Chocolate Pavlova with Mascarpone Cream & Raspberries
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A dream of a dessert, this chocolate pavlova features a fudgy, marshmallowy center encased in a crisp shell, all topped with rich whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
The pavlova, named after the renowned ballet dancer Anna Pavlova during her 1920s tour of Australia and New Zealand, is pure dessert magic. It features a meringue that’s crisp on the outside with a marshmallow-soft inside, usually topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. This rich chocolate pavlova, inspired by Nigella Lawson, mixes cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate into the meringue for a decadently fudgy base. To make it even more luxurious, I whip a little mascarpone into the cream. It’s perfect for Passover, or anytime you need a light, gluten-free dessert that’s sure to impress. I can’t wait for you to try it!
“People go WILD over this pavlova, and honestly it’s easier to make than most desserts. It truly is a showstopper. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.”
What You’ll Need To Make Chocolate Pavlova
Step-by-Step Instructions
The nice thing about pavlovas is that even though they look fancy, they are incredibly easy to make. To begin, add the egg whites to the bowl an electric mixer.
Beat until foamy and then gradually add the sugar.
Continue beating until the meringue is glossy and stiff (when you slowly lift the whisk out of the mixture, it will hold stiff peaks). Be patient; this takes 8 to 9 minutes.
Next, sift in the cocoa powder and add the chopped chocolate and vinegar.
Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture together until no streaks of cocoa powder remain.
Mound the meringue onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into a 9-inch “cake.”
Place in the oven and cook for 65 to 75 minutes, or until the meringue is puffed and crisp all over, yet still a bit wobbly underneath if you touch the center. Don’t worry if the top is cracked (or if it collapses while it cools) — this is normal and it all gets covered with whipped cream in the end.
When the meringue is cool, make the topping. In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, and vanilla. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until it holds soft, pillowy peaks.
Mound the mascarpone cream onto the meringue and gently spread it out about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the edge (don’t worry if the meringue cracks in the process).
Top the pavlova with the raspberries and sprinkle the shaved chocolate over top.
Cut the pavlova into wedges, wiping the knife in between slices, and serve.
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Chocolate Pavlova with Mascarpone Cream & Raspberries
A dream of a dessert, this chocolate pavlova features a fudgy, marshmallowy center encased in a crisp shell, all topped with rich whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
Ingredients
For the Pavlova
- 6 large egg whites
- Pinch salt
- 1¾ cups superfine sugar (see note)
- 3 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hershey's
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
For the Marscapone Cream
- 8 ounces (1 cup) mascarpone cheese, cold
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream, cold
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1½ cups fresh raspberries
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, grated or shaved into curls (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a dark marker, draw a 9-inch diameter circle on the parchment paper by tracing around a 9-inch cake pan or plate. Flip the paper over so your meringue won't touch the marker.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt on medium speed until foamy soft peaks form, about a minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and gradually add the sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form, 8-9 minutes. (The meringue will be glossy.)
- Pass the cocoa powder through a sieve or sifter and add to the meringue. Add the vinegar and chopped chocolate. Using a large rubber spatula, fold the mixture until well combined. It should be a light mocha color with no white or brown streaks.
- Secure the parchment paper to the baking sheet by adding a dab of meringue under each corner. Mound the meringue onto the parchment inside the circle. Using the spatula or a butter knife, spread the meringue to fill the circle. Even the top and sides just slightly -- it shouldn’t be perfectly smooth or overworked. Place in the oven and cook for 65 to 75 minutes, or until the meringue is puffed and crisp all over, yet still a bit wobbly underneath if you touch the center. Don't worry if the top is cracked -- that's normal and it all gets covered with whipped cream in the end. Turn off the oven, prop the oven door open, and leave the meringue in the oven to cool to room temperature, at least 30 minutes. (The meringue won’t collapse as much if it cools gradually.)
- Before serving, carefully peel the meringue off of the parchment paper and place it on a serving platter. In a medium bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, and vanilla on medium speed until just combined. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until it holds soft, pillowy peaks. Do not overbeat; it should not be too stiff or grainy. Mound the mascarpone cream onto the meringue and gently spread it out about 1 inch from the edge (don't worry if the meringue cracks in the process). Top the pavlova with the raspberries and sprinkle the shaved chocolate over top. Cut the pavlova into wedges, wiping the knife in between slices, and serve.
- Note: If you don't have superfine sugar, place regular granulated sugar in a food processor and pulse until fine, about 30 seconds.
- Note: This pavlova can be made ahead and assembled up to 12 hours ahead of time. Keep in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (10 servings)
- Calories: 429
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Sugar: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Sodium: 136 mg
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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I have made this several times, always a pleaser! Made it for guests at a dinner party almost a year ago and they still keep talking about it and asking me to make it again. The merengue is crispy on the outside and soft-ish on the inside, perfect! The mascarpone cream is delicious. I usually serve the raspberries on the side.
Can the meringue be made in advanced? If so, how long will it keep & how should it be stored?
Thanks
Hi Elayne, It’s fine to make it a day ahead of time. You can store it uncovered in the fridge.
How far in advance can the pavlova be made?
Hi Linda, I would say it’s perfectly fine to make it one day ahead of time. It may keep longer, but it will be at its best fresh.
I fixed this last Thanksgiving to accommodate a gluten-free relative, and it was the hit of the holiday – had to fix it again for Christmas! I followed other review suggestions and used about 1/4 c. less sugar than called for. This is a beautiful dessert and really easy to make – it’s a keeper!
I made this for Christmas and it was a hit. Family members thought that it was a store bought dessert. If I make it again, I will omit the chopped chocolate from the the batter, as it didn’t melt, and I didn’t like biting into the pieces. Other than that, it’s delicious, being that, I was skeptical due to the fact that I hate meringue.
Jen-Thank you for sharing your recipes. I have used more recipes from your blog than any other blog or cookbook…ever. They are all wonderful and believe me, my family has high standards! I’ve made this Pavlola twice and both times people flipped for it. It’s a wonderful recipe for a celebration.
I made this for Thanksgiving dessert. I was a big hit. The recipe was easy to follow and came out perfectly. We are fans of Pavlova and loved this variation.
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit…will definitely make it again!
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Could this be made with the egg whites you buy in a carton or does it need to be from an actual cracked egg that I separate myself? Thanks.
Hi James, Great question. To be honest, I’ve never baked with egg whites from a carton but from what I’ve read, it will work. However, you will get much lighter and more delicate meringues from fresh eggs. I’d probably stick with fresh since the texture of this meringue is what makes it so wonderful.
A bit late, but it says on the carton the egg whites can not be substituted for fresh eggs when beating.
Good for me (and other readers) to be aware. Thanks for letting me know!
It’s now been proved that the first recipe for what we know as Pavlova was sent to an Australian magazine from New Zealand.
It was known and baked in New Zealand before being named as ‘Pavlova’ in Australia, after, as you have said, the tour of the famous Anna Pavlova.
‘Pavlova’, the beautiful meringue cake, comes from New Zealand, not Australia, although made and loved in both countries.