Yogurt Cake with Nut Meringue

To make a delicious yogurt cake, you need a few essential ingredients and a bit of patience. We start by whisking the egg yolks well with sugar and vanilla sugar, mixing until we obtain a fluffy and homogeneous cream. This process is crucial to allow air to be incorporated into the mixture, which will ensure a fluffy texture of the cake. After achieving this cream, we add half of the yogurt, gently mixing to avoid losing the incorporated air.

The next step involves adding soft butter, cut into small pieces, for easier incorporation into the mixture. Once the butter is well integrated, we add the grated lemon zest, which will provide a special fragrance, full of freshness. We continue by adding the remaining yogurt and baking soda, mixing carefully. Now it’s time to add the raisins or candied fruits, diced according to preference, for an extra flavor. Finally, we begin to incorporate the freshly sifted flour until we obtain a soft dough, similar to sour cream, that flows easily.

Once the mixture is ready, we pour the dough into the loaf pan, which has been previously lined with baking paper, ensuring it is evenly distributed. We place the pan in the preheated oven, at a moderate heat, and patiently wait for it to bake. The cake is ready when it becomes nicely browned and passes the toothpick test, meaning the toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake.

While the cake is baking, we take care of the egg whites. We beat them into stiff peaks, adding a pinch of salt, which will help stabilize the foam. We carefully fold in the ground walnuts, which will add a crunchy texture and rich flavor. In a separate saucepan, we heat the apricot jam or marmalade until it becomes slightly fluid, which will make it easier to spread on the cake.

After the cake is baked, we remove the pan from the oven and spread the warm jam over its surface. We then add the beaten egg whites, keeping them as airy as possible. We return the pan to the oven, reducing the heat to a minimum, and let it bake until the egg whites form a golden crust and become firm. Once ready, we take the cake out onto a rack and let it cool completely. It is ideal to slice and serve it as a dessert or snack, perfect alongside a cup of tea or coffee. This recipe will delight your friends and family, providing them with an unforgettable culinary experience.