Pavlova With Nutella Mousse

Makes 6 large servings or 12 small servings

For meringue:
1 cup superfine granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 large egg whites at room temperature for 30 minutes
pinch of salt
3 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

For Nutella mousse:
1 jar of Nutella (13.25 ounces/375 grams)
8 ounces mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons whole milk

Fresh thinly sliced bananas, to garnish
Dark chocolate curls, to garnish

1. Make meringue: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with the rack in the middle.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Whisk together the superfine sugar and the cornstarch in a small bowl.  In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with the pinch of salt using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks.  Add the water (the whites will loosten when you do this) and then beat the whites until they hold soft peaks again.  Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat in the sugar mixture 1 tablespoon at a time.  When all the sugar has been added, beat for 1 additional minute.

3. Add the vinegar and beat the meringue at a high speed until it is glossy and holds stiff peaks.  With a large spoon, drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in 6 mounds (or 12 small mounds), spaced 2 inches apart.  Using the back of the spoon, make a depression in the center of each mound (the depression is for the mousse).

4. Place the meringues in the oven.  Immediately reduce the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.  Bake until the meringues are dry on the outside (but centers remain soft) and are a pale straw color, and lift easily from the parchment, about 45 minutes.  Turn the oven off and prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon.  Leave the meringue in the oven to cool for 1 hour.

5. Make the Nutella mousse while the meringues bake: Combine the Nutella, mascarpone cheese, and milk in a large bowl.  Using an electric mixer, beat together the ingredients on medium-high speed until the mousse lightens and is smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

6. Assemble Pavlova: Very carefully remove the meringues from the parchment paper (I find it easier to try and peel the paper from the back of the meringues rather than trying to lift the meringues from the paper).  Spoon the Nutella mousse into the meringue and add thinly sliced bananas and chocolate curls on top.

* For the best results, keep the oven door closed as much as possible during baking.  The meringues can be made 2 days ahead and frozen, wrapped well in plastic.  Thaw before serving.