Coffee and Macadamia Pavlova with Passionfruit Cream

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

This Pavlova dessert combines a crisp meringue infused with finely ground coffee and chopped macadamia nuts, topped with tangy passionfruit whipped cream for a luscious Australian-inspired treat. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 95 minutes layers large, at room temperature egg whites, caster sugar, finely ground instant coffee granules into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 6 Australian cuisine 290 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and draw a 9-inch circle as a guide.
  2. Step 2: In a clean mixing bowl, whisk 4 large room-temperature egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1 cup caster sugar, 1 tbsp finely ground instant coffee, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1 tsp white vinegar while continuing to whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  3. Step 3: Gently fold in 1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts to the meringue.
  4. Step 4: Spoon the meringue inside the drawn circle on the parchment paper, shaping it into a disc with slightly higher edges to hold the topping.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the meringue inside to cool completely for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
  6. Step 6: Meanwhile, whip 1 cup chilled heavy cream with 1 tsp vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gently fold in 1/2 cup passionfruit pulp.
  7. Step 7: Once the meringue is cooled, top it with the passionfruit cream and dust lightly with 2 tbsp powdered sugar before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Coffee and Macadamia Pavlova with Passionfruit Cream take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Coffee and Macadamia Pavlova with Passionfruit Cream?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Coffee and Macadamia Pavlova with Passionfruit Cream?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Coffee and Macadamia Pavlova with Passionfruit Cream for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Coffee and Macadamia Pavlova with Passionfruit Cream?

Australian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes