If you look back over history, Australia and New Zealand have been barneying over the patronage of food for a long time.
Historians argue over who invented the lamington, Afghan biscuits and the iconic pavlova. Regardless of who you believe, there’s one sure way to make an Australian pav this Australia Day – follow these step-by-step instructions and create your own Australian-shaped Australia Day Pavlova!
Australia Day Pavlova
You will need:
- 4 egg whites
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 400ml thickened cream, whipped
- fruit to decorate – we’re spoiled for choice that this time of year.
- baking paper
- electric mixer
- Australia-shaped Pavlova Template
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 130ºC.
Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add caster sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until thick and glossy.
Step 2:
Place the map template on the baking tray under the sheet of baking paper.
Using the template as a guide, spread the meringue mixture into the shape of Australia. Carefully remove the template from under the baking paper before baking.
Bake in 130ºC oven for 60 minutes.
When cooked, turn the oven off, leave the oven door slightly ajar, and allow to cool slowly in the oven. Slow cooling prevents cracking and the loss of too much height.
Step 3:
Decorate with whipped cream
Step 4:
Get creative with the decoration – try green and gold, the Southern Cross, decorating the states separately, or making your home town the star of the show.
I’d almost finished decorating Australia when Bearhands pointed out that I couldn’t possibly decorate Tasmania with anything other than an apple. That bloke is an ideas man!
I doubt that we’ll ever get to the bottom of the true parentage of the beloved pav. I’m happy to share it with the kiwis as long they’re willing to cover it in Australian summer fruit.
where do you stand on the pavlova’s parentage?
what’s the best topping for a pav?
But NZ summer fruit is so much nicer! 😉 It’s ours and you can’t have it – the pav that is. Or Crowded House, or Russ Crowe, Phar Lap. The list is endless. LOVE this pav though, clever idea x
What happened to Victoria? We’re not part of bloody NSW! 😉
You got me there minxyq, don’t use this pavlova as a means of navigation! 🙂
Fancy pants Pav! That is truly an Aussie Day special!
As a half Aussie/half Kiwi, I’m happy for the Pavlova to hold dual citizenship. The apple is a genius touch! 🙂
We have no plans for Aussie day, perhaps I should make this our thing to do. I love a homemade pav but have never actually made one myself. Perhaps it’s time.
This is totes awesome! Making a pav is on my 101 things to do in 1001 days list and when I pop my pavlova cherry, this is the one I’m going to make!
This is absolutely fantastic!! Off to share it now on FB! Love, love, love it!!! Happy Fabulous Foodie Fridays! xxx
I’ve never seen a Pav in the shape of Australia and now it seems so perfectly obvious! Perfect for Australia Day.
What a fabulous idea! I love it! Hope you have a great Australia Day and enjoy that pav 🙂
I don’t care who “owns” it, it’s delicious and I love it. Love your take on it and making it into the map.
Oh my goodness, this is amazing! Bearhands was spot on too, how could you not cover Tasmania in apples?!?
hi there, just caught this recipe, via bakeplaysmile, I will most certainly, without a doubt stuff this one up, Australia will end up looking like something a pre schooler would do, but will try 🙂
This is hilarious. I just love it. I haven’t had pav for years, will have to remedy that.
This is brilliant! I’d love a piece right now!
From an ex-pat with a Queenslander son – thanks for your post – it was great!
Have a great Straya Day – enjoy the beach(or farm) BBQ & Beer
Cheers, John
This looks great. Pavlova has never been my ‘thing’ but I think I would have to try making one of these! Love it.
OMG I LOVE THIS PAV! I need it in my belly… I only wish I’d seen this before Oz Day!
Why limit pav to Australia Day, I say!
Thank you so much for sharing! For my work’s International Holiday Party I signed up to make something from Australia. When I found this recipe for pavlova in the shape of Australia I thought, “Perfect!” Can’t wait to try it.
Hi Adrienne, thanks for the comment. I love the idea of an International Holiday Party. If you’re new to pavlova you might want to check out my six tips for the perfect pav: http://www.cookerandalooker.com/six-tips-perfect-pavlova/
Happy baking!
A x
thankyou for sharing the template for the pav,its a gret idea and just love the apple on tassie. Happy Australia Day to all aussie aussie auisse oik oik oik 🙂
Hi Amanda,
I just completed reading this article and its really informative.
Keep updating us !!!
The link to the template does not work and just says that the page is non-existent. Could you please fix it. I had to find another online that surely was not as good. Great recipe and also easy.
Hi there PallisonV,
Thanks for your comment. I’ve added the template as a free product in my shop – you should be able to download it from there.
Cheers,
Amanda