Hazelnut meringue surprise

Britain’s Best Pud entrant, Imogen Bahl, stood out in the under-12 category with this sophisticated dessert

  • Prep:20 mins
    Cook:35 mins
  • Serves 8
  • More effort

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal 764
  • fat 47g
  • saturates 20g
  • carbs 83g
  • sugars 82g
  • fibre 3g
  • protein 9g
  • salt 0.18g

Ingredients

  • a little butter for the tins
  • 200g hazelnuts
  • 25g icing sugar
  • 6 egg whites
  • 450g golden caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp white wine vinegar
  • 200g plain chocolate, chopped
  • 400ml extra thick double cream
  • 200g raspberries

Method

  1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter and line the bases and sides of 2 x 20cm springform tins with baking parchment. Grind the hazelnuts and icing sugar in a food processor until fine. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, add half the caster sugar and whisk again until stiff, then repeat with the rest of the caster sugar. Fold in the vanilla, vinegar and ground nut mixture until well combined. Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 25-30 mins until the tops are firm to the touch. Remove and cool in the tins on a wire rack. The meringues are very fragile and may crack a little, but don’t worry.

  2. While the meringues cool, make the chocolate cream. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, then remove from the heat. Leave to cool slightly, then stir in the cream and leave to set in a cool place.

  3. Carefully remove the cooled meringues from the tins and put one layer onto a serving plate. Lightly crush half of the berries with a fork. Using a palette knife, spread half the chocolate cream over the meringue and spoon over the berries. Top with the remaining layer, then ice with chocolate cream and decorate with remaining berries. Chill until serving.

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