Pavlovas with Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse and Mascarpone Creme Anglaise

Meringue

3 large egg whites
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp (110 grams) white granulated sugar
1/4 cup (30 grams) confectioner’s (icing) sugar

Place a rack in the centre of the oven and preheat to 200° F. Line two baking sheets with silpat or parchment and set aside.

Put the egg whites in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high and gradually add the granulated sugar about 1 tbsp. at a time until stiff peaks form. (The whites should be firm but moist.)

Sift the confectioner’s sugar over the egg whites and fold the dry ingredients into the white. (This looks like it will not happen. Fold gently and it will eventually come together.)

Fill a pastry bag with the meringue. Pipe the meringue into whatever shapes you desire. Alternatively, you could just free form your shapes and level them a bit with the back of a spoon.

Bake for 2-3 hours until the meringues become dry and crisp. Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse

3/4 cup heavy cream (35%)
4 1/2 ounces (128 grams) 72% chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup + 1/3 cup mascarpone (sorry, odd measurements due to halving recipe)
2 Tbsp. confectioners (icing) sugar

Put 1/4 cup of the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium high heat. Once warm, add the chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let sit at room temperature until cool.

Place the mascarpone, the remaining 1/2 cup of cream and 2 Tbsp. icing sugar in a bowl. Whip on low for a minute until the mascarpone is loose. (DO NOT OVERBEAT AS THE MASCARPONE WILL BREAK.)

Mix about 1/4 of the mascarpone mixture into the chocolate to lighten. Fold in the remaining mascarpone until well incorporated. Fill a pastry bag with the mousse. Again, you could just free form mousse on top of the pavlova.

Mascarpone Cream Anglaise

1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons white sugar

Prepare the crème anglaise: In a small, heavy saucepan, heat cream and vanilla until bubbles form at edges. While cream is heating, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until smooth. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of hot milk mixture into egg yolks, whisking constantly. Gradually add egg yolk mixture back to remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.

2 Tbsp. mascarpone
2 Tbsp. heavy cream

Slowly whisk the mascarpone into the creme anglaise and let the mixture cool. Put the cream in a bowl and beat with electric mixer until very soft peaks are formed. Fold the cream into the mascarpone mixture.

Assembly

Pipe the mousse onto the pavlovas and drizzle with the mascarpone cream over the top. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and fresh fruit if desired.