I would like to share something very near and dear to my heart. My all time favourite Pavlova is a very special family recipe that dates back to the 1960’s. It’s just that this recipe is not MY family recipe, in fact I don’t even make it myself……..
I am absolutely head over heels in love with Cowell’s Pavlovas and have been for as long as I can remember and don’t mind telling everyone! Not the cream, not the berries just the Pav. Nothing says Christmas is coming like buying one of these and waiting for the big day.
So when I was approached to see if I would tell you that Cowell’s Genuine Pavlova was going to be on a Price Lockdown at Countdown New Zealand at $9.99 all year round I had a little giggle to myself. The reason being a few months ago I was lucky enough to go to The Food Show in Auckland, and there, within a few minutes of arriving I met the lovely Kiwi owners of Cowell’s Pavlovas. And I had to admit to them that I am so often asked for a Pavlova recipe on this blog but I have never conceded for one reason…..I don’t like home made, I am terrible at making Pavlovas and I LOVE Cowell’s. So I said I would love, come Christmas time, to tell everyone my little secret!
So yes I was a little amused but totally delighted some months later to be approached by the lovely people at Countdown to shout from the roof tops that Countdown has put Cowell’s Genuine 300g Pavlova on Price Lockdown, meaning it has dropped from $11.90, to only $9.99 and will remain this low price for the foreseeable future! While some people love the crunch of a home made pav, or the sticky inside bits, I love the Cowell’s Pavlova from top to bottom. The insides are so fluffy and delicious that it is little wonder it became such a hit all those years ago.
When I met with the lovely couple at The Food show I learnt a few new tips. I was so delighted to hear that you can freeze these pavs – so you can grab them anywhere up to 3 months before you need them, which is handy when everyone gets worried they will run out before Christmas! So ours is safely tucked in the freezer already.
I also have a handy tip of my own, this is all important because having Pavlova for breakfast the day after the party is also part of the tradition around here. Cream has a tendency to not last long, which is why I use this little trick I learnt from my Mum and she learnt from her mother beforehand. That is to use a little Vanilla Instant Pudding in the cream! It helps to stabilise the cream and add some thickness to it as it sets over time, plus a lovely extra sweet flavour. I have included that tip in the recipe below, but is totally optional as normal whipped cream is just perfect.
Berries are such a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the Pavlova, but you could use any combination you like, what is your favourite Pavlova topping?
So it really does not get any easier than that! A beautiful delicious centre piece to any party. Your guests will love you forever if you bring one of these along.
So thank you to Countdown for allowing me to finally tell the world what my favourite Pavlova recipe really is. And of course next time you are in Countdown grab yourself a Cowell’s Genuine Pavlova for just $9.99 in their Price Lockdown, pop it in the freezer and have one or two on hand for the next special occasion.
Thank you so much for stopping by to check out this post. Be sure to follow me on Facebook & Instagram for more deliciousness.
Happy Baking!
Anna 😀
Jo Gibbs says
Strawberries and the best on/with pav! They need to be thin as a heavy topping with make your pavlova fall in. Get the photos of your masterpiece down straight away.
justamumnz says
Good idea! ?
Rebecca says
Favourite topping is plenty of fresh whipped cream with a touch of vanilla essense and icing sugar, topped with Chocolate flakes and berries. Simple and delicious
Anna Stone says
Love kiwifruit and chocolate chips on cream
Carolyn Robinson says
I love whipped cream with a touch of icing sugar and sliced strawberries. Sometimes I grate chocolate on the whipped cream instead. It just depends on how I feel on the day.
nikki c says
I love strawberries, chocolate flakes and kiwifruit
Nicola Muggeridge says
Cream, shaved chocolate and raspberries
Julie Nielsen says
Hi Anna.. Our favourite pavlova topping is strawberries, blueberries and boysenberries from my garden, piled on whipped cream topped pavlova, then drizzled with caramel sauce just before eating.. The sauce: 1/2 a cup of cream, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and a thin slice off the end of a packet of butter.. heat in a microwave until the brown sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.. cover and leave on your bench until needed. Serve the pavlova in wedges, stir the sauce, then guests drizzle their serve with the room temperature caramel sauce.. delicious! 🙂
justamumnz says
Yuuuuummmm!!! Thank you for the recipe!! Great tip ?
Maria Boyd says
Opps forgot to put cream too
Maria Boyd says
Looks amazing, love strawberries, caramel sauce and chocolate chips.
Charmaine Willis-Croft says
I love chopped kiwifruit and strawberries, maybe a drizzle of melted chocolate over top
Kirsty says
My favourite is whipped cream and passionfruit!
Sarah Blair says
I like whipped cream, sliced strawberries and sliced bananas!
Eden says
Mine has to be some scrumptious homemade lemon curd & berries of your choice, mines blueberries as lemon & blueberries are a match made in heaven and of course fresh cream, if there was ever a good excuse to splurge on calories it has to be pavlova ! My mums a pastry chef so I’ve never tried a bought pav, but these look pretty tempting ?
Janelle Cody says
My favourite is strawberries & kiwifruit, blueberry is also nice
Teresa says
You can’t go pass the classic strawberries and cream. However I do like to try different things such as passion fruit, toasted coconut, pomegranate and always with a copious amount of chocolate flake.
Denise Palmer says
Oh we so love having a special pav on Christmas day…topped with whipped cream and then raspberries piled on top, then drizzled with raspberry sauce and melted dark chocolate…yum
Danielle ziegler says
Mixed Berries and whipped cream but my kids love them with kiwi fruit and chocolate flake 🙂
Karen Mabey says
I love strawberries, whipped cream & chocolate shavings on our pavs. 🙂
Gilly Huggett says
And I thought I was the only one who could not make a pav! I had a Fijian gardener who could make them well but alas he has died. So when I come to NZ for Xmas – Countdown and Cowells it will have to be! I will try the addition of the vanilla pud to the cream topping though that goes against the grain a bit. Last years effort at a pav was so disastrous I turned it into an Eton Mess! So all was not lost and my reputation as a ‘good’ cook rescued as well!
justamumnz says
Yes thank goodness for Eton Mess!!! Cowell’s will definitely save the day xx
felicity smith says
cream and kiwifruit for me
Anna says
I have a few favourite toppings but whipped cream is essential on all! Then accompanied with berries, passionfruit or chocolate shavings. If you want a tart and sweet variant a bit of lemon curd drizzled over the top is delicious too. PS Also a fan of the purchased pav as I have no luck making myself, so for now that job remains with Gran.
Anna King says
I love heaps of cream topped with strawberries and raspberries, with passionfruit pulp spooned over it all.
carol-ann says
My favourite topping is cream and Kiwi Fruit thats a kiwi Christmas the right way
Kelly Blackie says
I did not know you could freeze a pav! I love kiwifruit and lashings of whipped cream!!
justamumnz says
Isn’t it great!! You can freeze the Cowell’s pavlova so no Christmas week rush!! ?
Loretta Smith says
I have to admit that this year I have finally managed to make a rolled pavalova and it’s devine. Fav toppings are kiwifruit strawberry and crushed flakes. Yummo ?
Angela Wallace says
I am a bit of a traditionalist and I do like either strawberries and cream or kiwifruit and cream. However, I have recently had it with Passionfruit pulp and that was amazing too!
Ra Crean says
Oh yes delectable!! I love strawberries, cream and gold kiwifruit with flake sprinkled on top <3 <3 What a fantastic gift Thank you 🙂 <3
Donna Scott says
My favourite topping is any fredh berries available at the time. Piled high on the cream with a sprig of mint for colour. Pav’s are the easiest things to make. So simple and a hit with everyone!! Merry Christmas.
Tui Amohanga says
Whipped Cream and Mixed Berries and a Chocolate Flake sprinkled on top. I am going to give this cream mixture a try this Christmas, it sounds so good!!!
Tara says
Usually it’s plain old cream and strawberries, but a layer of chocolate mousse made with cream and some raspberries would work well for a change.
Aniek says
Favourite pavlova topping is fresh pine apple with mint sugar and unsweetened cream!!!!! Different but The best!!!!
Emily says
I love chocolate and cherry with a vanilla cream cheese topping, so delicious!
Kate says
Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries whipped cream and sprinkle some flake chocolate over.
kaella says
Would have to be a heap of fresh mixed berries and a drizzle of berry sauce along with fresh whipped cream.
Brianna Asplin says
Just the classic whipped cream and strawberries on top I love.
Jeanette says
Sorry Anna nothing can beat my Mum’s pav it is something I miss a lot. Her’s without fail would come out of the oven looking perfect but then crash. She would get so upset, but that was the best part as the crater was filled with cream and the best bits were the crunchy meringue around the outside. I have yet to emulate it. Need a better oven for a start!!
Sophie C says
did she used to leave it in the oven to cool? i think my mum leaves hers for about 4 hours in the oven to prevent it from cracking when it comes out
Rachael says
I dont like the crunch of homemade pavs either the only homemade ones i eat are mums pavlova roll which is soft like a Cowells one with cream and chunks of dark choc. I will however help myself to a slice of Cowell’s pavlova if its on offer
MrsPet says
Cream with fresh strawberries either whole or halved depending on the size for a special treat I sometimes crumble a flake over it,
Sarah says
I am breastfeeding but my son has a dairy intolerance so the other day I tried pavlova with coconut yoghurt and strawberries and it was devine! I actually preferred it over whipped cream, bonus!!
Donna-Marie says
I too agree, Cowells pavs are the best !
Just srawberry and cream topping for me ☺
Claire says
Passionfruit pulp…mmm
Nikki Polomka says
My fat topping for pav is passion fruit, strawberries, and fresh cream with icing sugar! Yummo!
Chrystal Steiner says
Has to be strawberries and whipped cream!! yum
Melissa Reynolds says
I love fresh summer berries on my pavlova with cherries drool… I love passionfruit sauce with mine but ths kids are put off by the seeds, so I have it as a condiment and have chocolate sauce for them 🙂
Daina Gloyn says
Home grown berries, fresh cream and dark chocolate shavings nom nom nom
Kris van de Water says
Whipped Cream, Peaches & grated chocolate
Sandi McDonald says
My fav topping is whipped cream, strawberries & passionfruit! Yummyumyum!
MichelleH says
Lemon Pavlova using lemon curd and candied peel is a winner if you fancy something a bit different! Another favourite of mine is a Pavlova with liqueur mascarpone and berry compote. Not only does it taste fabulous, you don’t have to share it with the kids 🙂
Stacey says
I’ve never eaten pav but strawberries are a winner here. Especially home grown ones
kim says
Cream strawberries and flake sprinkled on top ive not tryed that instant pudding but will this year a fab idea
Gwen McCaughan says
I love it topped with Strawberries & raspberries & with chocolate or caramel sauce drizzled all over it!! Love pav!
Sophie C says
My favourite pav topping is whipped cream with cinnamon in it, home made caramel sauce and toasted slithered almonds.
I have never tried a bought pav, that would be a bit of a taboo in my family since my mum is a great pav maker. However I don’t actually like hers, I hate the crunchy outside of a pav, but I love the soft inside. The Cowell’s Pavalova looks delish though, not a thick crunchy outside to be seen. I think I will have to make my own family tradition by trying one of these, I think my boys will love it too 🙂
Anna says
Just cream love the instant pudding tip.berries on the side as mr 13 doesnt like berries.
Aimee Gibson says
mmm pavlova for breakfast 😉 I’d go kiwifruit and crumbled flake bar on top with lashings of whipped cream!
kim says
Strawberrys and flake sprinkled over the top
Amanda Bryant says
I love whipped cream frsh raspberries and crumbled flake chocolate yummy
Lucy says
Whipped cream with fresh strawberries on top and sprinkled generously with grated peppermint chocolate. (Cadbury’s Oreo Chocolate Mint) Sooo good. Even better on a Cowells pavlova that is perfect everytime – no dessert stress for the cook ever!
Melissa Lee says
love a coffee mocha pav!! especially when its for breakfast! i too use the instant pud trick with my cream but use a choc instant pud with a shot of espresso!! shaved choc on top!! lovely jubbly
Cushla Kemp says
My fave topping would be cream flavoured with a bit of vanilla essence and icing sugar, strawberries and grated chocolate.
Elise says
My favourite topping is not a topping as such, but a hidden filling inside the pav. Cut a circle from the top of the pav (saving the lid), scoop out the inside and fill with chocolate mousse. Replace the lid, top with cream and fruit like usual then surprise your guests with a chocolate mousse centred pavlova 🙂
justamumnz says
Brilliant!
Rachael McArthur-Andrew says
love mine with wipped cream(with a little icing sugar added) and strawberries. yum!
Nerissa says
Apart from the tried and true cream and strawberries / kiwifruit my new favourite is mango freshly sliced on top of the pav
Theresa Te whaiti says
Berries and cream
Ange says
I always put whipped cream then mix up chopped green kiwifruit, strawberries, passionfruit pulp, arrange wresth style on the top then sprinkle with pomegranate. It looks festive & tastes delicious!
Susan Wood says
Would have to be strawberries and sliced kiwifruit piled on the whipped cream.
Kirsty Rackham says
I only buy these also. So much easier. I love fresh passion fruit pulp the best but normally put strawberries and broken up flake on it. I’ve never tried adding pudding Mix to the cream so will have to give that a go.
Rebecca says
Gotta love passionfruit on pav – pulp or curd yum yum
Megan McQuarrie says
I love pav, my mum makes the best ones ever!! Whipped cream and fresh blueberries make the best topping!!
Margriet says
Well dear one, I don’t know your name but could you tell me why my pavlova is allways sinked in the next morning after I baked it the night before and leave it in the oven to cool down.
I use the Edmonds recipe
justamumnz says
Good Morning, it seems to be a common theme among the Pavlova Questions on google! It could be the recipe, the temperature, the cooking time, any number of things! As I am not a pavlova baker (I tend to buy mine!) I cannot be of much help I am sorry. That being said once it is smothered in cream and berries then I assume no one notices haha
Margaret says
My favourite topping is fresh passion fruit it cuts through the sweetness and cream, so yummy
Rachelle says
My favourite ever dessert! The best topping (ONLY topping I like) is whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Yum!
Penny says
I’ve never made one either and now know it’s the best thing to do! Love pav covered in as many different sorts of berries as I can source!!