Mini Pavlovas with Passionfruit: A Stunning Dessert Masterpiece
Mini Pavlovas with Passionfruit: A Stunning Dessert Masterpiece
Contents
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40-75 minutes
Total Time: 3-4 hours
Servings: 6-12 individual pavlovas
Difficulty: Intermediate
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Why You’ll Love These Mini Pavlovas
These mini pavlovas are a dessert dream. Imagine shattering through a crisp meringue shell into a cloud-like interior, topped with billowing cream and vibrant passionfruit. They’re sophisticated yet surprisingly achievable.

Essential Equipment
You’ll need:
- Electric mixer
- Large clean mixing bowl
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper
- Piping bag (optional)
Ingredients Breakdown
For the Meringue
- 6-8 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 300-430g caster sugar
- 10g cornstarch
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Cream Topping
- 300ml heavy whipping cream
- 40g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Passionfruit Topping
- 4-5 fresh passionfruit
- Optional: Fresh berries for garnish
Pro Tip Checklist
- Temperature Matters: Use room temperature egg whites
- Clean Equipment: Zero grease allowed in mixing bowl
- Sugar Technique: Add sugar gradually while beating
- Baking Secret: Low, slow oven is your friend
Foolproof Method
Meringue Magic
- Separate eggs carefully
- Beat egg whites until soft peaks form
- Gradually add sugar (1 tbsp at a time)
- Beat until glossy and stiff peaks develop
- Fold in cornstarch and vinegar gently
Baking Technique
- Pipe or spoon 6-7cm meringue mounds
- Bake at 120°C/250°F for 40-75 minutes
- Critical: Do NOT open oven door
Cream & Assembly
- Whip cream to soft peaks
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla
- Pipe cream onto cooled meringues
- Top with fresh passionfruit pulp

Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet
| Problem | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Runny meringue | Beat longer, add sugar slower |
| Collapsed pavlovas | Keep oven door closed |
| Weeping cream | Add cornstarch, use cold cream |
Stunning Variations
- Mango Pavlova
- Berry Pavlova
- White Chocolate Drizzle Version
- Lemon-Passionfruit Twist
Storage Wisdom
- Meringue shells: 1 week at room temperature
- Assembled pavlovas: Serve within 2-3 hours
- Best enjoyed immediately for perfect texture
Nutrition Snapshot
- High protein from egg whites
- Moderate sugar content
- Approximately 270-390 calories per serving
Final Pro Tips
- Use digital kitchen scale for precise measurements
- Humidity is meringue’s enemy
- Practice makes perfect!
Grab your electric mixer, channel your inner pastry chef, and let’s create some dessert magic!
