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Mango and passionfruit Eton mess smashed pavlovas

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  • Gluten free
  • Nut free
  • Peanut free
  • Sesame free
  • Soy free
  • Wheat free
  • Shellfish free
  • Seafood free
  • Vegetarian

These tropical-style Eton Mess dessert cups are a great way to add some fresh and bright flavour to your dinner party dessert with minimal fuss.

  • Serves12
  • Cook time5 minutes
  • Prep time35 minutes, + cooling & 2 hours freezing time
Mango and passionfruit Eton mess smashed pavlovas

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (55g) caster sugar
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) passionfruit pulp
  • 3/4 cup (185ml) lime juice
  • 2 mangoes, peeled, pitted, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 kiwifruit, peeled, halved lengthways, thinly sliced crossways
  • 2 tsp finely grated lime rind
  • 2 cups (500ml) thickened cream, whipped to stiff peaks

Smashed pavlova

  • 6 free-range egg whites, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (330g) caster sugar
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 2 tbs cornflour

Nutritional information

Per serve: Energy: 1392kJ/333 Cals (16%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 15g (21%), Sat Fat: 10g (42%), Sodium: 92mg (5%), Carb: 44g (14%), Sugar: 43g (48%), Dietary Fibre: 3g (10%).

Check ingredient labels to make sure they meet your specific dietary requirements and always consult a health professional before changing your diet. View dietary information here.

Percentage Daily Intake information on our recipes is calculated using the nutrition reference values for an average Australian adult.

Method

  1. Step 1

    To make the smashed pavlova, position a rack in centre of oven and preheat oven to 150°C. Line a 33cm x 45cm rimmed baking tray with baking paper.

  2. Step 2

    In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating on medium-high speed for 10 mins or until firm glossy peaks form. Beat in vinegar, vanilla and salt. Sift cornflour over the meringue and gently fold in.

  3. Step 3

    Using a large metal spoon, spoon 8 large dollops of meringue onto the prepared tray. Using an offset spatula or palette knife, gently spread meringue into an even layer.

  4. Step 4

    Place the meringue in oven. Immediately reduce temperature to 105°C. Bake for 11/2 hours or until meringue is crisp on the outside but has a marshmallow-like centre and puffs ever so slightly. Turn oven off. Prop oven door open with a wooden spoon and leave meringue in oven for 30 mins to cool, then remove from oven and cool completely.

  5. Step 5

    Gently run a palette knife along the edges of the pavlova to loosen from the baking paper. Place another baking tray over the pavlova and invert. Carefully remove paper. Invert the pavlova back into the first tray. Gently lift the corner and break the pavlova into large pieces.

  6. Step 6

    In a saucepan, stir sugar and 1 cup (250ml) water over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Slowly bring to the boil. Remove from heat. Cool completely.

  7. Step 7

    Stir passionfruit pulp and 1/2 cup (125ml) lime juice into syrup. Pour into a 20cm square baking dish and freeze for 30 mins or until the mixture is icy around the edges.

  8. Step 8

    Using a large fork, stir edges of the passionfruit mixture into the centre. Freeze, stirring every 20-30 mins, for 1 1/2 hours or until frozen. Using a large fork, scrape frozen granita into flaky crystals. Cover and keep frozen.

  9. Step 9

    In a medium bowl, gently toss the mangoes, kiwifruit, lime rind and remaining 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice.    

  10. Step 10

    Break the pavlova into smaller pieces and layer with the mango mixture and cream in dessert glasses. Spoon 1/3 cup of granita into each glass. Serve immediately.

Recipe tip

COOK. STORE. SAVE.
Use it up:
This recipe will leave you with 6 egg yolks left over after creating the meringue, giving you the perfect excuse to make a batch of Hollandaise sauce for breakfast and some raspberry curd to serve alongside your smashed pavlova cups.

Turn Eton Mess into a tropical treat

This classic British dessert, named after the prestigious boarding school that has educated many members of the royal family, has been a popular treat since the late 1800s. Traditionally consisting of crushed meringue, strawberries and whipped cream, this tasty dish has also turned up twists like a mixed berry variety, as well as variations with banana and chocolate, or other fruit variations like this tropical one with mango and passionfruit. 

Is mango and passionfruit Eton Mess a deconstructed pavlova?

When you consider the ingredients, it’s quite easy to consider that this dessert is essentially a smashed pavlova. While a traditional pavlova consists of a meringue topped with cream and fruits, this classic treat involves the same ingredients, including a crushed meringue, dollops of cream, and fruit or berries to create little deconstructed mini pavlova cups.

The pavlova is made in much the same way as making the perfect pavlova, however, once the meringue is cooked, it is cooled and then broken into pieces to be placed in glasses with the whipped cream and fruit in a rustic manner, resembling a smashed pavlova dessert.

What is the secret of a good pavlova?

As with any meringue, there are a few important factors to remember to ensure you get that great crunchy outside and puffy marshmallow centre. The most important steps to consider to end up with a perfect pavlova include:

  • The bowl and equipment – use a glass or metal bowl and ensure all equipment is clean and free from any leftover fats or oils, as they can interfere with the binding of proteins, which will not allow the eggs to whip correctly. 

  • The eggs – try to use eggs that are fresh and at room temperature. If you store your eggs in the fridge, bring them out a few hours prior and bring them up to room temperature.

  • Be careful when you separate your eggs – any yolk in your egg whites will introduce fat that interferes with the protein-forming bonds and creates those all-important stiff peaks. 

  • The oven temperature – ensure oven temperature is kept low and that meringues are cooled in the oven as it cools naturally with the open door. This will help the meringue continue to cook and help avoid cracking. 

While some traditional meringues do not include cornflour and vinegar, the addition of these ingredients does help with the structure of the final product. Vinegar and cornflour help to stabilise the whipped egg whites and also allow you to get those soft pillowy marshmallow centres with a shorter cooking time. 

Serving smashed pavlova in a glass is next-level style 

One of the best parts about this recipe is the ease of serving which also gives it a unique and gorgeous style. Choose your fanciest martini glass, parfait glass or any glass that you like, throw the ingredients in and you have a fancy dessert worthy of serving at a dinner party.

Meringue is not the best dessert for making ahead of time, as it can quickly absorb moisture and lose its edge. Any leftover meringue can be stored in an airtight container layered with baking paper to avoid crushing but make sure no moisture can get in.

FAQs

Mango and passionfruit Eton mess smashed pavlovas

Mango and passionfruit Eton mess smashed pavlovas
  • Serves12
  • Cook time5 minutes
  • Prep time35 minutes, + cooling & 2 hours freezing time
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup (55g) caster sugar
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) passionfruit pulp
  • 3/4 cup (185ml) lime juice
  • 2 mangoes, peeled, pitted, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 kiwifruit, peeled, halved lengthways, thinly sliced crossways
  • 2 tsp finely grated lime rind
  • 2 cups (500ml) thickened cream, whipped to stiff peaks

Smashed pavlova

  • 6 free-range egg whites, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (330g) caster sugar
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 2 tbs cornflour
    Description

    These tropical-style Eton Mess dessert cups are a great way to add some fresh and bright flavour to your dinner party dessert with minimal fuss.

    Method
    1. Step 1

      To make the smashed pavlova, position a rack in centre of oven and preheat oven to 150°C. Line a 33cm x 45cm rimmed baking tray with baking paper.

    2. Step 2

      In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating on medium-high speed for 10 mins or until firm glossy peaks form. Beat in vinegar, vanilla and salt. Sift cornflour over the meringue and gently fold in.

    3. Step 3

      Using a large metal spoon, spoon 8 large dollops of meringue onto the prepared tray. Using an offset spatula or palette knife, gently spread meringue into an even layer.

    4. Step 4

      Place the meringue in oven. Immediately reduce temperature to 105°C. Bake for 11/2 hours or until meringue is crisp on the outside but has a marshmallow-like centre and puffs ever so slightly. Turn oven off. Prop oven door open with a wooden spoon and leave meringue in oven for 30 mins to cool, then remove from oven and cool completely.

    5. Step 5

      Gently run a palette knife along the edges of the pavlova to loosen from the baking paper. Place another baking tray over the pavlova and invert. Carefully remove paper. Invert the pavlova back into the first tray. Gently lift the corner and break the pavlova into large pieces.

    6. Step 6

      In a saucepan, stir sugar and 1 cup (250ml) water over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Slowly bring to the boil. Remove from heat. Cool completely.

    7. Step 7

      Stir passionfruit pulp and 1/2 cup (125ml) lime juice into syrup. Pour into a 20cm square baking dish and freeze for 30 mins or until the mixture is icy around the edges.

    8. Step 8

      Using a large fork, stir edges of the passionfruit mixture into the centre. Freeze, stirring every 20-30 mins, for 1 1/2 hours or until frozen. Using a large fork, scrape frozen granita into flaky crystals. Cover and keep frozen.

    9. Step 9

      In a medium bowl, gently toss the mangoes, kiwifruit, lime rind and remaining 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice.    

    10. Step 10

      Break the pavlova into smaller pieces and layer with the mango mixture and cream in dessert glasses. Spoon 1/3 cup of granita into each glass. Serve immediately.