Pavlova has been on my bucket list for years.
Yes, I have a strange bucket list.
Pavlova is a gorgeous dessert. It’s perfectly light and airy; aptly named after a Russian ballerina. My take on this sweet treat is a healthy Walnut Pavlova with Blueberry Sauce. It’s sugar-free, gluten-free, and naturally high in protein!
I have to confess… a page ripped out of a magazine from when I was in college (12 *cough* years ago *cough cough*) inspired this. It’s a recipe for a gorgeous pavlova piled high with berries.
I’ve looked at it repeatedly, but never braved making pavlova. It’s a simple ingredient list, but something so fluffy-looking seemed intimidating. Having finally taken it on, I’m here to tell you it’s not scary at all!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGewdAxmje9/
Admittedly, the meringue would be 100x easier with a stand mixer. We have no room for such things in our 1906 kitchen, so I used a hand mixer.
Pro-tip: keep your phone nearby and entertain yourself on Instagram during 20 minutes of whisking.
Sweetened naturally with xylitol, my light, airy meringue is packed full of protein filled egg whites. You CAN use cane sugar here too; I’ve done with both ways (see picture above) with equally delicious results.
One caution: if you use xylitol, your meringue will be tan rather than white. The taste is the same. Vegas didn’t notice the difference!
The walnuts were one of my favorite parts of this dessert. They take on a candied quality in the baking process and add a fabulous crunch. Walnuts also contribute to the health-factor, adding plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per ounce!
The coconut whipped cream layer is another healthy fat addition… and yet another thing adding to the yum-factor. Don’t skip the cream. Trust me.
This seemingly decadent summertime dessert is topped with fresh blueberries reduced down to to a light sauce. The blueberries I used were bursting with sweet flavor, so I didn’t need to add much sweetener. If you’re not in the height of berry season, you may want to add more.
So let’s recap – delicious dessert. Full of protein to keep you satisfied. Sugar-free, gluten-free. It’s basically dessert perfection.
Disclosure: I received free samples of California walnuts mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Healthy Walnut Pavlova with Blueberry Sauce [sugar-free, gluten-free]
For the Pavlova:
- 4 egg whites, room temperature
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 1/2 C xylitol, blended (I recommend this one for baking)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 C walnuts, chopped
For the Coconut Whipped Cream:
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 T powdered sugar (I used Swerve)
For the Blueberry Sauce:
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 C water
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tsp xylitol
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 T chia seeds
For the Pavlova:
Allow the egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes (this helps to add volume).
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 250 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a large metal bowl (and I mean large – the egg whites will grow exponentially in size) with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar over medium. This can be done in a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer. Whisk until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes.
Add the xylitol, one tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until the mixture is glossy and stiff and meringue is no longer gritty (15-20 minutes). Scrape down sides as need with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla extract.
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the cornstarch, lemon juice, and walnut pieces.
Spread the meringue in 4 even circles onto parchment paper, creating a small dent in the middle for the berry filling.
Bake for one hour. Turn the oven off and leave the meringues in the oven for another hour to dry out. They should be firm on the outside. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN!
Once cooled, place the meringues on a platter or onto plates. Spoon the blueberry sauce (recipe below) into the centers of each meringue.
*Note: You can use regular sugar or other sweetener as you prefer. I have tried this with cane sugar, xylitol, and a half & half mixture of the two.
For the Coconut Whipped Cream:
This is recipe from Minimalist Baker is easy and delicious. Better yet, it literally takes 5 minutes. My only modification was to only use a tablespoon on powdered sugar.
This can be made in advance and stored in the fridge.
For the Blueberry Sauce:
While the pavlova is in the oven, combine all ingredients in a small pot over medium heat and bring to a boil.
Stir and reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes more. The longer you allow the mix to simmer, the thicker it will be.
You may need to add more sweetener depending on your berries. My summer berries were quite sweet!
Raspberries or strawberries will work just as well as blueberries; it’s just a matter of preference and availability.
[Tweet “Check out this #sugarfree Walnut Pavlova with Blueberry Sauce!”]
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I’ve made this 3 times so far. We have a marvelous new addiction.
Have you ever had pavlova?
What is your favorite warm weather dessert?
Heather McClees says
I’m so in love with this recipe! Coconut, blueberries and walnuts are a great combo! I have to hand it to you, my dear, the fluffy factor about this style of recipe has always intimidated me too, but it looks like you nailed it! California walnuts make any dish better too, they’re so rich and buttery! 🙂
Laura says
Thank you so much! It was a fun dish to make – I’m glad I finally braved it!
Debra says
Wow. I do not think I’ve ever had pavlova let alone make it. Going to a local farm next week to pick blueberries and blackberries so this will be on my bucket list, too.
Laura says
Awesome! I’d love to hear what you think if you try it!
rachel @ athletic avocado says
i love pavlova! Love this walnut and blueberry version!
Emily says
Wowowwoww!!! This is amazing. You are a super creative baker and super patient to whisk for so long.
Lauren says
Pavlovas are on my bucket list too! Literally. These are beautiful 🙂
Laura says
Thank you! You should just go for it – I swear it’s not as hard as it looks!
lindsay Cotter says
well as a wife to a kiwi, I am proud!! you did awesome. My husband make an amazing pavlova and I know he’d love this too. You have my applause!
Laura says
You HUSBAND makes pavlova?! Proof or it didn’t happen.
Aubrey says
Looks so good~ It’s so funny, every blog post I’ve read today has had walnuts in it. I’m like apparently I need to go shopping haha;)
Laura says
Listen to the universe! 😉
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
If you ever got to Seattle/when you go to Seattle, got to The Whale Wins and get (everything on their menu) and get the Eaton Mess. Or search for Whale Wins on my blog and eat your heart out.
Laura says
Ohhhh… I haven’t been to Seattle in years. May be time for aa repeat!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I’ve never made it either but it looks delicious!
Miss Polkadot says
Pavlova is that one dessert I definitely want to make one day just because it’s so fancy. Your sugar-free blueberry idea is sweeeet – it means getting to eat more dessert, right? Especially after that 20-minute arm workout. That beats the 10-15 minutes I had to whip my first aquafaba mousse. Hm … so I guess I should bake more meringues to shape up my chicken arms ;).
Laura says
More dessert is always my goal! 🙂
I’m still itching to try aquafaba… maybe for the next bucket list item!
Kate says
I love a good meringue dessert
Laura says
Same here! I could eat an entire batch!
Courtney says
I don’t think I’ve ever had pavlova, but it looks so light and lovely!
Ilka says
Pavlovas are one of the most delicious desserts ever! Love the lightness of the meringue! I bet the blueberry sauce makes these irresistible! Pinning and stumbling!
Laura says
Thanks friend! I can’t believe it took me so long to try my own!
Amanda says
WOW…I’ve never heard of Pavlova, but it looks and sounds amazing! And that fact that it’s healthy is awesome. My favorite warm weather snack is definitely ice cream 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
What a great variation on pavlova! I like the individual ones.
I make a large one with strawberries and whipped cream. Nothing healthy in mine except for the egg whites but omg is it good!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
This is so creative! I’ve always wanted to try and make a pavlova and now i have a recipe to try out!
Laura says
Thanks! I’d love to hear what you think if you do try it!
debbie says
I’ve seriously been loving all these walnut recipes I’ve been seeing today!
Now if I were really brave, I would attempt my first meringue with aquafaba just so I could try this. It can be done, though I’m not sure I’m the woman to try it. 🙂
Laura says
PLEASE DO IT!!!! You’d be my hero. 🙂
GiGi Eats says
I sometimes really wish I could eat NUTS… Cause my diet would be so much more expansive. But who am I kidding. I am a slave to the salmon skin! ha!
Laura says
It’s ok. You HAVE big nuts, I’m sure.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Wow this looks amazing! I’m not cultured enough to have known what a pavlova is, but now I know and I would love to make this when I move into my house with a functional kitchen! Pinned for later!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
bravo for taking a task of making pavlova, that too early. i am still not comfortable with it…i will continue looking at pretty pictures piled high with berries,,hopefully someday i will get on it,
Christina Bauer says
Meringues also scare me, but I’ll take your testimony to heart that it’s not so difficult! This amazingly delicious, and the perfect summertime dessert.
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says
I agree! This is a gorgeous dessert, looking forward to trying it 🙂
Laura says
Thank you! I’d love to hear what you think if you do try it!
glenneth says
that looks and sounds absolutely amazing! good luck in the contest! off to buy some walnuts!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
I have never had Pavlova and this looks really yummy.
Allyson says
This dessert looks so good! My favorite summer dessert is smores over a campfire! 🙂
Laura says
You can’t go wrong with s’mores! Have you ever done s’more brownies So good!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
Such a pretty dessert! I love making healthy blueberry sauce like this one, and I’m a fan of CA Walnuts too!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
I love everything about this including the mess you made in the kitchen. I would do the same thing.
Laura says
I’m still finding pieces of meringue on stuff. It’s kind of nice when I’m craving sweets…
Cayanne Marcus @healthyezsweet says
Ahhh I love everything fluffy and meringue-y! I feel like a lot of people would’ve gone with a lemon sauce instead of blueberry to mirror lemon meringue, but I’m so glad you chose blueberry. Personally I think the sweeter fruits compliment meringue better than citrus.
Laura says
I am the same way! It’s always lemon curd, and I don’t even really like curd. Shhhh…