Recipes › Plum › Roasted Plum Pavlova
Roasted Plum Pavlova
A spectacular summer dessert of crisp meringue piled high with softly whipped cream and topped with plums that have been roasted in red wine and star anise until jammy and intensely flavoured. The tartness of the plums cuts perfectly through the sweetness of the pavlova. This is a show-stopping centrepiece for any celebration.
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Ingredients
- 4 large egg whites
- 220 caster sugar
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- 600 g Victoria plums
- 100 ml red wine
- 50 light brown sugar
- 2 star anise
- 300 ml double cream
- 1 tbsp icing sugar
Contains: cereals gluten, eggs, milk, sulphites.
Method
- Preheat the oven to 130°C (110°C fan). Draw a 22 cm circle on baking paper, flip it over and place on a baking sheet.
- Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. Gradually add the caster sugar, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously, until the meringue is thick and glossy.
- Fold in the cornflour and vinegar.
- Spoon onto the circle, building up the edges slightly higher than the centre to form a bowl shape.
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes until the outside is crisp and dry. Turn off the oven and leave to cool completely inside.
- For the plums, place them cut-side up in a baking dish. Mix the red wine and brown sugar, pour over the plums and tuck in the star anise. Roast at 180°C for 25 minutes until tender and sticky. Cool completely.
- Whip the cream with the icing sugar to soft peaks. Spoon onto the cooled meringue and top with the roasted plums and their syrup.
Tips
- Make the meringue base the day before — it will keep well in a cool, dry place overnight.
- Ensure the bowl and whisk are completely grease-free before whisking egg whites.
Ring the changes
- Use a mixture of plums and blackberries on top for a deeper colour.
- Replace the red wine in the roasting with orange juice and a cinnamon stick for a non-alcoholic version.
Keeping it
Assemble just before serving. The meringue base can be made 24 hours ahead. The roasted plums keep refrigerated for 3 days.
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2 h · medium · Plum
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