Chocolate Pavlova

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 6 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 cups strawberries, hulled
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, melted

Recipe

• 1 line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or greased and floured foil. using 8-inch cake pan as guide, draw circle on paper; turn paper over.
• 2 in bowl, beat together egg whites, salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. beat in sugar, about 3 tablespoons at a time, until stiff and glossy peaks form. sift cocoa and cornstarch over top; gently fold together. gently fold in vinegar, vanilla, then chocolate.
• 3 mound onto circle on prepared baking sheet. bake in center of 275°f oven for 1 1/2 hours or until crispy outside but still soft in center. slice long metal spatula under meringue to loosen; transfer to rack and let cool completely. place on serving platter.
• 4 topping: slice or halve strawberries. in bowl, whip cream with sugar; spread over meringue. arrange strawberries decoratively over top. drizzle chocolate over berries. makes 6 to 8 servings.
• 5 tips: eggs separate better when cold but beat up to a higher volume when at room temperature.
• 6 if you have no bittersweet chocolate on hand to drizzle over the berries, just sieve some unsweetened cocoa powder over top for a dazzling effect.
• 7 canadian living's best chocolate.