Mini Pavlova Nests
Mini Pavlova Nests! Crisp meringue nests are perfect for filling with a variety of luscious centers. These beautiful, individual pavlovas make a gorgeous holiday dessert.
Servings: 18 servings
Equipment
- Piping Bag
- open star tip
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup sugar divided
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes lightly toasted
For Coconut Custard filling:
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup whole milk
- 7 ounces coconut milk
- 2 egg yolks
Instructions
For Meringue Nests
- Preheat oven to 200°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Whisk for about 1-2 minutes until it starts to become frothy, then gradually stream in ⅔ cup sugar. Continue to whisk until the mixture becomes shiny and thick, about 2-3 more minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract; beat well.
- Stop the mixer and remove the whisk attachment. Dip it into the meringue and pull it out straight up, then turn it over so the meringue forms a "peak". If it holds its shape {"stiff peaks"}, its ready. If not, continue to whisk and test every so often until it does.
- Sprinkle in the remaining ⅓ cup of sugar, and carefully fold it in to the meringue as not to deflate all the fantastic whisking you've done.
- Fit a piping bag with an open star tip. Fill the bag with meringue. Pipe about 2 inch swirls {like you are frosting a cupcake, except flat} as the "floor" of your cup, then pipe a "wall" on top of the base. This cup will help hold the custard filling later on.
- Sprinkle the meringues with toasted coconut flakes, if desired. Bake the meringues for 2 hours. They should be dry and crisp, but check to make sure they are not browning. For truly crisp & set meringues, turn off the oven and allow them to sit for 3 to 4 more hours, undisturbed {or even overnight}.*
- NOTE: If all this talk of piping bags and star tips intimidates you, skip it! You can scoop a dollop of meringue onto the parchment or silicone and make a "well" in the center using a spoon. This will make for a more rustic presentation, but it will still work just as well & be just as delicious! Never pass up a recipe just because it might not turn out looking perfect.
For Custard
- Set a small heatproof bowl and a fine mesh sieve nearby.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch and salt.
- Slowly add milk, whisking continually, until the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the coconut milk, egg yolks, and coconut extract.
- Over medium heat, whisk the mixture constantly until it begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. (Note: This will happen VERY suddenly. Don't step away for even a second! It will go from pretty liquidy to a thick pudding-like texture quickly. Just keep whisking.)
- Once the mixture is thickened, remove it from the heat and continue to whisk, whisk, whisk until smooth. Reduce the heat to low, and whisk over low heat for about a minute. (Have I said "whisk" enough times yet?)
- Remove from heat and scrape into the mesh sieve, set over the heatproof bowl. Using the whisk or a spatula, press the custard through the sieve to ensure that there are no lumps. You should have a gorgeously silky custard.
- Cover the custard with plastic wrap, with the plastic wrap directly touching the top of the custard so it does not form a skin. Refrigerate until cool.
- The custard will have solidified a bit if it's fully cooled. Whisk it vigorously to make it as smooth as possible. Fill each meringue nest with about a tablespoon of custard. (Using a zip top plastic bag with a snipped corner makes for easy filling.) You will have leftover custard to enjoy as you please.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired.
Notes
*A little coconut extract goes a long way in my opinion, so don't overdo it.
Meringue recipe adapted from Food Network
Coconut Custard recipe adapted from Martha Stewart.