Orange Cream Pavlova

(12)
orange-cream-pavlova-med107742.jpg
Photo: Romulo Yanes
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
8

A pavlova may be a showstopper, but it's also simple to make. Preparing the satiny orange curd and crisp meringue in advance is the secret.Baking a meringue at a low temperature maintains its snowy white color. Leaving it in a turned-off oven overnight helps ensure a completely dry, perfect meringue.

Ingredients

For the Meringue

  • 5 large egg whites, room temperature

  • Cream of tartar

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

For the Orange Curd

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

  • 8 large egg yolks

  • 2 tablespoons orange zest, plus ½ cup orange juice (from 2 oranges)

  • ¼ cup lemon juice (from 2 lemons)

  • Fine salt

For the Topping

  • 1 ¼ cups cold heavy cream

  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

  • ½ ounce white chocolate, shaved with a vegetable peeler

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Make meringue: Trace a 10-inch circle onto a piece of parchment paper. Turn over and use parchment to line a baking sheet. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and pinch of cream of tartar on high until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. With mixer running, add granulated sugar in a slow, steady stream and continue to beat on high until whites are very stiff and glossy and sugar is dissolved, 5 minutes.

  2. With an offset spatula, gently shape meringue into a round on parchment-lined sheet, using circle as a guide; smooth top (make center slightly concave). Bake meringue until outside is dry, 2 hours. Turn off oven and let meringue cool completely in oven, about 5 hours (or up to overnight).

  3. Make curd: In a medium saucepan, off heat, whisk together granulated sugar, egg yolks, and orange zest; whisk in orange and lemon juices and pinch of salt. Place pan over medium-high and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and small bubbles form around edge of pan, 5 minutes (do not let boil). Immediately remove pan from heat while whisking. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl, pressing on curd with a rubber spatula. Press plastic wrap against surface; refrigerate until cool, 30 minutes (or up to 2 weeks).

  4. Make topping: In a large bowl, using mixer, beat cream and confectioners' sugar on high until stiff peaks form, 3 minutes. Gently peel meringue from parchment and transfer to a platter. Spoon curd in center and top with whipped cream and white chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.

Cook's Notes

Gift This: Because orange curd lasts several weeks in the refrigerator, it makes a great homemade present. It's delicious on scones and muffins or in store-bought tart shells.

Related Articles