I like a challenge.
Yesterday’s family gathering was in Chester, nearly 2 hours away, but I decided I wanted to make a towering fruity pavlova which had the potential to be a transportation nightmare.
Luckily due to a last-minute change of filling from my planned ‘fruit fool’ to the firmer ‘Honey Yoghurt Cheese’ and an underpinning foundation of sponge cake, it arrived reasonably intact.
It was lovely to get together with over 20 members of Ed’s extended family, some of whom had travelled from Africa and Wales for the visit.
Whilst we caught up with the family Ernie enjoyed investigating every inch of the garden…and some of the neighbours gardens…and also the park when we all went off for an afternoon on the spinny things and climbing frames.
The various ‘boys’ all enjoyed prolonged sessions in Uncle Brian’s ‘train shed’.
We finally regrouped sleeping toddlers and errant hounds for a group photo at the end of the day.
Thanks to Uncle Brian and Aunty Caryl for being excellent hosts for the family day and making us all endless cups of tea.
If you like the look of the marshmallow pavlova cake the recipe is below.
Marshmallow Meringue Layers (based on Nigella’s forgotten pudding)
- 6 egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 250g caster sugar
Heat the oven to 200-220 degrees C, whisk the egg whites into peaks then gradually add the rest of the ingredients.
Transfer the white clouds of meringue into two small greased, lined baking trays approx 28 x 18cm and put them into the oven. Immediately turn the oven off and leave them in there overnight…no peeking until morning!
Next day gently flip them over and peel off the paper. They should be soft and marshmallowish with a slightly crisp top.
Sponge Cake Layer
This was just a basic 3 egg Victoria Sponge but baked in a rectangular brownie tin.
Honey Yoghurt Cheese Cake layers
For this layer I made a batch of Honey Yoghurt Cheese: Click here for the recipe and I stirred it into equal parts of whipped cream.
Assembly
I started with the layer of sponge and spread it with damson jam, then a layer of honey yogurt and a marshmallow layer sat on top. Next was another layer of honey yoghurt studded with blackberries and raspberries then I topped it all with the most golden of the two meringue layers and a spoonful of the creamy yoghurt and some extra fruit.
glitzgirlzglamourguide
August 5, 2012
this looks light & tasty!
http://www.glitzgirlzglamourguide.com
sara
August 5, 2012
Lovely! This dessert looks so elegant and delicious, yum! 🙂
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
Thanks Sara!
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
August 5, 2012
Beautiful!
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
It’s not ‘quite’ as pretty as I wanted it to be, the raspberry fool would have been a good contrast, but it was eaten up in seconds!
Grandma Wendy
August 5, 2012
I can confirm that the pavlova was absolutely delicious and a good day was had by all the participants.
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
Thanks Grandma Wendy!
Liz
August 5, 2012
Wow!! Can’t wait to try this! 🙂
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
It would be lovely without the cake…if you are not having to transport it 🙂
Author
August 5, 2012
Reblogged this on Hits And Misses.
Amber
August 5, 2012
What a lovely cake (looks like you had a fantastic day as well)! I especially love all of the fresh fruit that tops the cake!
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
The fruit on top was an afterthought, but it’s pretty aint it?
Amber
August 6, 2012
Very pretty! And I just love fresh fruit with any dessert!
chefconnie
August 6, 2012
Your pictures get better with every post. I love the fact that you shared your wonderful family gathering and that pavlova is art!
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
Ah, thanks Connie. This is the first post with my new camera, which helps with the quality of the photos.
Sally
August 6, 2012
Did Ernie like the honey yoghurt cheese too?! I love family gatherings like this one – and a magnificent towering meringue thing is just what’s required.
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
Do you know…I forgot to even let Ern try a bit, he got lots of little hand outs though…in fact he stole some bread from someone’s grasp. *naughty dog*
thelittleloaf
August 6, 2012
Gorgeous. Very impressed that you managed to transport it too! 🙂
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
Me too!
lemonylovesbaking
August 6, 2012
Cripes! that looks fantastic. Not sure I would be brave enough to have a towering pavlova on my lap during a 2hr car ride!
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
I have to admit, I held it on my lap as I knew it would end up as a big smoosh if I put it in the boot. My cake cornering skills are coming on though.
egg me on
August 6, 2012
Looks like a really fun family gathering! You’re a very photogenic group. The pavlova looks impressive too. I’ve also been interested in making one myself, but I’m not so good with meringue. But maybe you’ve inspired me!
thingswemake.co.uk
August 6, 2012
I am a bit hit and miss with meringue, it often cracks up on me, which is not a major problem, but not good for travelling, hence this marshmallow version which is much softer. It was a lovely day.
Kavey
August 6, 2012
That photo of the two boys is beautiful but oh oh oh the gorgeous copper hair of the younger is a sight to behold. #lovesgingersandisproudofit
thingswemake.co.uk
August 7, 2012
I wish I’d squished up closer to the glass, as you can see a reflection of me and my camera! They looked so cute playing trains.
IshitaUnblogged
August 7, 2012
Am visiting your blog after a long time… realised once again how beautiful your site is – the very reason I had ended up selecting the Inuit theme when I started my own blog! Beautiful post – am feeling nostalgic as I see Ed’s extended family portrait. Plus love Uncle Brian’s train shed… your fruity Pavlova may not be upto your expectation but it surely does look absolutely gorgeous!
thingswemake.co.uk
August 7, 2012
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Ishita.
foodieroom
August 8, 2012
It looks just awesome , good clicks!!! and happy family 🙂
cht7
August 11, 2012
How beautiful! Looks so professional. Your photos are amazing.
Valynn
August 12, 2012
Beautiful and looks really delicious!
Bee
August 12, 2012
Looks soo delicious! I love pavlova 🙂
And beautiful family photos 😉
Sam Ana
August 12, 2012
Wow this looks so delicious!
Le ricette dell'amore vero di Claudia Annie
August 17, 2012
congratulations, you have a wonderful blog! I will follow you now! kisses!
invisiblenhox
December 16, 2012
The cake is amazing !! so yummy