Individual Pavlovas with Cream Cheese Whipped Cream and Raspberry Sauce

I made these for Corey's luncheon. They are fun cuz they're pretty and different! They are named after Anna Pavlova, a russian ballerina. Primarily eaten in Australia and New Zealand. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 tsp cornstarch

6 large egg whites

1/4 + 1/8 tsp cream of tartar

1 pinch salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

Fresh mint, for garnish(optional)

Raspberry Sauce

3 Tbsp sugar

2 1/4 tsp cornstarch

18 oz fresh raspberries (frozen would work too)

1/3 cup water

Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

8 oz cream cheese

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites with cream of tartar and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Increase speed to medium high and slowly add in sugar mixture, then increase speed to high and whip until stiff glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes, adding in vanilla during last minute of mixing.

Spoon and dollop meringue into 3 to 4 inch circles onto parchment paper lined baking sheets then use the back of the spoon to create slight dips in their centers. Bake in preheated oven 60 minutes, then leave in oven with door closed, turn off oven and allow to rest in oven 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

To assemble, top meringues with cream cheese whipped cream then raspberry sauce and garnish with mint. Assemble just before serving.

For the raspberry sauce:

In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Stir in 1/3 cup water. Add half of the raspberries, then cook mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly until mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and cool completely. Stir in remaining raspberries. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

For the cream cheese whipped cream:

In a mixing bowl whip heavy cream until soft peaks form then add sugar and vanilla and whip until nearly stiff peaks form. In a separate mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add cream cheese to whipped cream mixture and whip until stiff peaks form. Store in refrigerator.

From cooking classy