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer in a medium bowl.7. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in in Chambord. Cover cream and chill until ready to use.8. Just before serving, spoon cream over center of pavlova. Top with fruit and serve immediately.
yield: 8 servings
I am the luckiest Mom in the world that I got invited to “Kelsey’s Kitchen” for Mother’s Day. This dessert is to die for! I can’t imagine anything that wouldn’t be good with Chambord, but this dessert is the best. It literally melts in your mouth! Yummy!!
How pretty!