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Meringue Cake

17/11/2023

The meringue cake is a delicious dessert made up of a cake base and meringue topping. There are various versions; here I propose a classic version, with a soft cake base, filled with cream, and then covered with meringue.

Ingredients for the cake base:

  • 200 g of all-purpose flour
  • 100 g of room temperature butter
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 packet of baking powder
  • A pinch of salt

Ingredients for the custard:

  • 500 ml of milk
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 40 g of cornstarch (cornflour)
  • The grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Ingredients for the meringue:

  • 4 egg whites
  • 200 g of sugar
  • A pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Begin by preparing the cake base. Cream the butter with the sugar until you have a frothy mixture. Add one egg at a time, blending well before adding the next.
  2. Add the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt, continuing to mix until you have a smooth dough.
  3. Pour the mixture into a previously buttered and floured cake tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 25-30 minutes.
  4. In the meantime, prepare the custard. Heat the milk with the lemon zest in a saucepan, without bringing to a boil.
  5. In a bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar until you have a light and frothy mixture. Incorporate the cornstarch.
  6. Add the hot milk to the yolk mixture, removing the lemon zest, and mix. Transfer everything back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the cream thickens.
  7. When the cake base is ready and has cooled, spread the cream over it.
  8. For the meringue, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they are almost stiff. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to whip until you have a glossy and firm meringue.
  9. Spread the meringue over the custard, and with a spoon, create peaks and waves for a decorative effect.
  10. Cook the cake in the oven, still on at 180 °C, for another 5-10 minutes or until the meringue has taken on a golden color.
  11. Let the meringue cake cool before serving.

Trivia

The meringue, a simple and refined dessert, owes its name to the small village of Meiringen in Switzerland, where it is said to have been created. This dessert marries two pastry techniques: that of the cream and that of the meringue, for a result that is a true pleasure for the palate.

I suggest you try this meringue cake with an Italian touch by adding, if you like, a few drops of limoncello to the cream to accentuate the citrus flavor.

Meringue Cake