CHOCOLATE DATE MERINGUE

1. Create a template by drawing 3 rectangles, 220mm x 100mm in size, on a piece of baking paper. Place the sheet of baking paper, ink side down, onto a baking tray. Set aside until required.
2. Heat the oven to 140˚C, fan forced.
3. Chop the dates into pieces, approximately 10mm in size.
4. Finely chop the pecan nuts, milk and dark chocolates.
5. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the egg whites and cream of tartar. Whisk until the egg whites reach a medium peak.
6. Gradually add the sugar to the egg whites and continue to whisk until the meringue reaches a stiff peak.
7. Gently fold through the dates, pecan nuts and chocolate through the meringue.
8. Divide the meringue evenly between the 3 rectangle templates.
9. Bake in the pre-heated oven for approximately 55 minutes.
10. Allow to cool at room temperature.
11. Once cool, remove from the baking paper, wrap in plastic wrap and store in the freezer until required.

NO-CHURN MILK CHOCOLATE ICE-CREAM

1. Place a container into the freezer.
2. Place the cream (A) and liquid glucose into a saucepan. Cut and scrape the vanilla bean, add the seeds and pod into the saucepan. Bring to the boil.
3. Meanwhile, place the milk chocolate in a bowl.
4. Strain the boiled cream mixture through a sieve over the chocolate. Whisk until the chocolate has completely melted and combined.
5. Add the cream (B) and whisk to combine.
6. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap touching the surface and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 5 hours.
7. Once the milk chocolate cream mixture has chilled, place the condensed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
8. Pour the milk chocolate cream mixture over the condensed milk and whisk on high speed until soft peaks form.
9. Transfer the mixture into the pre-chilled container, cover and place into the freezer for 4 hours before assembling the cake.

NOTE: The ice cream can be stored in the freezer overnight, however it will then need to sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours, to soften, before assembling the cake.

ASSEMBLY

1. Place a small amount of ice cream on the serving plate to secure the first pavlova rectangle.
2. Spread a third of the milk chocolate ice cream over the meringue.
3. Repeat this process with the remaining meringue rectangles and ice cream.
4. Place the stacked cake into the freezer until ready to serve.
5. Prior to serving, garnish the top of the cake with pecan nuts and chopped milk chocolate.