Rose Pavlova Cakes

1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine egg whites and rose petal powder in the bowl of a stand mixer; beat until soft peaks form. Start beating in 1/2 cup sugar gradually. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff and glossy peaks form. Mix in vanilla extract and rose extract. Fold cornstarch very gently into the meringue using a spatula.

3. Spoon meringue into a piping bag fitted with a fine round tip. Pipe into 18 individual rounds.

4. Bake in the preheated oven until edges appear dry, 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn off oven and leave pavlovas inside the oven for another 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.

5. Beat cream cheese in a bowl for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and 2 tablespoons sugar; beat until fluffy. Spoon whipped cream into another piping bag.

6. Pipe whipped cream over cooled pavlovas. Decorate with dried rose petals.

Cook's Notes:

Substitute 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar for the cornstarch, if preferred.

To make rose petal powder, grind 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried rose petals in a grinder. Now you can use this powder in any recipe you want.

Add food coloring to the whipped cream if desired.

Editor's Note:

This recipe appears as "Strawberry-Rose Pavlova Cakes with Pink Peppercorns" in Allrecipes Magazine and was modified to include strawberry jam and pink peppercorns for a fruity-peppery pop of flavor.