Pavlova

This is one of my family's favorite dessert recipes. It tastes as good as it looks.

Pavlova
3 egg whites
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons water
3 teaspoons corn starch
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line a cookie sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Make sure you use parchment paper. Oil will destroy the Pavlova.

In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in water, then mix in cornstarch, vanilla, vinegar, and salt.

Spoon meringue mixture into a circle on the parchment lined baking sheet. Form it into a nest with the edges about 1 1/2 inches high. It will bake into the exact shape you form it into - so make it pretty. I forgot to take a picture of the completed circle until after I baked it. Sorry.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Turn oven off and leave Pavlova in the oven until cold. Place on a serving plate.

Topping
You can top it with pudding, or whipped cream, or anything you like. I top it with:

A combination of:

8 ounces of extra creamy Cool Whip

8 ounces of vanilla yogurt

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

Stir together:

Spread over Pavlova and decorate with fresh fruit.

Cut into slices and enjoy. The Pavlova melts in your mouth. My husband says it reminds him of cotton candy - only better.