Ingredients

  • 4 egg whites
  • 1 pinch cream of tartar
  • 1 cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)
  • 2 teaspoons cornflour (aka maize flour & cornstarch)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 300 ml thickened cream, whipped (large carton)
  • fruit, to decorate or crushed chocolate

Method

  • Preheat oven to 130°C Line two baking trays with baking paper. Draw 3 10cm (4 inch) circles on each piece of paper.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. This is quite a bit of beating.
  • Add the sugar one spoon at a time ,beat well after each addition. Dont be in a hurry to add the sugar quickly- your egg whites will not hold up if you do!
  • Continue beating until all of the sugar has been added and the meringue is thick and glossy.
  • Using a large clean metal spoon, gentley fold in the cornflour, vinegar and vanilla.
  • You can turn the paper over on the baking trays and still see the drawn circles. Spoon meringue onto the baking trays, using the circles as a guide.
  • Bake in the oven on the lowest shelves for 75 minutes or until crisp. Turn the oven off. Leave the pavlovas in the oven to cool completely, or overnight. Leave the oven door slightly ajar.
  • To serve-spoon whipped cream or fruche over each pavlova and decorate with fruit of your choice or crushed/flaked chocolate.