Chilli Chocolate Pavlova

 This crisp, chocolate pavlova with hints of chilli and a light, fluffy inside, is perfect served as a dessert after a BBQ, or any day of the year! It’s topped with lightly whipped cream and raspberries; it makes an attractive addition to any table when entertaining this summer.

Chilli Chocolate Pavlova

I can surely say that I felt a tiny bit of pressure with this country because not only do I have friends that live over there, but also my Mum lived over there for quite a number of years (before moving to NZ) and my sister was born there! Of course, I love a challenge and so I wanted to make them proud and let this be one of my best bakes yet!

Naturally, when you think about Australian food, you might think kangaroo meat and all kinds of weird and wonderful things. However once you start digging, there’s plenty of dishes that you might not have even considered to be Australian, like this one; the pavlova. I asked for help from one of my friends from Le Cordon Bleu, who moved back to Perth in Australia after the course, to tell me what’s traditionally eaten day-to-day over there, so read on to find out what the ozzies down under are feeding themselves!

Chilli Chocolate Pavlova

I’m not going to take full credit for this recipe as I was inspired by Nigella’s Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova. Although I have changed it slightly in terms of flavour and some of the technique, this was the base recipe for this bake.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to pavlova, from the flavouring of the actual meringue to the fruit used on top. I’m certainly going to be experimenting a lot more now that I’ve found such a good recipe to base mine on. What’s your favourite pavlova flavour combo you’ve eaten?

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Chilli Chocolate Pavlova

What Australians Eat

As you know, during this series of A-Z cooking I like to find out what the citizens of the country like to eat, day in, day out. I asked my friend Kelly to help me with this one as she’s Australian, living in Perth. Here’s what she suggested would be an Australian’s day in food (of course these are the most popular food and I’m sure Australians eat a whole fusion of foods in their day, especially with it being such a multicultural country) –

Breakfast

  • Smashed avocado on toast
  • Vegemite on toast
  • Weetabix

Lunch

  • Meat pie
  • Sausage rolls

Dinner

  • Fish and chips
  • Barbecues (especially BBQ’d prawns and lamb)
  • Kangaroo (I wasn’t wrong then!)
  • Roast meat
  • Barramundi (this is the aboriginal name for large-scaled fish)

Sweets & Snacks

  • Lamingtons (coconut and chocolate cake bars)
  • Tim Tams (Chocolate biscuits)
  • Cherry ripe (chocolate bars)
  • Macadamia nuts

Traditional Aboriginal Foods are –

  • Wichetty grub
  • Damper (type of soda bread)

Thanks Kelly for giving us an insight into Australian foods! I’d love to go to Australia one day. If you’ve been, let me know in the comments something Australian you ate and loved!

Things to consider before baking – 

The Recipe

Chilli Chocolate Pavlova

  • Serves: 6
  • Difficulty: Medium

Sweet, chocolate-y, creamy with hints of chilli - the perfect showstopper when entertaining.

What you will need

  • 300g caster sugar
  • 6 medium egg-whites
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder, sieved
  • 1 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 50g chilli dark chocolate, chopped
  • 500ml double cream
  • 250g raspberries
  • 1 square of chocolate to grate

Method

  • 1Pre-heat oven to 160 fan/180/gas mark 4. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
  • 2In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until shiny and can hold their own shape. Gradually add the sugar whilst mixing until the meringue is completely stiff.
  • 3Add the sieved cocoa powder, vinegar and the chopped chocolate. Carefully fold in. Don’t worry if there are streaks as it only adds to the effect once cooked. Do however make sure the powder is all mixed in.
  • 4Pour the meringue into a rough circle on the baking tray, smoothing down the top and sides. Place in oven and then reduce temp to 130 fan/150/gas 2. Cook for 1 hour 15 mins. You’ll know it’s ready once the top and sides start to crisp and crack. The insides should also feel slightly squidgy when you press the top.
  • 5Remove from oven and leave to cool completely. When ready to serve, move onto your desired plate/board. Whisk the double cream until soft and place on top. Decorate with the raspberries and grated chocolate.

MORE DESSERT RECIPES

Easy Strawberry Mille-feuille

Mini Strawberry Jam and Cream Tarts

Open Apple Pie

Don’t forget to tag me in all your creations over on instagram and twitter. And why not pin this on Pinterest to save for later? 

Chilli Chocolate Pavlova

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