Mixed Berry Pavlova

Ingredients

• For the meringues:
• 4 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup superfine sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the berry sauce:
• About 30 ounces of frozen berries
• Up to 1/4 cup sugar, to taste
• 1 tablespoon Kirschwasser
• For the whipped cream:
• 3 cups cold heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 250 degrees F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
2. Put the egg whites and salt in a deep bowl. Start whisking on low speed with a balloon whisk, an electric hand mixer, or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, then slowly work up the speed, stopping at medium-high if you are using a stand mixer. Once the whites look foamy, add the cream of tartar in a light sprinkle and beat until it is fully incorporated.
3. Beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Start adding the sugar gradually, one tablespoon at a time, and keep beating until the sugar is dissolved and the meringue is glossy with firm, stiff peaks.
4. Sift the cornstarch over the meringue and fold it in with a gentle hand. Fold in the vanilla extract.
5. Shape twelve 3- to 4-inch rounds on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart. Aim for little bowl shapes, using either a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip or a large spoon.
6. Bake the meringues for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the surfaces feel dry and the color is still very pale, just barely creamy. Turn the oven off, crack the door open a bit, and leave the meringues inside to cool.
7. While cooling, the shells will develop a few cracks on the outside while staying soft in the center.
8. For the berry sauce, combine the berries, sugar, and kirschwasser in a pan and simmer for about 20 minutes.
9. Whip the cream, adding the sugar once it has expanded and is nearly at the soft-peak stage. Stir in the vanilla.
10. For each serving, set a meringue on a dessert plate, spoon whipped cream on top, then add warm berry sauce and a spoonful of berries. Serve immediately.