Pavlovas with Strawberries and Balsamic
These airy pavlovas are crowned with softly whipped cream and topped with a sweet strawberry balsamic jam. You’ll love this pillowy light baked meringue dessert! Naturally gluten-free.
Hi friends! I just want to say thanks so much to all of you who’ve been so kind in wishing me a speedy recovery. I’m doing lots better than I was; no more fever and just a little bit of a stuffy, achy head at this point. It sure is tough to stay healthy when the kiddos seem to pick up every bug that comes down the pike! But I’m up and around again and just trying my best to get caught up. Boy, it only takes a day or two before everything seems to just come loose at the seams. Heaven help me!
Thank goodness for easy recipes! I really wanted to keep it simple for today’s post. I know it sounds kinda fancy, but just think of this as a baked meringue with whipped cream and berries. That’s really all there is to it!
I love them for Easter, because they’re eggy, but happily, they’re also perfect for Passover because there’s no flour or leavening. Which means they’re also gluten-free 😉
This dessert is all about balance. Keep the whipped cream unsweetened- the meringue is already pretty sweet. I did add the seeds of a vanilla bean though. So good!
And the berries…! Oh, my goodness, this strawberry balsamic thing. I am telling YOU! It is seriously to die for. I know it maybe sounds a little strange, but it is actually a classic pairing. It doesn’t taste vinegary, per se, but the balsamic vinegar just brings something out in the berries… somehow it makes them taste even more strawberry-ish. Half the berries get simmered in sugar and balsamic, for a quick jam/preserve kinda thing, and then the other half get folded into that, so sometimes you get a berry that’s sort of chewy/syrupy, sometimes you get a fresh berry that’s tart and juicy, and all of it is slicked in this musty, fruity drizzle.
That little bit of basil sure looks pretty, too, right? It’s amazing how much basil flavor permeates into the dessert, just with those few leaves scattered on top. It really compliments so well! That little hit of herbal freshness just brings everything together: sweet, crumbly-marshmallowy meringue, pillowy cream, summery berries, and a hint of basil… mm!
You’ve got to make this dessert! It’s so super simple to prepare, and yet so elegant. I’m telling you, you will swoon! I totally did, and I’m 99% sure it wasn’t the antihistamines.
Hopefully this weekend I’ll get caught up on visiting and commenting on blogs, so I’m sorry for being MIA this week! But we’ve also got little league games, my seven(!)-year old’s birthday, and eggs to dye/baskets to fill 😀 I hope you all have a lovely Easter, full of love and family and yummy treats!
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Pavlovas with Strawberries and Balsamic
Ingredients
For the Meringues:
- 4 egg whites, (large)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
For the Strawberry Balsamic Topping:
- 3 cups strawberries,, hulled and quartered (divided)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- seeds scraped from a vanilla bean, (or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract)
- a few sprigs of fresh basil
Instructions
Make the Meringues:
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
- Whip the egg whites in a large bowl until frothy. Gradually and very S-L-O-W-L-Y, add in the sugar, while whipping. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
- Place 6 dollops of meringue, about 4 inches in diameter, on parchment-lined baking sheets. Use the back of a spoon to shape the meringues, creating a slight well in the centers.
- Bake for one hour, turn off the oven, and prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon until completely cooled.
Make the Strawberry Balsamic Topping:
- Place 1½ cups of strawberries in a wide shallow pan, along with the sugar and balsamic vinegar.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat down to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes or until thick and syrupy.
- Cool, and fold in the remaining berries.
Assemble the Pavlovas:
- Whip the cream until it holds soft peaks, then fold in the vanilla.
- Top each meringue with whipped cream and berries; garnish with fresh basil.
It’s the middle of the afternoon and one look at this post has be me craving dessert right away! Looks heavenly!
Oh, man, sorry to do that to you, Pamela! Although I always seem to crave desserts in the afternoon. 😉 Thanks so much for the sweet comment, dear, and hope you’re having a great week so far <3
I am so happy to hear that you are headed to recovery, Allie! It is no fun being sick that’s for sure! At least you have these little Pavlovas to help you through it! You take a look at these little guys and you’d think they require a gazillion ingredients! I was shocked to see that so little was required! They look so yummy, and I can’t wait to try them out! Pinned!
I know they do look fancy but they are pretty simple to put together! Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Justine. And for pinning too!
Hope you are feeling better Allie, so true, it’s hard to not get sick when the kiddos come home with something new everyday. These pavlovas are beautiful, I’ve never made them before too but they sound incredible especially with the balsamic strawberries! I love the hint of basil in here too – pinning:) Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend and happy happy birthday to your 7 year old:)
Thanks so much Kelly! He enjoyed his birthday and Easter too! And I’m doing much better now, thanks. Hope you guys had a fun weekend too!
Allie these are seriously phenom girl!
Wow thanks Jocelyn! I’m so glad you thought so- thanks for the great feedback girl! 😀
These look like perfect puffy clouds! I love the look of them, and they sound delicious!! Strawberries and balsamic are so amazing together!
Aren’t they though? And they were just like eating sweet clouds! Thanks so much Cate 😉
I have never made a pavlova before! It looks like I need to get on this train!
Oh heck ya! You’re missing out girl! I bet you could come up with all sorts of fabulous pavlova ideas…
I have never had a pavlova before, but these sure do look pretty and elegant!! 🙂
Oh, Renee! You’ve got to try! They are soooo good! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment. Hope you’re having a great week 😉
Um… one word AMAZING. These look so good! And the pictures are just fabulous! I hope you feel better soon… I swear this long winter is bringing us all down. But your pavlovas are sure to make me feel better!
Thanks Ally! You’re too sweet. I’m doing much better now, and thank goodness the sun’s shining and the grass is green 😀 Spring makes everything seem better. Hope you had a fun weekend! <3
Hope you’re feeling much better by now Allie! These pavlovas look wonderful, and that strawberry/balsamic combo does sound amazing indeed! Definitely something I need to try!
Have a nice weekend! x
Thanks Consuelo! I am doing much better, and a lazy weekend was just what the doctor ordered! Hope your weekend was lots of fun and thanks for the sweet comment <3
I’ve been meaning to make a pavlova for almost two years now!
Oh man, I think it’s time you just go for it! They’re so easy and delish! Hope you had a fun weekend, Graham 😉
Oh, my! This is my dream dessert – sweet meringue, light and fluffy cream and those drool-worthy strawberries. Such a pretty dessert too! So glad to hear you are feeling better, Allie. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you Ashley! They were so fluffy and dreamy… I actually ate two in one sitting! Hope you had a wonderful holiday, my dear! xoxo
Allie!! I LOVE Pavlovas!!! and have yet to make these myself! I didn’t know you were sick! but glad you are feeling better. . I hear you on the kids picking up every sickness possible. . Madeline was sick this week so stayed home with me all week. . longest week ever because I had so much to do. . #miami #cantwait 🙂
Ya, I was under the weather, yet again! Nothing too serious, but you know. The worst thing about the kids getting sick is, I end up getting it EVERY time. Hopefully we’ll have a good long healthy streak now that the weather’s warming up. And hopefully you’re all caught up now! Love the hashtags…. 😛
I’ve never made meringue before. Is it really that easy? Like, just whip whip whip whip whip and voila! Peaks form? I would love to try these but I’ve always felt intimidated by meringue.
Oh no, meringue’s not scary at all! It’s a cinch! Just whip, like you said, it all comes together in a matter of minutes! Good luck, Liv!
Yum these look delicious! I love the photos too 🙂
Thank you so much, Lilli! They were utterly delicious 😉 I’m so happy you liked the photos! Hope your week is off to a terrific start!
Wow, you really sold these to me with your beautiful description, Allie. They sound so simple and yet so utterly delicious as well. I’ve tried pairing strawberries with balsamic vinegar before (in a strawberry cheesecake topping) and I agree … it goes so so well!
Such lovely crisp photos as well. Happy Easter!
Oh, so you know! Balsamic and strawberries on cheesecake sounds divine…! Thanks so much for the lovely compliments, Helen. Hope your Easter was wonderful 🙂
So pretty! I love Pavlovas!
Thanks Anna! Me too, so easy and so adaptable 😉
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been under the weather and hope you get healthy and stay that way! Kids do bring in the funk, don’t they? 🙂 I’m a huge fan of the berry-balsamic thing, and even pour balsamic glaze over my berries and yogurt, so this looks divine! The balsamic must really balance out the sweetness of those meringues so well. Delicious dessert, Allie!
Ugh, they sure do! This has been the worst winter ever for illnesses, it seems like every few weeks there’s another bug making its way thru our house! Thanks so much Marcie, and yes, the balsamic berries really brought it all into balance. Such a good combo! I’ll have to try it on yogurt, that sounds fabulous!
Hope you start feeling more like yourself quickly, Allie! I know it’s no fun to be sick especially this time of year when it’s starting to get nicer outside. And these pavlovas! They are just gorgeous! I’ve never made pavlovas before, but I’ve always wanted to. Love how billowy and soft they look and those strawberries and balsamic look so bright and luscious! pinned.
That looks amazing! I love meringues, but I’ve never made a pavlova- I clearly have to!
Oh ya! Do it- right away! They’re so good and you can fill them up with anything your heart desires… although I highly recommend strawberries & balsamic, lol! Thanks for reading Chloe, and for the sweet comment 😀
I’ve never made a pavlova. This is so awesome looking. I love that wooden board too. New or old. I’ve really been looking for something similar.
Hope you’re feeling better and that you’re week is going well!
Thanks Melanie! You’ve gotta try pavlova- it’s soooo good and so easy and adaptable. I love it with the whipped cream… The board is from Home Goods! They have tons of them in all different sizes, and they’re cheap! Go get one, girl 😉