Pavlova Layer Cake with Whipped Cream and Raspberries

by Andrea Tremblay-Legendre

My little sister's birthday is coming up and I wanted to bake something different for her this year! The pavlova layer cake is a great option when you don't feel like eating a very sweet cake! The pavlova is a light dessert, not too sweet and you can decorate it with any fruit you like!

Yields 3 small 5" cakes

Pavlova cake
6 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 tsp cream tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup sugar
Raspberry curd
3 tbsp butter
6 ounces raspberry (frozen or fresh)
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
Whipped cream
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 200F. To make the pavlova cake layers, place the egg whites in a big bowl and beat with an electric mixer at high speed.
2. Once it starts to look like foam, add the salt and cream tartar.
3. Once it forms soft peaks, add the vanilla extract and the sugar gradually.
4. The pavlova mixture is ready once it forms stiff peaks. Prepare baking sheets with parchemin paper.
5. Place the mixture in a piping bag with a round tip and pipe 9 circles (5 inches diameter) to create the cake layers.  
6. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let cool down completely in the oven with the oven door slightly opened. *The baking time may vary depending on your oven.
7. To make the raspberry curd, melt the butter in a saucepan. Incorporate the raspberries, egg yolks, sugar and lemon juice while mixing with a whisk.
8. Cook on medium heat for 5-10 minutes. The mixture has to simmer but not boil.
9. Pass the mixture through a sieve to get rid of all the seeds. Place the mixture in a small bowl and press plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a crust from forming. Let cool down in the fridge.
10. To make the whipped cream, beat the heavy cream at high speed with an electric mixer. Incorporate the sugar once the cream starts to form soft peaks.
11. To assemble the cake, place one pavlova at the bottom, spread whipped cream and raspberry curd on it. Repeat this step with the second layer. Place the top pavlova layer, spread whipped cream on it, drizzle some raspberry curd and decorate with raspberries or any fruits of your choice.