Heavenly Homemade Strawberry Pavlova Recipe – A Light, Crisp, and Dreamy Dessert for Any Occasion

Discover the Secrets Behind This Classic Strawberry Pavlova, a Beloved Family Favorite and Restaurant Hit.

Some desserts have a way of wrapping themselves around our hearts forever. For me, Pavlova holds a special place — it was one of my mother’s most cherished recipes, passed down from her mother, and then to me. A gourmet home cook with a magical touch, my mother would often whip up a Pavlova that graced our table like a cloud of sweetness.

Years later, when I opened my restaurant, this very Strawberry Pavlova became one of the most requested desserts. Guests would even call ahead to ask if it would be on the menu! Whether adorned with glazed fresh fruits like strawberries or with a tangy twist of homemade lemon curd and blueberries, Pavlova never fails to enchant.

If there’s one dessert that perfectly captures the magic of a light and elegant sweet treat, it’s Pavlova. Crisp on the outside, marshmallow-soft on the inside, and crowned with luscious whipped cream and vibrant strawberries — this Strawberry Pavlova is a showstopper for any occasion.

The beauty of Pavlova lies not just in its impressive looks but in its versatility. Fresh strawberries bring a bright sweetness that pairs perfectly with the delicate meringue and soft whipped cream. The light dusting of powdered sugar and a few sprigs of mint elevate it even further, making it as beautiful to look at as it is delightful to eat.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Pavlova:

✅️ It's surprisingly simple to make with just a few basic ingredients.

✅️ It’s the perfect gluten-free dessert without even trying!

✅️ Ideal for spring, summer, or any special celebration.

✅️ You can easily switch toppings — think homemade lemon curd and blueberries for a refreshing alternative.

✅️ It never fails to impress guests — a real conversation starter!

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to something unforgettable, this Strawberry Pavlova is the recipe to bookmark. I’ll walk you through how to make it light, crisp, and perfect every time.

Pavlova Recipe

Makes: 4-6 large individual meringues or 1 large size

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites

• 90 g fine sugar

• 90 g icing/powdered sugar, sifted

• ½ tablespoon corn flour/maizena

For the filling:

• 250ml whipping cream, whipped (keep in the fridge until ready to use)

• 1 small box of fresh strawberries

• 4 tablespoons fine sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 scraped vanilla pod

• 3 tablespoons orange liqueur

• 3 tablespoons icing sugar for sprinkling

• Mint leaves for garnish

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 110°C/90°Fan

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking pad.

• In a clean mixing bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.

• While motor running, add the fine sugar, a tablespoon at a time until fully incorporated and the mixtures start to form firm peaks.

• Gradually add the icing sugar and continue to beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks – about 7-8 minutes. The meringue should be very smooth and shiny.

• Spoon the meringue on the lined baking sheet.

• With an offset spatula, spread the meringue in a circle making sure all edges have even thickness.

• Use a wet spoon, dipped in warm water, to make a well in the center of the meringue where the cream and fruits will sit.

• Place the meringue on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 1 hour 50 minutes. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DURING BAKING ‼️

When done, remove from oven and let cool completely.

Remove from parchment paper, place on a serving plate and fill the center with the whipped cream and fruits.

Prepare the filling:

• Whitethe Pavlova is baking, remove the crowns of the strawberries, cut the strawberries in half, lengthwise.

• In a medium size bowl, add the cut strawberries and gently mix the remaining ingredients. Let them marinate for at least one hour for flavors to develop.

• When ready to serve, spoon the whipped cream in the center of the Pavlova. With a slotted spoon, spoon the strawberries on top of the whipped cream and sprinkle with icing sugar and garnish with a mint leaf.

👩‍🍳 Chef’s Tip: the meringue should be crisp from the outside and nice and soft on the inside. From experience I have noticed that baking it exactly 1 hour and 50 minutes, it results in the precise texture I like, crispy and chewy with a soft interior. When making this dessert, make sure that the sugars are fully incorporated while whisking the egg whites. This is key to this dessert or your Pavlova will weep. This means that the sugar has not dissolved properly. Another important detail when making this dessert is to make sure not to make it on a day with high humidity such as on a rainy day, this will also cause weeping. And yes, it is a somewhat temperamental dessert and definitely a labor of love.

👩‍🍳 Pro Tip:

For the ultimate flavor, always use fresh, ripe strawberries and let your meringue cool slowly in the oven after baking. This prevents cracks and keeps that gorgeous marshmallowy center intact!

📌 Ready to create a little slice of heaven? Head over to the full recipe on this page and bring a piece of my family’s beloved tradition into your own kitchen. Once you taste that first bite — light, crisp, and cloud-like — you’ll understand why Pavlova is a dessert you’ll return to again and again.

Grab the full Strawberry Pavlova recipe here!

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