Candy Cane Pavlova
- 2 pints vanilla ice cream
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes, plus more for topping
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 1/4 cups superfine sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Red food coloring
- Prepare the ice cream: Let the ice cream soften slightly at room temperature, 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until creamy but not melted, about 1 minute.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and the crushed candy canes and beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds.
- Transfer to a small metal baking dish or loaf pan, cover and freeze until firm, 1 to 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a bowl or cake pan as a guide, trace an 8-inch circle onto the parchment with a pencil, then flip the parchment over (the circle should still be visible); set aside.
- Make the meringue: Fill a medium saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; remove from the heat.
- Combine the egg whites, sugar and salt in a large heatproof bowl and set over the hot water (do not let the bowl touch the water).
- Whisk until the egg whites are foamy and hot, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium speed until stiff and shiny, about 10 minutes.
- Beat in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract until combined.
- Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip.
- Pipe in a tight spiral onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, starting in the middle of the circle and working toward the outer edge.
- Pipe more meringue around the outer edge of the circle to build up the side about 2 inches high.
- Dip a small paintbrush or toothpick in the food coloring, then drag it around the meringue spiral to create streaks.
- Repeat several times.
- Bake until the meringue is just firm but not brown, about 1 hour.
- (If it starts browning, reduce the oven temperature to 275 degrees F.) Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
- (The meringue will continue to harden as it cools.)
- Carefully invert the meringue onto a platter and gently peel off the parchment.
- Invert again and set on the platter.
- Top with scoops of the prepared peppermint ice cream and sprinkle with more crushed candy canes.
- Freeze until ready to serve, up to 2 days.
- Photographs by Johnny Miller
vanilla ice cream, peppermint, candy canes, egg whites, sugar, salt, red food coloring
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/candy-cane-pavlova.html (may not work)