Cinnamon and chocolate ganache meringues with vanilla sauce
SERVES 6
These meringues are a thinner, crisper version than the traditional. They are easy to make and stack well in an airtight container, all ready for your party.
CINNAMON MERINGUES
140g caster sugar
80g brown sugar
4 eggs, whites only
½ tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp hazelnuts, chopped
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
250ml cream
200g milk chocolate buttons, at
least 52% cocoa solids
VANILLA SAUCE
300ml whole milk
4 eggs, yolks only
60g caster sugar
½ vanilla pod, seeds scraped out or
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 For the cinnamon meringue, heat oven to 110C. Place the egg whites and sugars in a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir until the sugars are dissolved.
2 Pour into the bowl of a freestanding mixer and whisk on high speed for 10 minutes.
3 Fold in cinnamon, then spoon the mix into a piping bag.
4 On a sheet of baking paper, pipe out 12 spiral circles, then sprinkle half with hazelnuts (or you can use the back of a spoon to free-hand flat circles of meringue mix).
5 Bake for 2 hours, allow to cool completely before storing. They will keep for a week in an airtight container.
6 For the chocolate ganache, bring the cream to the boil. Place the buttons in a bowl and slowly pour the hot cream on to the buttons and whisk until smooth.
7 Allow to cool and serve at room temperature.
8 Sandwich a large spoonful of chocolate ganache between two meringues, making sure the nutty piece is on the top.
9 For the vanilla sauce, bring the milk and vanilla to the boil.
10 Whisk the yolks and sugar until smooth and light in colour. 11 Carefully whisk in the boiling milk then pour this mix back into the milk pan and return to a low heat.
12 Stir gently by slowly zig-zagging your wooden spoon across the bottom of the pan, moving the sauce as it begins to thicken and coats the back of the spoon.
13 Do not be tempted to turn the heat too high or it will cause the sauce to split. Allow to cool, then strain through a fine sieve.
14 Serve meringues with vanilla sauce and fresh berries.