Sugar-Free Keto Pavlova Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much can I reduce sugar in meringue? ›

For the meringue you would usually use 50-60g sugar per egg white, so reducing the sugar from the 250g/1¼ cups in the recipe to 200g/1 cup should not make a big difference, though a higher level of sugar will give the meringue a slightly crisper crust and stronger structure.

Vinegar added to the meringue will lower the pH of the egg whites. This acidic environment will also help to stabilize the egg white foam, preventing the meringue from collapsing too much. The acidity helps to unravel the protein and prevent the proteins from binding together too tightly.

Sugar free sweeteners are fine and will not prevent ketosis, although it is preferable to use a liquid suspension (Splenda drops etc) because the powdered form does have some carbs. To maintain ketosis you really must avoid all sugar except that naturally found in fruits and vegetables.

A pavlova will “weep” a sugary syrup when the sugar hasn't been completely dissolved. You can prevent this by: don't overwhisk your egg whites: keep the mixer speed on med to medium-high. If you over whisk the egg whites, they will become grainy, lose their structure and not able to hold the sugar.

Sugar free meringue cookies are soft while they're warm. They crisp up as they cool down and should NOT stick to the baking paper. You can make the recipe with only powdered erythritol - simply use 4.5 tablespoons of erythritol or an erythritol mix such as Swerve.

Use ultrafine Baker's Sugar for meringues and other baked goods – it dissolves faster than regular granulated sugar. Use ultrafine Baker's Sugar to help prevent “weeping” or sogginess.

Some pavlova recipes call for mixing cornstarch into the sugar before adding it to the egg whites. While this old family recipe is made without cornstarch, some say it helps to absorb any extra moisture, keeping the meringue completely dry, which could be especially helpful in humid environments.

If this is a concern to you then it is fine to use other types of acid for the meringue. We would avoid using malt vinegar or balsamic vinegar as they have a very strong flavour and could affect the flavour of the meringue. Lemon juice is an ideal alternative, or you could use cream of tartar.

The secret to a good, crisp pavlova is in the drying of the meringue after cooking. If there is a lot of moisture in the air, whether from humidity or even other cooking you are doing in the kitchen, you will have problems. That's why the “Pavlova Nazi” in me insists on no boiling saucepans during pav time.

Allulose is a game-changer in keto baking. This rare sugar mimics the taste and texture of traditional sugar, making it an ideal substitute in recipes. With 70% of the sweetness of sucrose and negligible caloric value, allulose can be used to create soft, moist baked goods without affecting blood sugar levels.

Will stevia break ketosis? ›

Stevia can be 250–300 times sweeter than sucrose — commonly known as table sugar — meaning people do not need much to achieve the same sweetness level. It also contains little to no carbs or calories, making it suitable for a keto diet.

The Drawbacks of Allulose

While not many side effects have been identified, it's possible that when consumed in higher amounts, allulose may cause GI upset due to its poor absorption. In addition, some research shows that allulose may promote the growth of certain bacteria associated with poor effects on gut health.

What's the Difference Between Pavlova and Meringue? Pavlovas and meringues are both made of whipped egg white, but a Pavlova has a delicate crispy exterior with pillowy soft marshmallow inside, while meringue is dry and crisp all the way through.

Rice flour can be a suitable substitute for corn flour in many baking recipes, including pavlova, as it helps to achieve a light and airy texture.

Egg whites can be over whisked & sugar will not dissolve in over whisked egg whites. I've noticed on a lot of stand mixers that the stated speed for whisking egg whites is nearly full bore. If you whisk them at this set speed you will not have enough time to add the sugar before the egg whites are over whisked.

How much sugar and how much egg white do we need? According to most bakers, you'll need 30-60g sugar per egg white (we are assuming large eggs). The less sugar, the softer the meringue.

Experiment with reducing the amount of sugar the recipe calls for. Up to 1/3 of the sugar in most recipes can be taken out without a noticeable difference. You should not reduce all the sugar in a recipe, as it is still needed for taste and texture.

Some recipes may call for adding an acid like cream of tartar, vinegar, or lemon juice, and typically 1/8 teaspoon of any of these per egg white is enough to give aid. Sugar also stabilizes egg whites and can be added in little by little near the end of the whipping duration.

The answer: surprisingly quite low. A typical pavlova recipe might have a ratio of 1/4 cup of sugar per egg white in the recipe. I found that I could cut the sugar in half with no noticeable impact on texture and taste. So I kept testing and reducing the sugar.