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Smashed Pavlova Cherry Trifle

A delightful dessert featuring light pavlova, juicy cherries, and creamy layers for a burst of flavor in every spoonful.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Australian
Keyword: Cherry Dessert, Creamy Desserts, Layered Dessert, Pavlova, Trifle
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 350kcal

Ingredients

For the Pavlova

  • 6 extra-large egg whites
  • 1.5 cups caster sugar 300g
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

For the Fruit Mixture

  • 300 g cherries, halved and pitted
  • 0.25 cup caster sugar 50g
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice 60ml
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 250 g raspberries

For the Cream Layer

  • 600 ml thickened cream (heavy cream)
  • 0.33 cup amaretto liqueur optional

For Garnish

  • 0.25 cup natural sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  • In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add in the caster sugar while continuing to beat, until firm, glossy peaks form.
  • Add the vinegar, vanilla extract, and sea salt to the mixture. Gently fold in the cornflour with a spatula until well combined.
  • Spoon dollops of the meringue onto the lined tray and spread them into an even layer.
  • Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 105°C (220°F) or until the meringue is crisp on the outside and has a marshmallow-like texture inside. Leave the meringue to cool in the oven with the door slightly ajar.
  • Once cooled, break the pavlova into large pieces for layering.

Fruit Preparation

  • In a bowl, toss the halved cherries with sugar, lemon juice, and almond extract. Then, gently fold in the raspberries.

Cream Preparation

  • In another bowl, beat the thickened cream with amaretto until stiff peaks form.

Assembly

  • In a trifle dish, layer the broken pavlova pieces, followed by the cream mixture and the cherry-berry mixture. Sprinkle toasted almonds on top.
  • Chill the trifle in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use fresh cherries and raspberries for the best flavor. You can prepare the pavlova a day before and assemble the trifle just before serving to keep the layers fresh.