Meringue Torte Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 6 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 6 tablespoons milk
• MERINGUE:
• 6 egg whites
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts, divided
• FILLING:
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 cups fresh raspberries

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. In a small bowl, beat egg yolks for 3-5 minutes or until light lemon-colored; beat in vanilla. Add to creamed mixture. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Pour into three parchment paper-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 two large spatulas, carefully remove one 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 of the filling over cake on serving plate; top with half of the raspberries. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16-18 servings.

Meringue Torte published in Taste of Home June/July 2006, p47