As an Australian expat living in America, I often find myself trying to incorporate my favorite childhood treats and desserts into my celebrations here in the States.
Holidays
Make Pavlova the Star of Your Holiday Dessert Table
Sweet, surprising, and light, this Aussie dessert does it all.
By Published Nov. 3, 2022.
I’ve made myself a few slices of birthday Fairy Bread. I made Vegemite sandwiches for my colleagues. But my very best Aus-merican mash-up will be the hero of my holiday menu: the iconic Aussie dessert, pavlova.
Sign up for the Notes from the Test Kitchen newsletter
Our favorite tips and recipes, enjoyed by 2 million+ subscribers!
America's Test Kitchen will not sell, rent, or disclose your email address to third parties unless otherwise notified. Your email address is required to identify you for free access to content on the site. You will also receive free newsletters and notification of America's Test Kitchen specials.
If you haven’t tried this heavenly Down-Under dessert, you should definitely acquaint yourself. Baked meringue, silky cream, and handfuls of fresh fruit make this the perfect holiday treat.
It’s gluten-free, can be made ahead of the celebrations, and—most importantly—it’s as light as the powdered snow on your windowsill.
After heapings of mashed potato, a second (or third) helping of succulent turkey, and a healthy serving of buttery vegetables, it can be difficult to face the prospect of a heavy pumpkin pie or chocolate dessert.
Book
Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings
When it comes to entertaining there’s nothing as crowd pleasing and visually impressive as a well thought out grazing board.Buy Now
That’s why pavlova is such a welcome and delicious alternative: You can enjoy a light, sweet, and fruity dessert without feeling even more weighed down. But it still satisfies that something-sweet craving.
And lucky for you, we have several different recipes for pavlova that will suit any preference. Here are a few of them.
Orange, Cranberry, and Mint Pavlova with Whipped Cream (left) and Individual Strawberry, Lime, and Basil Pavlovas with Whipped Cream (right).
- Orange, Cranberry, and Mint Pavlova with Whipped Cream. This recipe resembles the classic Australian dessert most closely. It offers a crisp yet marshmallowy French meringue with lashings of cream and an array of citrusy, herby toppings that is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Individual Strawberry, Lime, and Basil Pavlovas with Whipped Cream. These adorable mini pavlovas are not only completely delicious but also feature a balance of flavors and textures for a truly exciting end to your Thanksgiving meal. You can even make a few different toppings and have people create their own to their liking.
Chocolate Pavlova with Berries and Whipped Cream (left) and Brown Sugar Pavlova with Stone Fruit (right).
- Chocolate Pavlova with Berries and Whipped Cream. Okay, I know I was having a go at chocolate desserts earlier, but this recipe is definitely an exception; all the decadence of chocolaty flavors with none of the density that can often result. The classic combination of chocolate, cream, and berries sings in this delectable dessert.
- Brown Sugar Pavlova with Stone Fruit. Finally, this deeply rich and caramelly take on the classic pavlova transforms it into a decadent dessert with all the lightness of other forms, and it only takes one ingredient switch: brown sugar. With the addition of syrupy stone fruit, this is one pavlova recipe not to miss.