Passionfruit and Macadamia Pavlova with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream
A classic Australian dessert, featuring a crisp meringue base topped with whipped cream, passionfruit, and crunchy macadamia nuts. This australian-inspired desserts (dairy free) ready in about 85 minutes layers egg whites, caster sugar, vanilla extract 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 280 calories and feeds 8, 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.
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 4, pureed passionfruit
- 50g, chopped macadamia nuts
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1, split vanilla bean
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 120°C (250°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk egg whites and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Gradually add caster sugar, then icing sugar, and continue whisking until glossy.
- Step 2: Spread meringue into a 20cm circle on the tray. Bake for 1 hour, then turn off oven and leave to cool completely.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whip cream with scraped vanilla bean until stiff. Spread over cooled meringue. Top with passionfruit puree and macadamia nuts. Serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Passionfruit and Macadamia Pavlova with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (25 min prep + 60 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 Passionfruit and Macadamia Pavlova with Vanilla Bean Whipped 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 Passionfruit and Macadamia Pavlova with Vanilla Bean Whipped 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 Passionfruit and Macadamia Pavlova with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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.
Is Passionfruit and Macadamia Pavlova with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream dairy free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged dairy free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
