Create this delicious chocolate pavlova recipe with cinnamon-poached pears, served with whipped cream and hazelnuts. An easy and memorable pavlova for dinner parties or to celebrate Christmas or Easter.
Ingredients
3 egg whites, at room temperature
Pinch salt
1 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup CADBURY BOURNVILLE Cocoa, sifted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups water
1 cup fruity white wine
2 cups caster sugar, extra
Strip of orange rind
1 cinnamon stick
10 small firm ripe pears, peeled, cored and halved
1 cup cream, whipped
1/2 cup toasted coarsely chopped hazelnuts
Method
BEAT the egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form. Continue beating, whilst gradually adding the sugar, until mixture is thick and glossy. Fold through the cocoa and cinnamon lightly. (Do not over mix it's fine to leave it streaky)
SPREAD a 1cm thick layer of meringue in a 24cm circle on a paper lined baking tray. Spoon meringue around the edge of the circle to form the walls of the pavlova. Bake in a slow oven 140°C for 45-60 minutes. Turn off oven and cool completely in the oven. Store in an airtight container until required
COMBINE the water, wine, extra sugar, orange rind and cinnamon stick in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pears, cover with a sheet of baking paper and a lid, and poach for 30-40 minutes or until just soft. Lift the pears and set aside, then boil the liquid for 20 minutes or until reduced to syrup. Pour over the pears, chill, covered, until required
DECORATE the pavlova with cream, pears and a sprinkle of hazelnuts