Black Forest Pavlova
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Whilst I like to stick with what I know for certain products (washing powder for example – not changed that brand for years!) I also love to try out new products and am a sucker for those when I see them on the shelves at the supermarket!
I was sent a tub of Weight Watchers® Select Hot Chocolate to try. The great thing about this product is that you can use it in baking as well as a hot drink!
I don’t follow the Weight Watchers plan (although I have done in the past) but if you do and are counting points, this product is going to be ideal for you to get a chocolate fix! This desert, however, probably not so much!
With a recent move, and another one in the very near future, a lot of my baking supplies are packed away in boxes, so I had to think of something that would really not require special equipment. I decided on some simple chocolate meringues. But then, I thought, why not take it a step further and combine it with another of my favourite ingredients…cherries! And so, my Black Forest Pavlova was invented!
I’ve cooked meringue a few times over the years, but I managed to crack my meringue as I was transferring it off the baking sheet -_- So please do ignore the cracks! It tasted LUSH, and that’s what matters!
I made a template for my pavlova by drawing around a plate on a sheet of greaseproof paper and then flipping it over.
I could then spread the meringue into a rough circle.
Spoon the cream over the meringue…spread it out to the edges (ish). Top with the cherry pie filling and whole cherries too (adds two slightly different flavours) if you have some Kirsch (cherry liqueur) you could add a little of that to the mix!
Grate over some chocolate and serve immediately!
No photos of me making the cream I’m afraid – but here follows photographs of the assembled pavlova in all its yummy glory!
Knowing roughly how to make meringue, I’m going to confess, I made this recipe up as I went along. A bit of tweaking to the meringue mix may make the thing less liable to cracking…and the inside, when I took it out after an hour and a half drying time, was still a bit gooey in the center – almost like a fudge cake! It made for gorgeous chocolate squidgeness though – no regrets haha.
Hubby commented that the cream had a coffee like flavour to it – I said I’d put some vanilla in it as well as chocolate and made that’s what he could taste…we both still hoovered it up though!!
A pavlova is a simple enough recipe – and looks stunning as a dinner party dessert – a real showpiece!
- For the meringue
- 4 egg whites
- 225g caster sugar
- 2 tbsp Weight Watchers® Select Hot Chocolate
- For the topping
- 600ml double cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- ½ tbsp Weight Watchers® Select Hot Chocolate
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 can cherries, drained
- 3 squares of milk chocolate
- Preheat oven to 130C/275F/Gas 1
- Whisk the egg whites until they are the soft peak stage.
- Whisk in the caster sugar a few spoonfuls at a time.
- Keep whisking until smooth and glossy and at stiff peak stage.
- Gently fold in the 2 tablespoons of hot chocolate until incorporated.
- Spoon onto a baking sheet covered with greaseproof paper and spread out to form a circle
- Leave to dry out in the oven for 1½ to 2 hours. After this time, turn the oven off and leave to cool with the oven door slightly ajar.
- When ready to serve, make the topping by whisking the double cream with the vanilla, icing sugar and ½ tablespoon hot chocolate until it forms soft peaks. Don’t over beat it or you’ll end up with butter!
- Spoon the cream over the meringue and top with the cherry pie filling and the canned cherries.
- Grate over the chocolate and serve.
Weight Watchers® Select Luxury Hot Chocolate.
Will I use it again? Oh yes! Will be making some hot chocolate with it when I get the chance and look forward to using it again in cakes!
Weight Watchers Hot Chocolate adds luxury to its range
When you think about low fat treats that compliment your healthy lifestyle regime, what usually springs to mind? A delicious cup of velvety, luxury hot chocolate? Surely not?!
Well, the new product team at Weight Watchers® Hot Chocolate have been working hard with you in mind to develop a fantastic premium hot chocolate that delivers a more intense chocolate drink – and that’s low fat too! What’s more, it can even be used in home baking!
Weight Watchers® Hot Chocolate’s unique formula contains 50% real chocolate but is still low in fat. Containing only 92 calories and with a ProPoints value of just 2 per serving, Select will be an indulgent delight for chocolate lovers looking for a real chocolate hit without giving up on the plan.
When compared with the established Weight Watchers Hot Chocolate instant range, the new luxury product also has the added benefit of being home baking friendly and can easily be used as a substitute for cocoa powder in sweet treats such as brownies, muffins and biscuits!
TheBrickCastle
January 20, 2014 @ 12:34 pm
You might have made it up as you went along, but it looks divine. I love the fact you are meh about the cracks in the meringue – no-one cares, it just makes it easier to cut :)
Michelle Ordever
January 20, 2014 @ 3:40 pm
It all goes down the same hole lol!! I’m often quite whatevs if things don’t come out as planned :D
TheBrickCastle
January 20, 2014 @ 3:44 pm
I nearly typed that and then didn’t! :D
Michelle Ordever
January 20, 2014 @ 3:48 pm
We’ll leave it at that :D :D :D