HOLIDAY PAVLOVA RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Draw a 9-in. circle on parchment paper. Invert paper and place on a baking sheet; set aside., Add cornstarch, vinegar, vanilla and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons sprinkles., Mound egg whites within circle marked on parchment, forming a shallow well in the center. With a wide spatula or large spoon, swipe up from the bottom around the outside to create smooth sides. Sprinkle outside with remaining 2 tablespoons sprinkles. Bake until set and dry, 45-50 minutes. Turn off oven (do not open oven door); leave meringue in oven 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine cranberries, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, orange liqueur, orange juice and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat until berries pop and mixture thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add remaining 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Fold half the whipped cream into cranberry mixture. , Place pavlova on a serving plate. If center has not already collapsed, gently press center with a large spoon to open cavity inside. Gently add cranberry mixture, spreading to edge. Spoon remaining whipped cream on top of cranberry mixture; top with remaining 1 tablespoon sprinkles. Refrigerate leftovers.

Steps:

• Place 2 cups cranberries and 3/4 cup water into 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until cranberries are very soft.
• Place fine strainer over bowl. Pour cranberry mixture into strainer, pressing cranberries with back of spoon to squeeze out as much juice as possible. Discard cranberry pulp and skins. Return strained cranberry mixture to saucepan. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Whisk egg yolks in bowl. Pour about 2 tablespoons hot cranberry mixture into egg yolks, whisking constantly. Continue whisking, adding additional hot cranberry mixture, until about half of cranberry mixture has been added.
• Return cranberry-egg mixture to saucepan with remaining cranberry mixture. Stir; continue cooking, stirring constantly, 4-5 minutes or until mixture reaches 165ºF and has thickened. Remove from heat; whisk in butter until combined and butter is melted. Pour into bowl; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until completely cooled.
• Heat oven to 275ºF. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine 1 cup sugar and cornstarch in bowl; set aside. Beat egg whites in another bowl until soft peaks form. Slowly add sugar mixture; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla and vinegar; mix well.
• Spoon egg white mixture into 12 mounds (about 1/3 cup each), 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet. Create indent in center of each mound, using back of spoon. Bake 25 minutes. Do not open oven. Turn off oven. Let stand in oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven; cool completely.
• Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in 1-quart saucepan; cook over high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and sugar is dissolved. Stir in cranberries; cook 2-3 minutes or just until a cranberry bursts. Remove from heat. (Do not overcook.) Drain cranberries; let stand at least 1 hour or until cranberries are dry.
• Place sugar into shallow bowl. Add cooked cranberries, rolling to coat. Place sugared cranberries in single layer onto waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.
• Top pavlova with about 2 tablespoons cranberry curd. Garnish each with fresh mint sprig and 3 sugared cranberries.