Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova with Ganache

[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/4″ style=”padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 1px; “][x_text class=”center-text “]by Kristin Hoffman[/x_text][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”3/4″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]My husband and I became friends a few months before we ever started dating. He was easy to be around and easy to talk to. We clicked almost immediately. Not necessarily in a way that made me know we were going to be together. But we very easily became good friends. When we first started thinking of each other on a more romantic level, our relationship developed quickly. It made sense. It was easy to be together and I very quickly knew he was the man I would spend my life with.I have a vivid memory of being out with him and a group of co-workers in a loud and crowded bar. He and I were talking for quite a long time and, as cheesy as it sounds, it was if nobody else was in the room. But then there was this point when I suddenly became aware of two of our friends staring at us. One of them stated, “You two are so in love!” I thought they were teasing. The way you would immaturely tease a friend about their new crush. But I know now that they were right. We were in love, or at least falling in love. And I had never truly done that before. I didn’t recognize it at the time because I thought love had to be messy and difficult. I thought that you had to really fight for love and force it to work. That is what all “love” had been like for me before. But this was different. It was incredibly easy and natural to be together. We respected each other and truly listened to each other. We didn’t fight with each other and we didn’t have to fight for each other. I am thankful for him every single day.I’ve been really inspired to create desserts with meringue lately. It is so versatile and I have been using it to make all kinds of things over on my blog. For our February issue where we are celebrating our “special someones”, whoever that may be, I wanted to make a pavlova! I think pavlovas are so beautiful and impressive looking yet they are so easy to create. I flavored this pavlova with cocoa powder and a hint of balsamic vinegar.
The vinegar helps to stabilize the meringue but also adds a bit of tanginess. I also piled on barely sweet whipped cream, rich chocolate ganache, raspberry syrup, and fresh raspberries. The outside is crispy but the inside stays so moist and chewy. It is definitely a dessert meant for pampering a special someone!

I talk about my husband during this month of pampering because he is my favorite person to pamper. But I’m pretty fond of pampering myself too, and in fact, I think we should all do that more! Baking is my natural go to for spoiling someone, or spoiling myself, and chocolate is an obvious choice. Whoever your special someone is, I encourage you to take some time to really show them how much they mean to you. A crisp yet chewy pavlova piled high with whipped cream, ganache, and raspberries says “I love you” loud and clear!

Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova with Ganache

This recipe is only available in the VRAI Magazine Seasons – a Sampling of Seasonal Recipes that Inspire, digital cookbook. Get it here.

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