Pavlova Cupcakes
Friday, April 23, 2010 at 10:58AM 
lychee, raspberry & rose syrup pavlova cupcake
Not much in the way of dessert making on MasterChef as yet, but there was a pavlova courtesy of guest judge Donna Hay. Sooo, to mark the return of MasterChef I thought I'd make mini pavlova's for cupcake toppers.
Ingredients
12 baked cupcakes in flavour of choice (I used vanilla buttermilk cupcakes)
3 egg whites (room temperature)
165g (3/4 cup) caster sugar (superfine)
2 tsps cornflour (cornstarch)
1/2 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp pure vanilla essence/extract
Decoration Ingredients
300ml (0.63 pint) of cream, whipped. Flavour the cream with liqueur if desired
Topping can be anything you like, I used lychees, raspberries & a drizzle of rose syrup.
Other topping suggestions are; passionfruit & flaked white chocolate, strawberries & kiwi fruit, dark chocolate curls and hazelnuts, crushed peppermint candy, milk chocolate & peppermint liqueur cream, mango/paw paw/banana and coconut, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries & red currants, peaches with raspberry puree drizzle, chocolate dipped strawberries, orange and chocolate, fresh or preserved stone fruits.
Method
Preheat oven to 120c/250F (100c/210 fan forced)
Line a cookie sheet with baking paper, trace 12 6.5cm (2.5in) circles onto the paper & reverse the paper on the tray so the ink won't touch the food.
In an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating until sugar is fully dissolved between additions... this will take a few minutes.
It should be looking like this now...glossy and shiny meringue
Fold in the cornflour, vinegar & vanilla.
Divide the meringue between the circles drawn on your baking paper.
Bake for 45 minutes or until cases are firm.
Cool totally in oven with the door slightly ajar; use the handle of wooden spoon to keep the door ajar.
Pavlova's will have a white thin crispy shell and soft marshmallow interior
Just before serving spread a little cream or frosting on the centre of the cupcakes to attach the pavlova. Place pavlovas on the cakes and topping with cream and desired topping.
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