Pear Almond Pavlova Trifle Recipes

PEAR & ALMOND PAVLOVA TRIFLE

Steps:

• Toss the pears with 4 tbsp sherry in a bowl, then cover and leave to steep while you make the meringues.
• Heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. To make the meringues, put the egg whites in a very clean bowl and beat with an electric whisk on medium speed for 3-4 mins until white, foamy and doubled in size. Alternatively, use a stand mixer. Increase the speed and add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, whisking each addition until completely incorporated before adding another. When all the sugar has been added, beat the mixture for a further 2-3 mins until it's glossy, shiny and holds stiff peaks on the beaters. Whisk in the vanilla until incorporated.
• Spoon six dollops of meringue onto the prepared baking sheet using a large metal spoon, leaving plenty of space between each. Bake for 1 hr 30 mins, then turn off the oven, leave the door slightly ajar and leave the meringues inside to cool to room temperature, about 1-2 hrs (see tip).
• Meanwhile, arrange the cake pieces in a large trifle bowl, or divide between eight dessert glasses. Top with the pears, reserving eight slices to decorate, and drizzle over any juices from the bowl. Pour the remaining sherry over the cake and fruit, then chill until ready to assemble.
• To serve, whip the cream with the icing sugar using an electric whisk to soft peaks. Crumble four of the meringues and gently fold into the whipped cream, then spoon the mixture over the trifle.
• Crumble over the remaining meringues and scatter with the amaretti biscuits and toasted almonds. Top with the reserved pear slices, then serve straightaway or chill until ready to serve - the meringue pieces will start to dissolve and lose their crunch over time, but the trifle will still be delicious for up to 3 hrs.

ROASTED PEAR AND AMARETTO TRIFLE

Steps:

• For pastry cream:
• Combine cream and milk in medium saucepan; bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Whisk sugar, egg yolks, flour, amaretto, vanilla, and salt in large bowl until smooth (mixture will be thick and pasty). Gradually whisk hot cream mixture into yolk mixture. Return mixture to saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until pastry cream boils, thickens and is smooth, about 6 minutes. Transfer pastry cream to bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of pastry cream; refrigerate overnight.
• For pears:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Toss pear halves, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice in large bowl. Place pears, cut side down, on heavy large rimmed baking sheet; pour sugar mixture from bowl over pears. Roast pears until tender and golden brown in spots, turning occasionally, about 40 minutes. Cool. Cut pears into 1/2-inch pieces; place in bowl along with any juices from baking sheet. (Pears can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Arrange 13 to 14 ladyfingers in bottom of 8-inch-diameter, 3-quart trifle bowl, trimming to fit tightly. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crushed amaretti cookies over. Dot with 1/4 cup fruit spread. Top with 1 cup roasted pears. Drizzle 1 tablespoon brandy and 1 tablespoon amaretto over. Spread 1 cup pastry cream over. Repeat layering 2 more times with ladyfingers, amaretti cookies, fruit spread, pears, brandy, amaretto, and pastry cream. Top with 13 to 14 ladyfingers; sprinkle with remaining brandy and amaretto. Spread remaining pastry cream over top. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours.
• Beat cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in large bowl until peaks form. Spread 1 1/2 cups whipped cream over top of trifle. Spoon remaining whipped cream into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe whipped-cream rosettes around top of trifle. Garnish with sliced almonds and mint sprigs, if desired. Refrigerate up to 6 hours.
• Amaretti cookies are available at Italian markets and some supermarkets.

PEAR & MAPLE CREAM PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trace a 9-in. circle on the parchment paper; invert paper., Preheat oven to 275°. Add cream of tartar to egg whites; beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold in pecans., Spread meringue over circle, shaping a shallow well in center using the back of a spoon. Bake 45-50 minutes or until set and dry. Turn off oven (do not open oven door); leave meringue in oven 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat cream until bubbles form around sides of pan. In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup maple syrup, egg, egg yolk, brown sugar and cornstarch until blended but not foamy. Slowly whisk in hot cream. Return all to pan; cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and a thermometer reads 170°. Immediately transfer to a clean bowl. Cool 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press plastic wrap onto surface of filling; refrigerate until cold., Remove meringue from oven; cool completely on baking sheet. Preheat broiler. Thinly slice wide end of each pear, leaving stem end attached. Blot dry. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet; spread slices to fan. Brush pears with remaining maple syrup. Broil 3-4 in. from heat 7-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely., To serve, remove meringue from paper; place on a serving plate. Fill with maple cream. Arrange cooled pears over top. Refrigerate leftovers.

PEAR PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Poach pears: Combine wine, the water, sugar, peppercorns, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, and stir until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
• Carefully peel pears, leaving stems intact. Place in pan; cover, and cook, rotating occasionally, until bases of pears are easily pierced with a paring knife, 20 to 25 minutes, depending on ripeness of fruit. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath.
• Using a large slotted spoon, carefully transfer pears to a large metal bowl set in the ice bath. Pour poaching liquid through a fine sieve into bowl with pears; let cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight to let pears absorb the poaching liquid.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees with rack in center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using an overturned bowl or cake pan as a guide, trace an 8-inch circle on the parchment; turn parchment over, marked side down.
• Make meringue base: Place egg whites, salt, and light-brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed until well combined and no lumps of sugar remain. Increase speed to medium; beat until soft peaks form, about 9 minutes. With mixer running, gradually add superfine sugar. Continue beating until peaks are stiff and glossy, about 2 minutes more. Beat in vinegar and vanilla.
• Using a rubber spatula, spread the meringue into marked 8-inch circle on prepared baking sheet; form peaks around the edge and a well in the center.
• Bake meringue until crisp around the edge and just set in the center, about 1 1/4 hours. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack until meringue is cool enough to handle. Carefully peel off parchment; let meringue cool completely on rack.
• Make topping: In a small bowl, whip heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until ready to use.
• Slice pears in half lengthwise; remove seeds and stems with a spoon or melon baller, and discard. Cut pears into 3/4-inch pieces, and place in a bowl; cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.
• Bring 3 cups poaching liquid to a boil in a medium saucepan; reduce heat, and simmer until syrupy and reduced to about 1 cup, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare another ice bath. Pour syrup into a clean bowl set in the ice bath; stir frequently until cool and thickened.
• To assemble, carefully place meringue on serving platter. Spoon whipped cream on top, and then add pears. Serve, sliced into wedges and drizzled with syrup.

ALMOND CAKE CANNOLI TRIFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®).
• Combine cake mix, water, eggs, pudding mix, and almond extract in a bowl. Blend on low with an electric mixer until moistened. Increase speed to medium and blend about 2 minutes more. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 25 minutes; transfer cake to cooling rack.
• Combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, white sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Whip cannoli cream until smooth using an electric mixer.
• Beat heavy cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until foamy. Add 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract at a time to achieve desired sweetness, continuing to beat until cream is stiff.
• Transfer cooled cake to a cutting board and cut into small, bite-size pieces. Arrange 1 layer of cake pieces to cover the bottom of a trifle bowl. Top with a layer of chocolate chips and the cannoli cream. Continue with layers until bowl is nearly full; top with the whipped cream and chocolate chips.

PEAR AND CARAMEL TRIFLES

Steps:

• Make pears:
• Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into large saucepan; add bean. Add 6 cups water, sugar and lemon peel. Stir over medium heat until mixture comes to simmer. Add pears; simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Cool pears in syrup.
• Make caramel:
• Stir 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until sugar turns deep amber, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup warm cream (mixture will bubble up). Return to very low heat; stir until smooth. Chill sauce uncovered until cold, about 1 hour.
• Beat chilled cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in large bowl until firm peaks form. Fold 1/2 cup cold caramel sauce into cream; cover and chill remaining sauce.
• Drain pears and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Press 1 piece of cake into each of six 12- to 14-ounce goblets. Top each with 5 pear slices, 2 teaspoons reserved caramel sauce and 1/4 cup caramel cream. Repeat layering with cake, pears, caramel sauce and caramel cream. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Drizzle remaining caramel sauce over trifles. Sprinkle with nuts and serve.