Nes Cake with Meringue and Apricots Dipped in Chocolate

To prepare a delicious and appealing dessert, we start by rubbing the egg yolks with a pinch of salt, soft butter, and sugar. This combination should become a fluffy cream that will ensure a fine texture for our bases. We gradually add the milk, making sure it is evenly incorporated into the mixture. Then, we add the coffee and essence, which will provide an intense and savory flavor. Finally, we incorporate the flour mixed with a baking powder, being careful not to form lumps.

We prepare a tray lined with baking paper, ensuring it is well covered to prevent sticking. We pour the obtained mixture into the tray and place it in the preheated oven, leaving it to bake for 5 minutes on high heat, after which we reduce the temperature to a moderate heat and leave it for another 15 minutes. This stage is crucial for obtaining a fluffy and well-browned base.

In the meantime, we take care of the meringue. We mix the egg whites with a pinch of salt, gradually adding the sugar until we obtain a firm, glossy, and stable meringue. This will add a perfect contrast to our bases. If we use canned apricots, we drain them well in a sieve; if we choose fresh apricots, we dip them for 2-3 minutes in boiling water to remove the skin, then rinse them quickly with cold water. After cleaning them, we dip them in melted chocolate in a bain-marie, thus obtaining a delicious and decadent layer. We let them cool for a few minutes for the chocolate to harden.

After the base is baked, we take it out of the oven, score squares on its surface with a knife blade, and form a nest of meringue in each square using a piping bag. We put the tray back in the oven, leaving it for 2 minutes on low heat until the meringue acquires a slight golden hue. Once the meringue is browned, we take the tray out of the oven and cut the base into squares.

After they have cooled, we place half a well-drained canned apricot in each meringue nest, covered with melted chocolate. This dessert not only looks wonderful but will also delight the most discerning gourmets, offering a delicious combination of flavor and texture. Enjoy your meal!