Introduction: Spooky Pavlova

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I have always loved pavlovas. A pavlova is a crunchy meringue topped with a creamy pudding, whipped cream, and fruit. I wanted to bring Halloween to Pavlovas and thus the Spooky Pavolva was formed! This dessert is all-natural and gluten-free!

Supplies

Meringue:

  • 4 eggs whites
  • 1/4 cup of sugar
  • 1 tsp. of fine activated charcoal

Pastry Cream:

  • 4 eggs yolks
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 1/4 cup of cornstarch
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons cold butter
  • 3 carrots
  • 1/2 cup of water

Whipped Cream:

  • 2-3 cups of heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 of a small pack of blackberries
  • 1/4 cup of water

Toppings:

  • Fruit(blueberries and blackberries)
  • Chocolate Chips

Step 1: Making the Meringue

  1. Preheat oven to 225 Fahrenheit
  2. Separate the egg whites and yolks into two bowls
  3. Whip the whites until foamy
  4. Slowly add in the sugar, one tablespoon at a time
  5. Whip until stiff peaks form
  6. Slowly fold in the activated charcoal
  7. Line a cookie sheet with baking parchment
  8. Place the meringue onto the parchment in a circle
  9. Bake for 2 hours or until hard to the touch

Step 2: Making the Pastry Cream

  1. In a bowl add the egg yolks, sugar, and corn starch
  2. Mix together in a bowl
  3. Heat the milk on the stove
  4. Slowly pour the milk into the egg yolk mixture while whisking vigorously
  5. Pour back into the pan and heat on the stove
  6. Mix until thick
  7. Add in the butter for a more velvet texture

Step 3: Coloring the Pastry Cream

  1. Clean and grate 3 carrots
  2. Blend the carrots in a blender with 1/2 cup of water
  3. Add the carrot juice to the pastry cream and mix

Step 4: Making the Whipped Cream

  1. Whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form

Step 5: Coloring the Whipping Cream

  1. Blend 1/2 of a small package of blackberries with 1/4 cup of water
  2. On the stove reduce the blackberries into a thick mixture
  3. Let cool completely
  4. Add in the blackberry reduction into the whipping cream

Step 6: Assembling the Pavlova

  1. Place the meringue on a cake stand
  2. Add on the orange pastry cream
  3. Smooth out the pastry cream
  4. Add the purple whipped cream on the pastry cream
  5. Add your choice of fruit
  6. Add any other toppings such as orange zest and chocolate chips

Step 7: Enjoy!