Apple & blackberry brown sugar pavlova

This wonderfully decadent dessert is perfect to serve at a large family gathering. New Zealand is home to the Pavlova and offers both Pink Lady apples and juicy blackberries, a perfect combination that will become a firm favourite whenever the occasion arises.

• Preparation: 30 mins
• Cooking: 60 mins
• Serves: 8

What you need:

For the meringue:

• 4 free range egg whites
• 125g light brown muscovado sugar
• 125g caster sugar
• 1 tsp cornflour
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar

For the topping:

• 150ml red wine
• 1 orange, zest and juice
• 25g light brown muscovado sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 Pink Lady apple, cored and sliced
• 150g blackberries
• 300ml double cream

What you do:

1. Pre heat oven 150CËš/140CËš fan/gas 1. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment, draw a 20cm circle using a dinner plate.
2. Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl and whisk until standing in soft peaks, gradually add both the sugars followed by the cornflour and vinegar.
3. Place in the middle of the circle and spread out making a little dip in the middle. Cook for 1 hour then turn the oven off and leave to cool in the oven.
4. Whilst the meringue is cooking make the fruit topping as this needs to cool before assembling.
5. Place the red wine, orange juice and zest, sugar and cinnamon stick into a saucepan, bring to the boil allow to bubble away for a few minutes.
6. Reduce the heat and add the Pink Lady apples. Cover and allow to poach gently until soft but still with a little bite, approximately 15 minutes, add the blackberries and take off the heat. Cover the pan and leave to cool.
7. When ready to assemble whip the cream until standing in soft peaks. Carefully place the Pavlova on a serving plate, don't worry if it cracks a little, spoon the cream into the centre of the meringue. Drain and pat dry the fruit, reserving the liquid and arrange over the Pavlova.
8. Boil the reserved juices until reduced and syrupy, allow to cool then spoon over the Pavlova.

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