Super Fluffy Cake with Apples, Vanilla, and Meringue

Name: Super Fluffy Cake with Apples, Vanilla, and Meringue - Gratiana D.
Ingredients: 2 kg apples; juice from 1 lemon; butter for the baking dish / heat; resistant vessel; 3; 4 tablespoons sugar; 7 egg yolks; 7 tablespoons sugar; 1 l milk; 8; 9 tablespoons flour; 1 teaspoon vanilla essence; 100 g butter; optional; 7 egg whites; 1 small glass of sugar or to taste

Desert - Super Fluffy Cake with Apples, Vanilla, and Meringue by Gratiana D. - Recipia

To prepare the delicious and aromatic apple pie, start by peeling and coring the apples. Choose your favorite apples, the best being slightly tart ones that pair perfectly with the sweetness of sugar. Slice the apples into thin wedges, rounds, or cubes according to your preference, and immediately drizzle them with lemon juice to prevent oxidation. This technique not only preserves the color of the apples but also adds a touch of freshness. Next, transfer the apples to a buttered ovenproof dish, making sure to arrange them in a single layer as much as possible. Now, evenly sprinkle the 3-4 tablespoons of sugar over the apples. This step will help create a delicious syrup during baking. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and place the dish with apples in for about 10 minutes, or until the apples start to soften and release their juices. Meanwhile, prepare the vanilla cream. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the same amount of sugar until you achieve a frothy, whitish cream where the sugar is completely dissolved. Heat the milk in a saucepan, and when it reaches boiling point, gradually pour it over the egg yolk mixture, stirring constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling. Gently add the flour, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. Place the saucepan on low heat and let it simmer gently, stirring continuously, until the cream thickens. Finally, add the vanilla essence, and if desired, you can incorporate a bit of butter for extra creaminess, stirring until it completely melts. Once the apples have caramelized, remove the dish from the oven and pour the cream evenly over the apples. Put the dish back in the preheated oven at 160 degrees Celsius for about 34-45 minutes, or until the cream sets and a light crust forms on top. During baking, beat the egg whites with sugar until you achieve a stiff meringue. Once the cream has set, add the meringue on top, smoothing it out. Return the dish to the oven for another 10-15 minutes at 150 degrees Celsius, until the meringue turns golden and firm. After baking, turn off the oven and let the dish cool inside for 20 minutes. Then, remove the pie onto a cooling rack and let it cool completely. At the time of serving, slice the pie and enjoy each piece, relishing the sweet-tart flavors of the apples, the creamy combination of the cream, and the light texture of the meringue. This apple pie will surely be a hit at any celebration or gathering with friends!