Delicious Cake

Delicious Cake: A Sweet Experience with Meringue and Red Currant Jam

Who can resist a cake that combines crunchy textures, delicate flavors, and a tangy taste? The Delicious Cake is a modern take on classic layered cakes, such as Deliciu or Parlament, but with a personal touch that makes it truly special. This recipe combines a crunchy meringue base, a fragrant vanilla cream, delicious red currant jam, and a bit of chocolate, creating a dessert that will impress any guest.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Number of servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

For the base:
- 8 egg whites
- 8 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons semolina
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 7 tablespoons roasted and ground walnuts
- 300 g roasted walnuts, broken into large pieces
- A pinch of salt
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 packet baking powder
- Vanilla to taste

For the cream:
- 8 egg yolks
- 7 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- Vanilla to taste
- 300 g butter (at room temperature)
- 200 g heavy cream
- Red currant jam (about 200 g)

For decoration:
- 200 g caramelized hazelnuts
- White chocolate flakes
- Grated chocolate

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the meringue base

1. Preparing the utensils: Start by preparing a baking tray lined with parchment paper. This will help with the easy removal of the meringue layers after baking.

2. Whip the egg whites: In a clean bowl, add the egg whites and a pinch of salt. Use an electric mixer to start whipping them. When they become frothy, gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, continuing to mix until you achieve a stiff and glossy foam.

3. Add the dry ingredients: In another bowl, mix the semolina, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and ground walnuts. Gently fold this mixture into the meringue with a spatula, being careful not to deflate the foam.

4. Baking: Pour the meringue mixture into the prepared tray, sprinkle the large pieces of roasted walnuts on top, and place in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes, or until the base turns golden and firm to the touch. After baking, let it cool in the tray.

Step 2: Preparing the vanilla cream

1. Preparing the egg mixture: In a bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sugar and the two tablespoons of water. Transfer the mixture to a double boiler, stirring constantly until it becomes creamy and changes color. It’s ready when you can draw a visible line with your finger on the back of a wooden spoon.

2. Cooling: Once the mixture has cooled, add the room-temperature butter and mix until you obtain a smooth cream. If desired, you can add vanilla for extra flavor.

3. Incorporating the cream: In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until firm. Add the egg cream by the tablespoon, gently mixing to maintain the airiness.

Step 3: Assembling the cake

1. Layering the meringue: Once the meringue base has completely cooled, carefully invert it onto a serving platter. This will be the base of your delicious cake.

2. The jam layer: Spread a generous layer of red currant jam over the base, ensuring it reaches the corners.

3. Adding the cream: Add half of the vanilla cream, smoothing it evenly.

4. The honey layer: If you have prepared a honey cake layer (see separate recipe), place it over the vanilla cream. If not, you can skip this step or use another layer of cookies.

5. Finishing: Cover with the remaining cream, then decorate with caramelized hazelnuts, white chocolate flakes, and grated chocolate.

6. Cooling: Let the cake chill in the refrigerator for a few hours, preferably overnight, to set and allow the flavors to meld.

Useful tips

- Nuts: You can substitute walnuts with hazelnuts or almonds, depending on your preferences. Choose roasted nuts for a more intense flavor.
- Jam: If you don’t have red currant jam, you can use any other tangy jam, such as raspberry or blueberry.
- Cream: Add a few drops of almond essence to the cream for a more refined taste.
- Serving: The Delicious Cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of green tea or a strong espresso.

Nutritional benefits

This cake is rich in protein due to the eggs, and the nuts provide a generous supply of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. The red currant jam offers antioxidants, while the heavy cream adds a note of creaminess, also being a source of calcium.

Frequently asked questions

1. What can I do if I don’t have all the ingredients?
You can experiment with other types of nuts or jams, and instead of heavy cream, you can use Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

2. How can I store the cake?
The cake stores well in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for 3-4 days. It is even better the next day when the flavors have melded.

3. Can it be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the cake, but it is recommended to slice it before freezing. Make sure it is well covered to prevent freezer burn.

By following these steps and with a little patience, your Delicious Cake will become a family and friends' favorite, offering an unforgettable experience with every slice. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: For the base: 8 egg whites 8 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons semolina 3 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons starch 7 tablespoons roasted and ground walnuts 300 g roasted walnuts broken into large pieces Salt Lemon juice packet of baking powder Vanilla For the cream: 8 egg yolks 7 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons water Vanilla 300 g butter 200 g whipped cream Red currant jam I also used a sheet from the honey cake, which replaced a layer of biscuits For decoration: 200 g caramelized hazelnuts White chocolate flakes Grated chocolate

 Tags:  meringue cake