There are few who can resist a Pavlova. The soft, marshmallowy interior encased by crispy shell, topped with lashings of luscious cream and adorned with prized, seasonal fruits. While the origin of this iconic dessert is known to spark fierce debate (is it Australian or New Zealand?), over the generations Pavlova has earned its rightful place as one of Australia’s most loved treats. There’s no better way to celebrate Australia Day than paying homage to one of our nation’s favourite desserts. Below are 4 simple and tasty topping ideas* that are sure to be loved by all.
Nothing beats a classic combination.
Classic
Nothing beats a classic combination. While views on what constitutes a ‘classic’ vary from person to person, anything that involves mixing a variety of seasonal summer fruits is a winner. Our favourite combination consists of strawberries, blueberries and passionfruit.
Cherry and Chocolate
Take advantage of the bounty of cherries in season and place them atop the cream. Drizzle over pre-bought or homemade cherry compote and melted dark chocolate. Give it a professional finish by sprinkling shavings of white chocolate over the top.
Peach and Almond
This is an easy yet oh-so-sophisticated way to hero in-season peaches. Simply pit and slice some fresh, rosy peaches and macerate the fruit slices in sugar. Place them on top of the cream and scatter over shaved toasted almonds. Garnish with a light dusting of icing sugar.
Lemon and Blueberry
Add a little zing to balance the sweet! Loosen bought or homemade lemon curd in a bowl by beating it with a spoon. Add some lemon zest and juice if it’s a little too sweet. Spread the curd onto the top of the meringue shell. Then, spoon the cream on top of the curd. Garnish with fresh blueberries and shaved toasted almonds.
* Topping sizes and quantities vary based on the size of your pavlova.
Love these topping ideas? Browse the IGA marketplace to gather all the ingredients you need to make a delicious pavlova.