Banana Split Pavlova Recipes

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 225 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw a 9-inch circle on the paper, then flip it over so the drawing is on the underside.
• For the meringue, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in the very clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until thick and opaque, about 1 minute more. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and beat until stiff shiny peaks form, about 5 minutes more.
• Spread the meringue on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to stay within the drawn 9-inch circle. Create some shallow dips and swoops (this will hold the whipped cream and berries). Bake until the meringue is dry and crisp on the outside, about 2 hours. Turn off the heat and let the pavlova sit in the warm oven to dry out more, about 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. (The meringue can be made up to several hours in advance.)
• Meanwhile, make the whipped cream by whisking together the heavy cream and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Toss the berries and raspberry jam in a medium bowl until evenly coated and glossy. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• To serve, dollop the whipped cream on top of the meringue and spread into an even layer. Pile the macerated berries on top (drizzle any berry juice on top as well). Slice into wedges and serve immediately.

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a clean, dry bowl until foamy. Add the granulated sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla and continue whipping until stiff, smooth and glossy, about 8 minutes more. On a sheet of parchment paper cut to fit a sheet pan, use a pencil to draw or trace a circle 9-inches in diameter. Line the sheet pan with the parchment, pencil side down (you should still be able to see the circle). Spoon the egg whites into the circle, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top and sides of the disk. Bake in the center of the oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake until the meringue has puffed up and cracked on the top and the surface is lightly browned to the color of cafe au lait, about 45 minutes more. Turn off the oven, prop the oven door open, and let the pavlova cool in the oven at least 30 minutes, to room temperature. This ensures a gradual cooling, which protects the delicate meringue.
• Whip the cream and brown sugar together until stiff. Spoon it in the center of the cooled pavlova and spread out to within 1/2-inch of the edge. Arrange the slices of kiwi around the edge. Arrange the slices of strawberry in the middle. To serve, slice into wedges with a serrated knife.

CANDY CANE PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Prepare the ice cream: Let the ice cream soften slightly at room temperature, 5 minutes. Transfer to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until creamy but not melted, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and the crushed candy canes and beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a small metal baking dish or loaf pan, cover and freeze until firm, 1 to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a bowl or cake pan as a guide, trace an 8-inch circle onto the parchment with a pencil, then flip the parchment over (the circle should still be visible); set aside.
• Make the meringue: Fill a medium saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; remove from the heat. Combine the egg whites, sugar and salt in a large heatproof bowl and set over the hot water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Whisk until the egg whites are foamy and hot, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium speed until stiff and shiny, about 10 minutes. Beat in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract until combined.
• Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe in a tight spiral onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, starting in the middle of the circle and working toward the outer edge. Pipe more meringue around the outer edge of the circle to build up the side about 2 inches high. Dip a small paintbrush or toothpick in the food coloring, then drag it around the meringue spiral to create streaks. Repeat several times.
• Bake until the meringue is just firm but not brown, about 1 hour. (If it starts browning, reduce the oven temperature to 275 degrees F.) Transfer to a rack and let cool completely. (The meringue will continue to harden as it cools.) Carefully invert the meringue onto a platter and gently peel off the parchment. Invert again and set on the platter. Top with scoops of the prepared peppermint ice cream and sprinkle with more crushed candy canes. Freeze until ready to serve, up to 2 days.

CARAMELIZED BANANA SPLIT

Steps:

• Cut bananas in half lengthwise and then in half again crosswise. Pour sugar onto a small plate. Dip the cut sides of the bananas in the sugar, and caramelize under the broiler or with a blowtorch.
• Place a scoop of each flavor of ice cream in a martini glass. Place 2 pieces of caramelized bananas at the back of the glass like rabbit ears. Drizzle with chocolate sauce, then spoonfuls of marshmallow sauce and pineapple sauce, then sprinkle with chopped nuts. Garnish with a big sprig of mint.

BANANA SPLIT PIE

Steps:

• Drizzle 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce into a 9-inch graham cracker crust. Fill with scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry) and freeze until firm, 1 to 2 hours. Beat 1 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 tablespoons each confectioners' sugar and the syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Top the ice cream with 2 sliced bananas, the whipped cream and more chocolate sauce. Top with walnuts and a cherry.

PERFECT PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Using an 18cm round cake tin or plate as a guide, draw a circle on the parchment, then flip it over. Heat the oven to 130C/110C fan/gas ½.
• Rub the reserved lemon half around the inside of a large bowl or stand mixer, then wipe with kitchen paper to remove any butter or oil. Tip in the egg whites and whisk with an electric whisk or the mixer on a low speed until the whites form small, foamy bubbles, about 1-2 mins. Keep going until the mix looks like shaving foam, then add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, until it's a thick, glossy meringue. Rub some between your fingers - if you can feel any grains of sugar, keep whisking for a few minutes. Add the cornflour, lemon juice and vanilla, and whisk for another 30 seconds.
• Spoon the meringue onto the baking parchment, into the centre of the circle, and spread it out to the edges with a palette knife. Swipe the knife around the edge, then smooth the top. Bake for 15 mins, then turn the oven down to 100C/80C fan/gas ¼ and bake for 1 hr. Turn the oven off and leave the pavlova inside to cool for at least 2 hrs, or overnight.
• When you're ready to serve, carefully invert the pavlova and peel away the parchment. Don't worry if it cracks a little - it will be covered by the toppings. Toppings to tryWatermelon, lime & mint sugar pavlovaBanana, tahini & salted caramel pavlovaCherry, almond & vanilla custard pavlova

BANANA, TAHINI & SALTED CARAMEL PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Using an 18cm round cake tin or plate as a guide, draw a circle on the parchment, then flip it over. Heat the oven to 130C/110C fan/gas ½.
• Rub the reserved lemon half around the inside of a large bowl or stand mixer, then wipe with kitchen paper to remove any butter or oil. Tip in the egg whites and whisk with an electric whisk or the mixer on a low speed until the whites form small, foamy bubbles, about 1-2 mins. Keep going until the mix looks like shaving foam, then add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, until it's a thick, glossy meringue. Rub some between your fingers - if you can feel any grains of sugar, keep whisking for a few minutes. Add the cornflour, lemon juice and vanilla, and whisk for another 30 seconds.
• Spoon the meringue onto the prepared baking parchment, into the centre of the circle, and spread it out to the edges with a palette knife. Swipe the knife around the edge, then smooth the top.
• Bake for 1 hr 15 mins, then turn the oven down to 100C/80C fan/gas ¼ and bake for 1 hr. Turn the oven off and leave the pavlova inside to cool for at least 2 hrs, or overnight.
• When ready to serve, carefully invert the pavlova and peel away the parchment. Don't worry if it cracks a little - it will be covered by the topping.
• To make the topping, whisk the double cream, tahini and icing sugar to soft peaks. Spoon onto the pavlova and top with the sliced bananas, then drizzle over salted caramel and crumble over the sesame snaps. Best served straightaway but leftovers will keep in the fridge for two days.

ALL-AMERICAN BANANA SPLIT

Steps:

• Place banana in a dessert dish; place scoops of ice cream between banana. Top with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.