Meringue cake

Meringue Cake with Delicious Cream

A meringue cake is an excellent choice for any occasion, from birthdays to festive meals or simply to pamper guests over the weekend. This recipe, inspired by sweet home traditions, combines light and delicate textures with fresh fruit flavors, creating a dessert that will delight your senses. Get ready to impress with a meringue cake that not only looks spectacular but is also delicious!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10

Ingredients:

For the meringue:
- 4 egg whites
- 12 tablespoons of sugar
- A pinch of salt

For the cream:
- 250 ml of milk
- 1 vanilla bean
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 200 g of butter (at room temperature)
- 4 egg yolks

For assembly:
- Fresh fruits (banana, kiwi, strawberries, or other seasonal fruits)

Step-by-Step Preparation:

1. Preparing the Meringue:
- Start by preheating the oven to 100°C. This step is crucial to allow the meringue to dry evenly and become crispy.
- In a clean bowl, add the egg whites and a pinch of salt. Use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. This process may take a few minutes, so be patient!
- Add 3 tablespoons of sugar and continue to mix until the sugar is completely dissolved, then gradually add the remaining 9 tablespoons of sugar while mixing constantly. The meringue is ready when it becomes glossy and forms firm peaks – a sign that you have achieved the perfect consistency.

2. Shaping and Baking the Meringue:
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Using a piping bag (or simply a spoon), form 3 identical circles of meringue on the paper, ensuring they are uniform in size.
- Place the tray in the oven for about 1 hour. The meringue should be dry on the outside and slightly crispy. Once the time is up, turn off the oven and let the meringue cool completely inside to prevent cracking.

3. Preparing the Cream:
- In a saucepan, pour the milk and add the split vanilla bean, without the seeds. Bringing the milk to a boil will release the delicate aroma of vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks with the cornstarch and sugar. When the milk starts to boil, remove the vanilla bean and pour the warm milk over the yolk mixture, stirring continuously to avoid curdling.
- Return the mixture to the heat and cook on low, stirring constantly. You will notice the cream beginning to thicken. This process is important for achieving a velvety texture.
- Once the cream has thickened, remove it from the heat and cover it with plastic wrap, directly on the surface of the cream, to prevent a crust from forming. Let it cool to room temperature.
- After it has cooled, add the cubed butter and mix well until you obtain a smooth cream.

4. Assembling the Cake:
- Place the first layer of meringue on a serving platter. Spread a portion of cream, followed by a layer of fresh fruits (banana and kiwi make excellent combinations).
- Continue with another layer of cream, then add the second layer of meringue. Repeat the process: cream, fruits, cream, and finally, place the last layer of meringue.
- The final layer will be the cream, and for decoration, use fresh fruits, arranging them artistically on top.

5. Serving and Suggestions:
- Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for an hour before serving. This way, the flavors will combine perfectly, and the meringue will be slightly moist due to the cream.
- This meringue cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee, but also with a glass of champagne for a special occasion.

Tips and Tricks:
- Make sure all utensils and bowls are completely dry, as any trace of fat can affect the volume of the meringue.
- You can experiment with different fruits, such as peaches or raspberries, to give a personal touch to the cake.
- If you want a less sweet meringue cake, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the meringue or the cream.

Nutritional Values (per estimated serving):
- Calories: approximately 350 kcal
- Fat: 24 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Protein: 5 g

Meringue has a long and fascinating history, with roots in ancient pastry techniques, and its popularity has grown due to its light and delicate texture. This meringue and fruit cake recipe is not just a dessert, but a culinary experience that brings joy and refinement to any moment of the day.

Enjoy this meringue cake in the company of loved ones and don't forget to share the recipe! It's a perfect choice to bring a smile to everyone's face and create sweet memories.