A celebratory gluten-free chocolate pavlova recipe topped with cherries, mulberries, and whipped cream. Jump to recipe.
Until last Thursday, I had exactly four trophies to show for my time on earth. Runner-up and then winner of the school speech contest in fourth and fifth grade, and two from the Enid’s Apple Pie Contest, also runner-up and then winner, which I secured well into adulthood. But now, there’s a shiny orange Le Creuset pepper mill in my collection; on it hangs a tag that says: Brooklyn Supper, Winner Editors’ Choice, Most Delicious Food. You guys – we won!
It’s still hard to believe. I keep replaying the moment, wondering “Did that really happen?” But the little tag confirms that yes, we did actually win. It’s deeply gratifying and I’m incredibly grateful for such a huge vote of confidence in me, my work, and all this delicious food. But the trip up to NYC was about much more than accolades. I got to meet dozens of my fellow bloggers, many of whom I’ve admired for years. I have lots of new friends and the feeling that I’m part of a vibrant community of talented, creative food types. I also was able to spend time with some of my very best friends in the world, catching up, celebrating, laughing, and reminiscing. It was all really cool.
This is a funny post to write. I’m beyond thrilled and happy, but have struggled for ways to properly convey to you, my readers, how thankful I am that you’re here. When I mentioned that we needed to move out of our Brooklyn apartment, you wrote with offers of places we could rent; when I shared the bittersweet news that we were leaving Brooklyn, you offered nothing but support and love; when I shared a story about chance and change, you jumped in with tales of your own what-ifs and almosts. You’ve been with us through the good and the bad, both in life and photography, and I want to thank you. Without you, Brian and I wouldn’t be here sharing stories, food, and snippets of our life. You guys are tops.
As it happens, a fruit covered chocolate pavlova pairs wonderfully with a glass of something dry and bubbly (really though, what doesn’t?). It’s airy and crisp on the outside, while the inside houses a deliciously chewy layer of chocolate meringue. Any sweet berry will do nicely on top, but here we used a mix of backyard mulberries and sweet cherries from the market – they lent a lovely, almost winey depth to the dessert, and the sweet tartness contrasted with the chocolate beautifully.
Baking a pavlova can be tricky, and cook times can vary from oven to oven. Start by cooking for 45 minutes, then check often. You’ll want to cook the pavlova until the edges barely blush golden and the top is crisp but still has some spring. Once cooked, leave pavlova in the oven to cool with the door slightly ajar; this helps the chewy/gooey layer on the bottom to set up nicely. Pavlovas shatter easily, and may even collapse, so keep plenty of whipped cream and fruit on hand to mask any mishaps.
A celebratory gluten-free chocolate pavlova recipe topped with cherries, mulberries, and whipped cream.
- 4 large egg whites , room temperature
- 1/3 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 cup superfine sugar (you can pulse the sugar a few times in a coffee grinder)
- 1/2 teaspoon finely ground coffee
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups berries and cherries (I used a mix of Bing cherries and mulberries)
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar , divided
- 1 cup heavy cream
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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In a large, spotlessly clean bowl, beat egg whites on high speed for 3 - 4 minutes, until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in the cream of tartar and beat for 1 minute more.
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Meanwhile, in a small bowl, use a fork to combine sugar, coffee, and cornstarch.
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With beater still on high, slowly add sugar mixture, beating until the meringue is stiff, pliant, and has a nice sheen – for 4 - 5 minutes more. Finally, fold in the cocoa, followed by the balsamic.
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Spoon onto prepared baking sheet and spread into an 8 - 10-inch circle, creating a few peaks and valleys as you do.
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Gently slide pavlova into the oven, turn heat down to 300 degrees F, and bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until the edges are the faintest golden, and the top is set but still has some spring. Turn off the heat, leave the oven door slightly ajar, and allow the pavlova to cool completely inside the oven. The cooked pavlova will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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To serve, toss the fruit with 1 tablespoon sugar. Beat the cream to soft peaks, folding in 1 teaspoon of sugar right at the end. Pile the pavlova with whipped cream and top with berries. Slice, and serve immediately.
This is gorgeous, Elizabeth! I love the contrasting colors between the cherries and the chocolate color of the pavlova. It looks absolutely delicious!
And congratulations again on your BIG win! You deserve it so much. It was so lovely to meet you finally; my only wish is that we could have spent more time together!
THIS WIN IS SO MAJOR!! And, so wildly deserved. Congrats my friend, I’m sending all my love to you all the time. And of course you’re killing it with this pavlova. Can we eat it together? xo!!
Wow looks absolutely stunning and congrats on your very much deserved win.
what a stunning pavlova!!! it was SOOOOO wonderful to finally meet you!!! i wish we could have had more time to hang! congratulations on your well well WELL deserved award. xoxo.
This pavlova is big time beautiful. Love the flavour and love your photos!
So happy for you, Elizabeth! And this pavlova is gorgeous!!
Your win is so well deserved, Elizabeth! I adore your blog. Congratulations!!!
And this pavlova is STUNNING. So, so gorgeous. <3
Congratulations Elizabeth!!!! I wish I could have been there to see all you winners get announced. Totally deserved, and incredible work, lovely lady!
ALL THE WIN ARE BELONG TO YOU!!!! ahhhhh!! I was elated and audibly squealed at my desk when I saw your post today. So so so THRILLED for you, lady! Well deserved. I admire you for being courageous enough to let the no’s win out and leave you with what-ifs AND for making such stunning food post after post. You, my dear, are a rockstar! <3
Hi Elizabeth! This pavlova looks amazing, those cherries are so stunning and glistening. I’m so happy we got to meet last week, it was a butt-ton of fun, and congratulations again on your fantastic win.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations on your big win! I was so happy to see your name there. This is an absolutely beautiful pavlova, too.
I am so so happy for you Elizabeth! Was wonderful getting to meet you and celebrate with everyone in NYC – still feels like a dream! Which is what this dessert looks like too 🙂 hope you are soaking up your major win with lots of happy times this week back home <3
SO MANY CONGRATS!!! The recipes and stories you share are consistently beautiful and inspiring, and you are SO deserving of that bright orange pepper mill!
And this pavlova? No exception. STUNNING. The words “backyard mulberries” make infinitely jealous. All I have right now are struggling “apartment balcony tomato-less tomato plants”. 😉 XO
such a stunning, stunning post and i am so happy for you guys!! it’s a well deserved win. here’s to many more!!!!
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to see that you’d won. I mean, you totally deserve it and it’s just so nice to see you get this recognition. Congrats!
Congratulations!! You deserve that trophy for sure and this pavlova…OMG! Yes, please!
I can never pass on chocolate pavlova and yours looks stunning! Congratulations on your win! Well deserved!
Huge congratulations on your win Elizabeth – I am so thrilled for you guys and so pleased that all the work that you have put into creating such an inspiring space has been recognised in this way.
Wow, what a beautiful dessert! I definitely love the combination of crisp, crackling meringue and deep, sweet berries. And you know the mulberries are definitely a great farewell to Brooklyn, considering how everywhere they are. 🙂
WOOOHOOO!! Mega high-fives for your extremely well deserved win! It was such a pleasure to meet you and this pavlova is perfect for celebrating anything!! *Fist bump*