Welcome to the Australian Pavlova Blog Hop event!
This event was born out of a discussion among myself and fellow food bloggers, The Hungry Australian, Dining With a Stud, 84th & 3rd and The Capers of the Kitchen Crusader, on Twitter one night as we, naturally, discussed food. Discussions soon turned to pavlova, and we all thought it would be a great idea to share our own take on pavlova recipes, and the Australian Pavlova Blog Hop was born. This event aims to bring together food bloggers to share their amazing pavlova creations, and will hopefully inspire you to create your own pavlovas.
If you would like to learn more about the Great Australian Pavlova Blog Hop event, find out the difference between a pavlova and a meringue or what a blog hop is you can read more here.
Hopefully this event will be the first of many such events, which we are calling Sweet Adventures. Starting with the Australian Pavlova, each month we aim to explore a new national dessert in a blog hop, just like this one. If you would like to join the next Sweet Adventure please leave a comment below and we’ll provide you details on the next dessert and country we’ll be exploring. Also, if you have suggestions for national desserts you would like to see us feature just leave a comment below detailing your ideas.
Now, onto my Black Forest Pavlova. For my pavlova I wanted to do something a little different. I’m not a big fan of cream, so I didn’t want to go down the traditional fruit and cream route. I thought for some time about what to make, but when I found some beautiful dark cherries at the grocer one day I knew what I wanted to make – a Black Forest Pavlova!! You might recall the Black Forest Cake I made for Halloween recently, which was a huge hit in our house, so I thought a Black Forest Pavlova would be equally delicious, and it was!!
Chocolate pavlova, chocolate cream and fresh cherries…let me tell you, this Black Forest Pavlova it’s a plate full of chocolate sugary deliciousness! However, if it all seems like a bit too much chocolate for you then you might like to add a simple layer of whipped cream on top of the cherries, before adding the second pavlova on top.
I urge you to check out all of the delicious pavlova submissions below. They are sure to have you salivating, and hopefully will inspire you to bake your own pavlova. You will see from all of the submissions that the humble pavlova can in fact be an amazingly diverse dessert.
Do you like pavlova? Tell me about your favourite pavlova.
Black Forest Pavlova
Ingredients
- PAVLOVA:
- 6 large egg whites
- a pinch of salt
- 285 g caster sugar
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1/4 cup of cocoa sifted
- 300 g of fresh cherries half pitted and cut in half
- CHOCOLATE CREAM:
- 150 g dark chocolate finely chopped
- 3/4 cup double cream
- 2 tsps of cherry liqueur
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 120 degrees celsius (250 Fahrenheit).
- Line a large baking tray with baking paper and trace two 15cm circles, ensuring they are spaced far enough apart. Turn the baking paper over so you can see the circles.
- Use an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whisk egg whites and salt until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time until meringue is thick and glossy and sugar dissolved. To test if the sugar is dissolved rub a little of the pavlova mixture between your fingers and if feels gritty continue to whisk until sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
- Add cornflour and vinegar and whisk until just combined.
- Sift the cocoa over the mixture and carefully fold through with a rubber spatula.
- Spread the mixture onto the baking paper, and use a spatula to spread the mixture into the shape of the circles you traced earlier. Smooth the tops so that they will lay neatly on top of one another when assembled.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until the pavlova is dry to touch. Turn off the oven and leave the oven door ajar and allow the pavlovas to cool completely before removing from the oven.
- To make the chocolate cream, combine the chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Heat until chocolate melts, stirring well to ensure the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes to cool before stirring in the cherry liqueur. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. Remove from the refrigerator and use an electric beater to beat until thickened.
- To assemble the place one pavlova on a serving plate and top with 3/4 of the chocolate cream. Top with the pitted and halved cherries. Carefully place the other pavlova on top and top with the remainder of the chocolate cream and decorate with the remaining cherries.
growing up, my favorite dessert was a pavlova topped with a thin layer of whipped cream with berries and kiwi on top. I’ve never had a chocolate pavlova, but this is going on my list of recipes to try ASAP!
Your pictures are beautiful!
Gorgeous looking Pav!!
Such a stunning pavlova!!! Thanks for letting me join in the fun!
Thanks Liz 😀 So glad you could join us.
Pavlova seems so intimidating. I’m amazed at the collection and creativity here!
What an awesome idea to add a bit of a twist to the traditional. Will have to try this next time since I’m a massive sucker for chocolate!
Thanks Ashley 😀
I’m not too much of a fan of pavlova (nor meringue), but chocolate pavlova is the one flavour which I’m okay with 😉 And this looks so chocolatey that I’m sure I’d like it too! Love the photos in this post too! 😉
It’s funny you say you don’t like meringue or pavlova but you like chocolate pavlova, my stepson is exactly the same. A little bit of chocolate always helps things go down better 😀
Too much chocolate?! There is no such thing. 😉
I know you’re right Sylvie, but some people don’t like chocolate quite as much as we do 😀
This is such a good idea (both the Pavlova hop and your Black Forest version…amazing). I love the combination of dark chocolate and cherries and can imagine it tastes incredible. I love a simple pavlova too – with lots of whipped cream, fruit and crunchy meringue – and of course the best one I’ve ever eaten was in Australia 🙂
Stunning!
So sad I missed out the fun!
Hopefully you can join us next month for our Christmas challenge Anh 😀
I ADORE pavlova and have made many variations but never a blackforest one! My fave would probably have to be the brown sugar pavlova with rum bananas or the equally delicious peaches and cream pavlova, but pretty much any pav will do 🙂
I remember your brown sugar pavlova. It looked amazing!!!!
I really love the black forest idea and it looks gorgeous! I got some beautiful cherries in my fruit and veg delivery last week and wanted to incorporate them into my pav – this is a perfect way!
Thanks Leah 😀
Black Forest Pavlova sounds (and looks!) delish. Here in the US, we rarely see pavlova. We need to import your tasty tradition across the Pacific;)
-E
Maybe you can kick off the tradition Erin 😀
Your pavlova looks beautiful! Makes my mouth water 🙂
Thanks Melanie 😀
Thanks so much for organising this :D. Look forward to the next ;). Yum cherries and cream!
Well done on organising the pav blog hop, fantastic idea. Sorry that I couldn’t participate. Chocolate and cherries are such a great combination. Your pav looks wonderful.
Thanks Sara, hopefully you can participate in our next blog hop which will be happening before Christmas 😀
These all look amazing, and I’m not even much of a fan of pavlova (I know, how very un-Australian of me!). I’d love to take part in a future challenge.
Hi Tenille, we will be having another challenge coming up shortly. I hope you will be able to participate. 😀
What a great collection; I just love pavlova’s and when I see this wonder why I don’t make them more often!
This has been my first blog hop and I have really enjoyed seeing all the lovely Pavlova creations, thank you for hosting it. I love the idea of a Black Forest Pavlova as I also love cherries! I always like when a Pavlova cracks as it really does add to its charm.
Thank you so much for joining us Moya 😀 It’s been great to see the amazing array of pavlovas everyone has posted.
Your pavlova is just gorgeous!! Thanks so much for hosting – this was fun! I can’t wait to check out what everyone else has made. I think I’ll be on a serious Pavlova kick after this – it was so delicious and easy!
Thank you so much for joining us Katherine 😀 I think we will all be on a pavlova kick after this. There’s so much inspiration 😀
Oh that is one plate full of chocolaty scrumptious goodness! Looks so lovely and I love the double layers!
Thanks for your comments Anna, and thank you for joining us in this event 😀
Love these flavors! Sorry I didn’t have time to participate this year — can’t wait to make my first pavlova down the road.
Thanks for coming over to have a look at the entries Xiaolu 😀 I know you’ve been busy with exams. Hopefully you will be able to participate in the next event 🙂
This looks incredible. I’ve never made a pavlova before. This one is perfect for me. Love black forest.
Oh my…. hello deliciousness!! Looks amazing!
Thanks for organising. I am so glad that I made it in time and I made it! I get to enjoy my fruits of labor.
Thanks for joining us Penny 😀
Hi Jennifer, your version of the pav looks fabulous. All the entries look great in fact having checked a few. One of my blogging buddies suggested I join this blog hop and I think it’s a great idea, I’m not sure I’ll get a chance to join on the current Pavlova recipe, but I’ll see what I can do. It’s all a matter of blog time…
Hi David, Thanks for visiting. I hope you are able to find the time to join us. It’s a lot of fun seeing what everyone comes up with. 😀
That looks wonderful! What an exquisite pavlova.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa 😀 Will you be joining us in the Pavlova Blog Hop?
Exquisitely presented Pavlova! Mouth watering! Love the combination – black forest and pavlova! Thanks for organising this blog hop! Enjoying to see so many pavlovas!
You’re welcome bambiman. Thanks for joining in on the fun 😀
I love cherry and chocolate and this looks absolutely more-ish. Glad someone else got on the ‘oh just a splash of alcohol’ bandwagon too – ha! Love that we all pulled it together in the end, thanks for hosting the first one 🙂
Thanks JJ 😀 It’s so wonderful to see so many people participating in this event.
Your pav looks adorable, the cherries are a nice touch.
Thanks Lau 😀
Yum! I love black forest gateau. Great idea! I’m loving what all the bloggers came up with for this! Thanks for hosting! 🙂
I love what everyone came up with too. Such diversity and so many great ideas. I’m bookmarking a few 😀
Dear Jennnifer
That’s a beautiful looking cherry pavlova and it’s in season too, how wonderful! I’ve submitted my entry and hopefully I’ve done it correctly.
Hi Chopinand your entry came through and I’ve approved it. Thanks for joining in on the fun of this event! 😀
Beautiful pics, Jennifer and a lovely recipe. What a fun idea – thanks for hosting it!
Thanks for joining us Amanda. I’m really enjoying seeing everyones unique take on the pavlova. 😀
What a beautiful pav Jennifer!!! Its so perfect 🙂 Im not a cherry fan but this is def making me rethink that haha
Thanks Nic 😀 You are so sweet. I don’t know about perfect, it cracked much more than I would have liked, but it all tastes good in the end!!! 😀
Gorgeous pav, Jennifer. This looks like a very grown up, adults only pavlova 🙂 The chocolate and cherry flavours would be lovely. Great pics, too.
Thanks Christina 😀 Sugar and a little bit of booze can never be a bad thing can it 😉
Wow, that is a stunner and a lovely idea! Congratulations. And thanks so much for this inspiring initiative. Love it!
Thanks for participating Lizzy. You did an amazing job sharing 2 pavlovas. 😀