RECIPE BELOW! This week we are going all out with this Chocolate + Hazelnut Holiday Spread! Meringue Mounds, Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, Chocolate Hazelnut Pavlova (which shall now be known as Slablova!😆) and even chocolate covered hazelnuts!


CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT SLABLOVA RECIPE:
INGREDIENTS FOR PAVLOVA:
8 large egg whites, room temperature
1 3/4 cups + 2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp white vinegar
2 tsp cornstarch

FOR THE FILLING:
Yo's Chocolate Hazelnut Buttercream from Layer Up! (or your favorite chocolate hazelnut buttercream/frosting recipe!)
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a 15x10-inch baking sheet with parchment paper, making sure the paper rises 2cm over the sides of the pan.
2. For the meringue base, start off by wiping down a large bowl with vinegar (this removes any residual fat that can deflate your meringue). Either using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed for about 1 minute, or until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar 1 Tbsp at a time, beating constantly for 5 minutes. The meringue will become thick and glossy.
3. Turn the speed down the low, and add the vanilla extract, vinegar, and cornstarch. Increase the speed to medium and beat for a minute, or until fully combined.
4. Use a rubber spatula to to spread the meringue out evenly into the prepared pan, and place in the preheated oven and immediately lower the temperature to 400F. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the meringue is pale beige in color and crusty on top. Remove from the oven and set aside in the pan until completely cool. The meringue will deflate slightly as it cools! 
5. Once the meringue is complete cool, place a clean kitchen towel on top of the meringue and gently flip it onto a dry work surface. The crisp top of the meringue should be facing down. Lift the pan off and carefully peel away the parchment paper. 
6. Use a rubber spatula to spread your filling(s) of choice across the meringue.
7. Starting from the longest side close to you, use the kitchen towel to help roll the meringue up and over, gently pulling away the kitchen towel as you roll. 
8. Gently slide the meringue on a long platter, seam side facing down. If the meringue loses its shape, don't worry! You can use your hands to gently pull it back together into a log-shape.
9. Pipe more chocolate hazelnut buttercream on the top of the pavlova, and decorate however you'd like! We used Ferrero Rocher chocolates, chopped hazelnuts, and chocolate creme wafer cookies. Enjoy immediately!