Strawberry meringue dessert cake

The perfect dessert for sunny days or for moments when you want to treat your loved ones to a simple yet delicious delicacy is the strawberry meringue cake. This recipe, filled with delicate flavors and contrasting textures, combines the sweetness of strawberries with the lightness of meringue, offering a memorable culinary experience. Here’s how to prepare this delightful dessert step by step!

Total preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

- 500 g fresh strawberries
- 7 large eggs
- 14 tablespoons granulated sugar (7 for the batter and 7 for the meringue)
- A pinch of salt
- 7 tablespoons sparkling water
- 5 tablespoons sunflower oil
- ½ packet baking powder
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 10 tablespoons freshly sifted all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Recipe History

The strawberry meringue cake has a rich tradition, often associated with festive meals and special occasions. Strawberries, a symbol of summer, are used in various sweet dishes, while the meringue, with its light and airy texture, perfectly complements fruit desserts. This cake not only delights the senses with its vibrant appearance but also with its flavor combination, quickly becoming a family favorite.

Step by Step

1. Preheat the oven
Start by preheating the oven to 175 degrees Celsius. This step is essential to ensure even baking of the cake.

2. Prepare the strawberries
Wash the strawberries well under cold running water, then hull and quarter them. Make sure to choose ripe strawberries for the sweetest and most flavorful result.

3. Separate the eggs
Separate the egg whites from the yolks, being careful not to leave any yolk in the whites to achieve a perfect meringue.

4. Prepare the batter
In a large bowl, mix the egg yolks with 7 tablespoons of sugar, baking powder, and vanilla sugar. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes light in color and the sugar crystals dissolve.
Add the oil and mix well, then gradually pour in the sparkling water while continuing to mix.
Finally, add the 10 tablespoons of flour, gently folding with a spatula to avoid lumps.

5. Prepare the baking pan
Grease a baking pan with a little oil and line it with 2 tablespoons of rolled oats. This detail will give the cake a pleasant texture and prevent sticking.

6. Pour the batter
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining oats on top and place the strawberry quarters evenly across the surface. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

7. Prepare the meringue
While the cake is baking, prepare the meringue: beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy. Gradually add the 7 tablespoons of granulated sugar, continuing to beat until you achieve a firm meringue. Finally, fold in the lemon juice.

8. Final baking
Remove the pan from the oven after 15 minutes and evenly spread the meringue over the entire surface of the cake. Reduce the oven temperature to 165 degrees Celsius and return the pan to the oven for another 30 minutes, until the meringue turns lightly golden.

9. Cooling and serving
Once the cake is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool in the pan. Slice and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra touch of flavor.

Practical Tips

- Choosing strawberries: Select ripe and juicy strawberries for the best taste. You can also use other seasonal fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, to vary the recipe.
- For perfect meringue: Ensure that the bowl and utensils used for beating the egg whites are clean and dry, with no trace of fat.
- Serving: The cake is delicious both warm and cold. It can be served plain or with warm chocolate sauce for an interesting contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use other fruits instead of strawberries?
Yes, you can substitute strawberries with other berries or peaches, depending on your preferences and the season.

2. What can I do if I don’t have sparkling water?
You can use still water, but sparkling water helps the cake rise better due to the carbon dioxide bubbles.

3. How can I store the cake?
The cake keeps well in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for 2-3 days. The meringue may become soggy if left too long in the fridge.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits

This strawberry meringue cake is not only delicious but also relatively easy to digest. Each serving contains approximately 220 calories, offering a combination of carbohydrates from sugar and flour, protein from eggs, and fiber from the oats. Strawberries provide a boost of vitamin C and antioxidants, benefiting the immune system.

Possible Variations

- Cocoa cake: You can add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter to create a chocolate cake that pairs excellently with strawberries.
- Flavored meringue: Instead of lemon juice, you can add a few drops of almond or vanilla extract to flavor the meringue.

This strawberry meringue cake recipe is not just a dessert; it’s a true cooking experience that brings joy to your heart and to your loved ones. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 500 g strawberries, 7 large farm eggs, 7 + 7 tablespoons of granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, 7 tablespoons of sparkling water, 5 tablespoons of sunflower oil, 1/2 packet of baking powder, 1 packet of vanilla sugar, 10 tablespoons of freshly sifted white flour, 4 tablespoons of oat flakes, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

 Tags:  strawberry meringue cake dessert cake flour eggs sugar oil strawberries oat flakes homemade cookies