This is a Christmas dessert I made for my family get-together in 2018. I doubt I will make anything quite so extravagant this year due to the virus, but you never know! Since I never shared this dessert, I wanted to add it as an idea someone else might be tempted to try. There may still be time to find decorations. |
Ingredients
4 extra large egg whites, at room temperature
pinch kosher salt
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
sweetened whipped cream (recipe follows)
1/2 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 pint fresh blueberries
1/2 pint fresh raspberries
Triple Raspberry Sauce (recipe follows)
Whipped Cream
1 cup cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Sauce
1 half-pint fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup seedless raspberry jam (12-ounce jar)
1 tablespoon framboise liqueur (this is a Belgian beer fermented with raspberry)
Preheat oven to 180 degrees F.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on a sheet pan. Draw a 9" circle on the paper, using a 9" plate as a guide, then turn the paper over so the circle is on the reverse side. (This way you won't get the pencil mark on the meringue.)
Place the egg whites and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat the egg whites on high speed until firm, about 1 minute. With the mixer still on high, slowly add the sugar and beat until it makes firm, shiny peaks, about 2 minutes.
Remove the bowl from the mixer, sift the cornstarch onto the beaten egg whites, add the vinegar and vanilla, and fold in lightly with a rubber spatula. Pile the meringue into the middle of the circle on the parchment paper and smooth it out, making a rough disk. Bake for 1-1/2 - 2 hours. Turn off the oven, keep the door closed, and allow the meringue to cool completely in the oven, about 1 hour. It will be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (you can also use a hand mixer.) When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until firm. Don't overbeat!
It will make about 1 cup. You can also use Redi Whip or Cool Whip.
Place the raspberries, sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 4 minutes. Pour the cooked raspberries, the jam, and framboise into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth. Chill. This makes about 2 cups and is really easy to make.
For the decorations, I created a ring around the meringue with rosemary. Then I used mint flavored red and white candies around the edge. As for the interior decorations, I used whatever I could find at the Dollar Store. Luckily I found the adorable gingerbread men and house. Then I sifted confectioner's sugar over the entire meringue to look like snow. I think it came out really cute. I can imagine using peppermint candies or making tiny snowmen as other possibilities.