Pavlova

Preheat the oven to 250°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a dark marker, draw a 9-inch diameter circle on the parchment paper by tracing around a 9-inch cake pan or plate. Flip the paper over so your meringue won't touch the marker. Set aside.

Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium speed (6) until the egg whites become foamy, about 1 minute. Add the salt and cream of tartar and beat until the mixture forms soft peaks, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the granulated sugar, about one tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat (this should take about 1 minute). Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed to medium-high (8) and beat until the meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks, 5 to 7 minutes more. (When you lift the beater out of the bowl, the meringue should form peaks that stand straight up without drooping.) Add the vanilla and cornstarch and beat for about 30 seconds more, until combined.

Secure the parchment paper to the baking sheet by adding a dab of meringue under each corner to act as a glue. Mound the meringue onto the parchment inside the circle. Using a spatula or a butter knife, spread the meringue to fill the circle and ever-so-slightly indent the center of the circle to fill with the whipped topping later on. Even out the top and sides just slightly -- it shouldn’t be perfectly smooth or overworked.

Place in the oven and bake for 85 to 90 minutes, or until the meringue is dry and crisp all over. Don't worry if the top or edges are cracked -- that's normal and it all gets covered with whipped cream in the end. Turn off the oven, prop the oven door open, and leave the meringue in the oven to cool to room temperature for 1 hour. (The meringue won’t collapse as much if it cools gradually.)

Wash your mixing bowl from the meringue. To the clean bowl, add mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Whisk on low speed until combined, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until billowy, medium-stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Be cautious not to over-beat; the mixture should retain a smooth consistency without becoming overly stiff or taking on a curdled-like appearance.

To assemble, carefully peel the meringue off of the parchment paper and place it on a serving platter. Alternatively, if the pavlova is difficult to remove, transfer it on the parchment to a platter (you can trim the parchment to a smaller square if necessary.) Mound the mascarpone cream onto the meringue and gently spread it out until it is about 1 inch from the edge (don't worry if the meringue cracks in the process). Top the pavlova with the fresh or macerated berries and fresh mint. Cut the pavlova into wedges, wiping the knife in between slices, and serve.

<strong>Note:</strong> The cornstarch in this pavlova recipe serves to stabilize the egg whites and help create a fluffy, marshmallow-like center beneath the crisp exterior. However, if you're preparing this dessert for Passover, you can omit the cornstarch to keep the recipe kosher for the holiday. While the texture might be slightly different without the cornstarch, your pavlova will still be perfectly delicious.

<strong>To Make Mini Pavlovas:</strong> Shape 8 to 10 small meringues with a slight indentation in the center (to hold the whipped topping later) on two parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space for them to spread a bit. Position the sheets in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the pavlovas are crisp and dry. Then, turn off the oven and prop open the door slightly; let the meringues cool inside to room temperature, which should take about one hour.

<strong>To Make Macerated Berries:</strong> If you'd like to top the pavlova with macerated berries, begin with 1 pound (3 cups) mixed berries, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. If using strawberries, hull them and cut into halves or quarters if large. Leave smaller berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries whole. Ensure all the berries are clean and dry. In a medium bowl, gently mix the prepared berries with the lemon juice and sugar. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour. During this time, the sugar will dissolve and the berries will release their juices, creating a light, natural syrup.

<strong>Make-Ahead Instructions:</strong> The meringue base can be made 1 day ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature; avoid refrigerating it, as the humidity can soften the structure. The whipped topping can be prepared and refrigerated up to 2 hours before serving. When ready to serve, carefully transfer the pavlova to a serving plate. Add the whipped topping and fresh fruit only just before serving to ensure the meringue remains crisp, preventing it from becoming soft due to the moisture from these toppings.

<strong>Nutritional Note:</strong> The nutritional information includes the fresh berries and mint.