Mini Pavlovas
Mini Pavlovas are light, elegant desserts featuring crisp, airy meringue shells with soft, marshmallow-like centers. Topped with whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruits, they offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. Perfect for parties or special occasions, these customizable single-serving treats are simple to make and naturally gluten-free.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini pavlovas 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meringue Shells
- 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- 1 cup fresh cream, lightly whipped
- Seasonal fruits such as strawberries, kiwifruit, passion fruit, blueberries
- Prepare your ingredients and preheat the oven: Gather egg whites, sugar, cornstarch, and vinegar. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) to dry the meringue gently without browning.
- Whip the egg whites: In a clean, grease-free bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, one spoonful at a time, continuing to whip until you reach glossy, stiff peaks that will give you a crisp, stable shell.
- Fold in cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla: Carefully fold the cornstarch, vinegar (or lemon juice), and vanilla extract into the meringue with a spatula, preserving the airiness while creating a marshmallow-like center and adding subtle flavor.
- Shape the Mini Pavlovas: Spoon meringue onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, forming small rounds about 3 inches in diameter, with slight wells in the center to hold the whipped cream and fruit toppings later. Try to keep sizes consistent for even baking.
- Bake and cool: Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 60 to 70 minutes until the shells are crisp but remain white. Turn off the oven and let the shells cool inside to avoid cracking caused by temperature changes.
- Assemble the Mini Pavlovas: Once cooled, top each meringue shell with whipped cream and a selection of fresh fruits before serving. Enjoy the contrast of the crisp exterior and soft cream filling.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better volume when whipping.
- Ensure all mixing bowls and beaters are clean and grease-free to maximize meringue stability.
- Add sugar slowly to prevent deflating the egg whites and create a smooth, glossy texture.
- Bake low and slow to dry the shells while keeping centers soft.
- Cool pavlovas inside the turned-off oven to prevent cracking.
- For vegan option, replace egg whites with aquafaba and cream with coconut cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pavlova
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Mini Pavlovas, meringue dessert, gluten free dessert, single serving dessert, fruit pavlova, easy gourmet dessert