Best 19 Meringue Torte Recipes

CHOCOLATE PECAN MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Draw two 8-inch circles on a sheet of parchment paper and place it on a sheet pan, pencil side down.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt on high speed for one minute, until frothy. With the mixer on high, slowly add the 2/3 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and beat on high for 2 minutes, until it makes firm, glossy peaks.
• Divide the meringue between the two circles and spread into two flat 8-inch disks with a rubber spatula. Bake the meringues for one hour, turn the heat off, and leave the meringues in the oven for 2 hours. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool completely to room temperature on the sheet pan.
• With a large flat spatula, carefully transfer one disk, rounded side up, to a totally flat serving plate. (It's okay if the top cracks a little.) Spread the chocolate pecan filling evenly on top. Place the second meringue, rounded side up, on top.
• Combine the heavy cream, the 2 tablespoons sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high speed until it forms firm peaks. Spread the whipped cream on top of the torte. Decorate with the shaved chocolate and refrigerate for 2 hours or for up to a day and serve cold.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, process the pecans until finely ground. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl set over a pan of simmering water, whisk the eggs, sugar, and cornstarch together, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Whisk the mixture almost constantly, until it is 130 to 140 degrees and thickened like custard. Set aside to cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally.
• Set another bowl over the pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Put the chocolate and espresso in the bowl and heat just until the chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Stir in the Kahlua and vanilla and set aside to cool to room temperature. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then whisk in the butter, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until smooth. Stir in the pecans. The filling can sit at room temperature for up to 4 hours.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE WITH CHERRY PRESERVES AND KIRSCH MERINGUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Whisk together cocoa and boiling water until cocoa dissolves and mixture is smooth. Stir in kirsch.
• Beat butter and 1 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, 1 at a time, scraping down sides of bowl between additions. Add cocoa mixture and almonds, and beat until combined. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Whisk egg whites and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the clean bowl of a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With machine running, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until stiff peaks form. Fold one-quarter of the whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites.
• Pour batter into pan, and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and cover cake with parchment-lined foil. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 45 minutes. Run a knife or an offset spatula around edge of cake to loosen, and release sides of pan to remove.
• Make the meringue: Whisk egg whites and sugar in a clean heatproof bowl of a mixer set over a pan of simmering water until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. Whisk on medium speed until soft peaks form. Whisk in kirsch. Whisk until stiff peaks form.
• Spread cherry preserves on top of cake. Spread meringue over preserves using an offset spatula, making decorative swirls. Caramelize peaks of meringue using a handheld kitchen torch or under the broiler.

FROZEN STRAWBERRY LEMON MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Make the meringue layers:
• Line 2 buttered baking sheets with parchment paper or foil and on them trace 3 circles using the bottom of an 8 1/2-inch springform pan as a guide. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they hold soft peaks, add the sugar gradually, beating, and beat the whites until they hold stiff glossy peaks. Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip, beginning in the middle of each parchment circle pipe the meringue in a tight spiral to fill in each circle, and smooth the tops. Bake the meringues on 2 racks in a preheated 250°F. oven, switching the baking sheets from one rack to the other every 30 minutes, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are firm when touched and very pale golden. Remove the parchment with the meringue from the baking sheets, let the meringue cool on it, and peel off the parchment carefully. The meringue layers may be made 1 day in advance and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature. With a serrated knife trim the meringue layers so that they will just fit inside the 3 1/2-inch springform pan.
• Oil the pan, line it with plastic wrap, leaving on overhang, and arrange 1 of the meringue layers, smooth side down, in the bottom.
• Make the lemon filling
• In heavy saucepan sprinkle the gelatin over the water, let it soften for 1 minute, and heat the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin is dissolved. Whisk in the lemon juice, the sugar, the egg yolks, and zest and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until it registers 170°F. on a candy thermometer. Transfer the mixture to a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stir it occasionally until it is very thick but not set. In a bowl beat the cream until it holds soft peaks and fold it into the lemon mixture.
• Pour the lemon filling over the meringue layer in the springform pan, top it with 1 of the remaining meringue layers, and freeze the torte for 1 hour, or until the lemon filling is firm.
• Make the strawberry filling:
• In a heavy saucepan sprinkle the gelatin over the water, let it soften for 1 minute, and heat the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin is dissolved. In a food processor or blender purée the strawberries with the preserves and the sugar, whisk the purée and the egg yolks into the gelatin mixture, and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until it registers 170°F. on a candy thermometer. Transfer the mixture to a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stir it occasionally until it is very thick but not set. In a bowl beat the cream until it holds soft peaks and fold it into the strawberry mixture.
• Pour the strawberry filling over the meringue layer in the springform pan, top it with the remaining meringue layer, smooth side up, and fold the plastic wrap overhang over the top. Freeze the torte for 2 hours, or until it is frozen. The torte may be prepared up to this point 2 days in advance and dept wrapped well and frozen.
• Make the frosting:
• In a small saucepan sprinkle the gelatin over the water, let it soften for 1 minute, and heat the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin is dissolved. In a bowl beat the heavy cram and the sour cream with the confectioners' sugar until the mixture just holds stiff peaks, add the gelatin mixture in a stream, beating, and beat the frosting until it holds stiff peaks.
• Remove the side of the pan and transfer the torte to a serving plate, discarding the plastic wrap. Spread a thin layer of the frosting on the top and side of the torte and freeze the torte for 10 minutes, or until the frosting is firm. Transfer the remaining frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip (such as a basket-weave tip), pipe it over the torte, and freeze the torte for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Let the torte stand in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving and garnish it with the strawberries.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Trace two 8-in. circles 1 in. apart on paper; set aside. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. , Add cream of tartar; beat until soft peaks form. Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa together 2 times; gently fold into batter. Fold in vanilla. Spread evenly over circles. , Bake at 275° for 1 hour. Turn oven off and do not open door; let meringues dry for 1 hour. , Remove from oven; cool on baking sheet. When completely cool, remove meringues from paper; store in an airtight container., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, then egg white, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in vinegar and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; add to batter alternately with buttermilk and water., Pour into two 9-in. round baking pans coated with cooking spray and floured. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. , Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread 1/2 cup whipped topping over cake layer; top with a meringue and another 1/2 cup topping. Top with second cake layer, 1/2 cup topping, second meringue and remaining topping. Sprinkle with toffee bits and shaved chocolate.

MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Pour into 3 parchment-lined 9-in. round baking pans; set aside., In a large bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla. Fold in 1/2 cup walnuts. Spread meringue evenly over cake batter; sprinkle with remaining walnuts. , Bake at 325° for 30-35 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes (meringue will crack). Loosen edges of cakes from pans with a knife. Using 2 large spatulas, carefully remove 1 cake to a serving plate, meringue side up. Carefully remove remaining cakes, meringue side up, to wire racks. , In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Gradually add confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Carefully spread half the filling over cake on serving plate; top with half the raspberries. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake. Store in the refrigerator.

CHERRY-BERRIES MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• About 30 minutes before making the meringue shell, place an egg separator over a small bowl. Crack open each egg over the egg separator to separate the white from the yolk. (Save egg yolks for another recipe.)
• Place the egg whites in a clean medium bowl, and let stand at room temperature up to 30 minutes.*
• Heat the oven to 275°F. Line a cookie sheet with a piece of foil or cooking parchment paper.
• Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites; beat with an electric mixer on high speed until mixture looks foamy. Beat in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue beating about 5 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape mixture from side and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula, until mixture is glossy and forms stiff peaks when beaters are lifted. (Do not underbeat because the meringue shell won't hold its shape.) On the cookie sheet, shape the meringue into a 9-inch round with the back of a spoon, building up about a 1-inch side.
• Bake 1 hour 30 minutes. Turn off oven; leave meringue in oven with door closed 1 hour. Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack 2 hours longer.
• Place a medium bowl and the beaters of electric mixer in refrigerator to chill. These will be used to beat the whipping cream, which beats better in a cold bowl.
• Place block of cream cheese on a plate, and let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes to soften slightly. Or to soften cream cheese in the microwave, remove foil wrapper and place in microwavable bowl; microwave on Medium (50%) 45 to 60 seconds.
• In a large bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and the vanilla until mixed; set aside.
• Pour the whipping cream into the chilled bowl. Insert the chilled beaters in the electric mixer. Beat on high speed until whipped cream forms soft peaks when beaters are lifted. Gently fold the whipped cream and marshmallows into the cream cheese mixture.
• Place the meringue on a serving plate, and spoon the filling onto the meringue. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours to blend the flavors but no longer than 24 hours.
• Rinse the strawberries with cool water, and dry on paper towels. Cut out the hull, or "cap," from each strawberry with the point of a paring knife. Cut the strawberries lengthwise into slices to measure 1 cup. In a medium bowl, stir together the pie filling, strawberries and lemon juice.
• To serve, spoon the berry mixture onto the filling. Or cut the meringue shell into serving pieces, and top each serving with the berry mixture.

FORGET-IT MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter an angel-food-cake pan. In a mixer on medium speed, beat the egg whites until frothy. Add the cream of tartar. With the mixer on high speed, gradually add 2 1/2 cups of sugar. Add the vanilla and almond extracts, and beat to stiff, glossy peaks.
• Spoon the meringue into the pan. Level the top. Place in the oven, and turn off the heat. Do not open the door until the oven is cool, 4 hours or overnight.
• Push up the removable bottom of the pan. Cut away the top crust; reserve the crust and the crumbs. Unmold the cake onto a plate. Just before serving, whip the cream with 1 tablespoon sugar, then ice the cake with it. Chop the reserved crust to make crumbs, then sprinkle them around the sides and top of the cake, pressing gently.
• In a bowl, combine the raspberries, remaining 1/2 cup sugar and kirsch. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Serve the cake sliced with the sauce spooned on the side.

STRAWBERRY-CHOCOLATE MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine strawberries and 1 teaspoon sugar. In another bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Refrigerate strawberries and whipped cream, covered, until assembly., Preheat oven to 250°. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Trace two 8-in. circles 1 in. apart on paper; set aside. Add cream of tartar and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Spread evenly over circles., Bake until set and dry, 70-80 minutes. Turn off oven (do not open oven door); leave meringues in oven 1-1/2 hours. Remove from oven; cool completely. , In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Spread evenly over tops of meringues. Carefully remove one meringue to a serving plate. Remove whipped cream from refrigerator; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread half of the whipped cream over the meringue; top with half of the strawberries. Repeat layers. Serve immediately.

MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in a large bowl until soft peaks form. With mixer running, add 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the cornstarch; beat into egg-white mixture. Beat in vinegar and vanilla.
• Drop dollops of mixture in a line down center of prepared baking sheet. With a flexible spatula or a wet spoon, spread into a 6-by-14-inch rectangle. Make a 1-inch-deep well down the center, leaving a 1-inch-thick border around edges.
• Bake 2 hours; turn off oven, and let stand (in oven) for 2 hours or up to overnight. Fill with sorbet; top with peaches or almonds, if desired. Cut into pieces with a serrated knife.

RASPBERRY-FILLED MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Line baking sheets with parchment and trace five 7-1/2-in. circles on paper; set aside., In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Combine coconut and cornstarch; fold into meringue., Spread meringue evenly over each circle on prepared pans. Bake at 300° for 30 minutes or until firm and lightly golden. Cool for 5 minutes. Gently remove meringues from baking sheets to wire racks to cool completely., Meanwhile, drain raspberries, reserving juice. Set the berries aside. Add enough water to juice to measure 2 cups. In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch and sugar; stir in the raspberry liquid until smooth. bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool completely. Fold in the sweetened raspberries. , To assemble, place one meringue on a serving plate; top with 2/3 cup whipped topping and 3/4 cup raspberry filling. Repeat 3 times. Top with remaining meringue layer and whipped topping. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Garnish with fresh berries. Cut with a serrated knife.

FROZEN LEMON MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Trace 4 (8 inch) circles on parchment paper, cut out and put on baking sheets. Meringue: Combine 3/4 c sugar, cornstarch and zest; set aside. In a bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining 3/4 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla and fold in reserved sugar mixture. Spoon meringue on to circles, smoothing the tops. Bake at 300F for 1 hour or until golden> Let cool. Lemon Filling: In a saucepan over med/high, heat 1 1/4 c sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice, stirring until sugar dissolves. In a bowl, beat eggs; whisk in lemon mixture and return to saucepan. Cook, stirring, just until boiling; simmer for 1 minute. Pour into bow. Place plastic wrap directly on surface; cool in refrigerator to room temperature. (can be refrigerated for up to 1 day). Whip cream and fold into lemon mixture. Assembly: Crumble least-attractive meringue for garnish; set aside. Fit 1 meringue into 9-inch springform pan. Pour a third of lemon filling over top. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle crumbled meringue over top. Freeze for at least 8 hours. Can be frozen for up to 1 week well wrapped. Let soften in refrigerator for 45 min before serving.

WALNUT MAPLE TORTE WITH MAPLE MERINGUE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make cake layers:
• Preheat oven to 350° F. and butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, knocking out excess flour.
• On a baking sheet toast walnuts in middle of oven until 1 shade darker, about 8 minutes, and cool. In a food processor grind walnuts fine.
• Into a bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and a pinch salt. In a small cup stir together espresso powder and water. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy and add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture, espresso, walnuts, and oil until just combined.
• Spoon batter into cake pans, smoothing tops, and bake in middle of oven about 25 minutes, or until pale golden and a tester comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans on a rack 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert cake layers onto rack to cool completely.
• In a small bowl beat together cream cheese and 2 tablespoons maple syrup until smooth.
• Assemble torte:
• Arrange 1 cake layer on an ovenproof serving plate and with a pastry brush gently brush top with 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly onto layer and top with remaining layer. Brush top of torte with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup. Torte may be prepared up to this point 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring torte to room temperature before proceeding.
• Make frosting:
• Let whites stand at room temperature 1 hour. In a 1-quart heavy saucepan bring maple syrup to a boil over moderate heat and simmer until a candy thermometer registers 235° F. (be careful it doesn―t bubble over).
• While maple syrup is simmering, in bowl of a standing electric mixer beat whites with cream of tartar and a pinch salt until they just hold stiff peaks. Add hot maple syrup in a stream, beating until meringue is thickened and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Preheat broiler.
• Immediately frost torte with a narrow metal spatula, mounding extra meringue on top and drawing it up with a fork to form peaks (see photograph, page 111). Broil torte about 4 inches from heat until tops of peaks are pale golden, about 30 seconds. Let torte stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.

JAPONAISE (ALMOND MERINGUE) TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour 3 baking trays, or line them with baking paper, and mark each with an 8" circle.
• Place ground almonds, superfine sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl, mix together, and set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a small bowl until they form soft peaks.
• Gradually add the extra superfine sugar, and continue beating until the mixture resembles uncooked meringue.
• Carefully fold the almond mixture, that was set aside, into the meringue.
• Spread meringue mixture on to each of the 3 trays inside the marked circles, or use a piping bag with a 1/2" nozzle to pipe a spiral within each circle.
• Place two of the trays on the centre shelf of the oven and the third on the shelf below.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until meringue is a pale, golden colour- if necessary move the bottom tray to the centre shelf and cook a further 5 minutes.
• Allow the trays to cool on wire racks for 10 minutes before loosening the meringues with a large spatula- do not remove meringues from trays until they have completely cooled.
• For the coffee butter cream- bring the sugar and water to the boil in a small pan, then reduce heat and simmer until the syrup thickens.
• Remove from heat and add the coffee essence, and stir briefly to combine.
• Place the egg yolks in a medium bowl and, beating continuously with an electric mixer, add the coffee syrup.
• While continuing to beat, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is all amalgamated.
• Taste, and add more coffee essence if desired.
• Cool the butter cream in the refrigerator until it reaches spreading consistency.
• To assemble the torte, place one meringue layer on a serving platter and spread with some butter cream.
• Place second meringue on top, spread with butter cream, and repeat with the third meringue.
• Cover the top of torte, and the side, with remaining butter cream.
• Sprinkle toasted almond flakes all over, to decorate, then place in refrigerator until 10 to 15 minutes before serving time, preferably overnight.
• Dust top with powdered sugar to serve.

MERINGUE ICE CREAM TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a small bowl. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; draw three 8-1/2-in. circles on paper., Beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Drop meringue in mounds onto circles; spread to cover. , Bake at 250° for 1-1/4 hours or until set. Turn oven off; leave meringues in oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and cool on baking sheets. When completely cooled, remove meringues from paper., Drain raspberries, reserving juice. Set berries aside. Add enough water to juice to measure 1/2 cup. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in maple syrup and juice mixture until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; gently stir in reserved berries. Cool., To assemble, place one meringue in a 10-in. springform pan. Spread with coffee ice cream; sprinkle with a third of the almonds. Top with a second meringue. Spread with chocolate chip ice cream; sprinkle with a third of the almonds. Top with remaining meringue. Cover and freeze overnight., In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and almond extract; beat until stiff peaks form. Remove torte from freezer; carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove side of pan. Frost with whipped cream., Garnish with fresh raspberries and remaining almonds. Cover and freeze for at least 2 hours. Remove from the freezer for 20 minutes before serving. Serve with raspberry sauce.

ESTERHAZY TORTE/ESTERHAZYSCHNITTEN/ALMOND MERINGUE SLICES

Steps:

• To make the nut layers: Position a rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat to 350º F. Butter a 17 x 11 inch jelly-roll pan; line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. [Cut slashes in the corners of the paper to help them fold neatly.].
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, process the hazelnuts, almonds, and confectioners' sugar until the nuts are finely chopped. [Or buy ground nuts.] In a large grease-free bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar and whip until stiff, shiny peaks form. Fold in the nuts.
• Spread the batter evenly in the prepared jelly-roll pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Unmold the cake onto a cutting board, peal off the parchment paper, and cool completely. The, trim the edges to even out, and cut the cake vertically into six 2 ¾ -inch-wide strips.
• Buttercream filling: Heat ¼ cup of the milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the cornstarch and whisk to dissolve. Whisk in the sugar, then the egg yolks. Add the remaining ¾ cup of milk and whisk over medium heat until very thick. Remove form the heat and transfer to a bowl set in a larger bowl of ice water; stir and cool. Using a hand-held electric mixer, add the butter, one tablespoon at a time, then add the kirsch.
• Faux Fondant Icing: Combine all the ingredients in a small sauce pan; stir over low heat until the glaze is barely warm, 92º to 95ºF. Use immediately.
• Assembly: Place the best-looking nut layer on a wire rack, smooth side up. Spread this layer with warm apricot jam and let stand for about 15 minutes. Pour warm fondant icing over the jam letting any excess drip over the sides. Pipe four thin line of chocolate about ¾ inch apart along the entire length of the icing. To make a feathered effect, at one-inch intervals, draw a wooden toothpick in straight line perpendicular to the long lines of chocolate. Let stand until the icing and chocolate are firm.
• Meanwhile, place 1 nut layer on a cutting board; spread it with about 3 tablespoons of the buttercream. Repeat with the remaining layers, ending with the buttercream. Spread the remaining buttercream around the sides of the cake. Press sliced almonds onto the sides. Top with the iced layer. Refrigerate uncovered for at least one hour prior to slicing.

LEMON MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in egg yolks and milk. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. , In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in water until smooth. bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount into egg yolks; return all to pan. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add butter, lemon juice and zest; set aside. , In a small bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Beat in cinnamon. Fold in almonds. Spread hot filling over crust. Spread topping over filling. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.

MERINGUE TORTE WITH PEPPERMINT CREAM

Steps:

• Let egg whites stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Add water, vinegar, extract, salt and, if desired, food coloring; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved., Preheat oven to 300°. With a pencil, draw three 8x5-in. rectangles on parchment. Place paper, pencil marks down, on baking sheets. Spread meringue evenly over each rectangle., Bake 20 minutes. Turn oven off; leave meringues in oven for 1-1/2 hours. Remove from oven; cool on baking sheets. When cooled completely, remove meringues from paper., In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Spread a third of the chocolate mixture over each meringue. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold in peppermint candies., Place a chocolate-covered meringue on a serving plate; top with a third of the peppermint cream. Repeat layers twice. Top with chocolate curls and additional crushed candies.

LEMON MERINGUE FROZEN TORTE

Steps:

• Lemon Curd method: In saucepan over medium high heat, heat sugar, butter, lemon rind and juice, stirring until sugar is dissolved. In bowl beat eggs; whisk in lemon mixture. Return to saucepan and cook stirring just until boiling. Simmer 1 minute. Pour into bowl. Place plastic wrap directly onto surface and chill in refrigerator to room temperature. (Can be refrigerated for up to 1 day) Whip cream and fold into lemon mixture. Meringue method: Combine sugar, cornstarch and rind; set aside. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until soft peaks form. Add vanilla. Then beat adding sugar slowly until very stiff and shiny peaks form. Make 3 meringues, piped with pastry bag in 3 concentric circles on parchment paper (or butter pan and dust very lightly with flour).Circles will be roughly the size of the spring-form pan that you use in assembly. Bake in 250 oven for at least 1 hour or until very dry and lightly golden. Cool. (May be stored in cool, dry place for up to 3 days). Assembly: Line spring-form (9 or 10") pan and overlap sides with plastic wrap. Fit 1 meringue into pan. Pour 1/3 lemon mixture over top. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle crumbled meringue over top (left over from trimmed circles). Freeze for at least 8 hours. Torte can be removed from pan and wrapped well and kept frozen for up to 1 week. Let soften in refrigerator for 45 minutes or more before serving. Makes 12 servings.

CANDY BAR MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Using a pencil, draw a 10-in. circle on each of 2 sheets of parchment. Place each sheet, pencil mark down, on a baking sheet or pizza pan; set aside., Add vanilla and cream of tartar to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form., Spread into 10-in. circles on prepared pans. Bake at 225° for 50-60 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Turn oven off; leave meringues in oven for 1 to 1-1/4 hours., Just before serving, place whipped topping in a large bowl; fold in 3 candy bars. Place 1 meringue layer on a serving plate; top with half topping mixture. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with remaining candy bar.