GREEN APPLE PAVLOVAS

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 tbsp icing sugar
• 1 tbsp Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
• 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced
• 2 tbsp Bourbon Maple Syrup or maple syrup*

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 225°F.
2. To prepare meringues, use medium speed of an electric mixer and beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Pipe or spoon mounds of egg white mixture, each about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, onto parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 200°F and continue baking until meringues are dry and firm, about 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Let meringues stand for 5 minutes on cookie sheets. Remove from cookie sheets and cool completely on racks.
4. To prepare whipped cream topping, use medium speed of an electric mixer and beat cream until soft peaks form. Beat in icing sugar and Grand Marnier until stiff peaks form.
5. To serve, top each meringue with about 2 tbsp whipped cream topping. Top whipped cream topping with apple slices. Drizzle with Bourbon Maple Syrup.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 2 cups maple syrup
• 1 whole vanilla bean, halved lengthwise or 2 tsp vanilla

Yield: Makes about 2 cups.

Directions

1. Bring bourbon to a simmer in a small non-reactive saucepan and cook, uncovered, for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and vanilla bean. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; remove and discard vanilla bean. May be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.