Mary Berry’s Strawberry Pavlova is a baked meringue-based dessert topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries. The meringue is crisp on the outside while staying soft and marshmallow-like inside, offering a beautiful balance of textures with every bite.
4 large egg whites
225g caster sugar
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp cornflour
1 tsp vanilla extract
300ml double cream
2 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
300–400g fresh strawberries (sliced or halved)
Extra berries or mint for finishing
Preheat the oven to 150°C (130°C fan) / 300°F. Line a baking tray with parchment and draw a 20cm (8-inch) circle as a guide.
In a clean bowl, whisk egg whites on low speed until foamy. Increase speed and whisk until stiff peaks form.
Add caster sugar one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes glossy and forms firm peaks. This may take 5–7 minutes.
Gently fold in cornflour, vinegar, and vanilla extract. These ingredients help stabilize the pavlova and keep the center marshmallow-soft.
Spoon the meringue onto the parchment, staying within the marked circle. Shape it into a dome with a slight dip in the center.
Place in the oven, immediately reduce heat to 120°C (100°C fan) / 250°F, and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the pavlova cool completely inside with the door slightly ajar.
Whip double cream with icing sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Slice or halve strawberries and set aside.
Place the cooled meringue on a serving dish. Spoon whipped cream into the center and top generously with fresh strawberries.
Serve immediately for best texture. The crisp shell and creamy topping create a perfect balance!
Find it online: https://maryberrycooks.co.uk/mary-berry-strawberry-pavlova/