Ingredients
Units
For the cake,
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 115 grams (4oz) 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 eggs, yolks, and whites separated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Swiss meringue
- 4 egg whites
- 12 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To assemble the dessert,
- 2 walnut cakes
- a portion of Swiss meringue
- 1 can of dulce de leche (380 grams)
- 2 meringue discs or 4 cups of chopped meringues (I used Trader’s Joe)
Instructions
- Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350F or 180C.
- Prepare two cake pans of 20 cm. In diameter (8″), place parchment paper at the bottom.
- Put the walnuts and the sugar in the food processor until they are finely ground. Add the butter cut into cubes, process until well incorporated, add the egg yolks, and process until it is all well integrated. Add vanilla, and blend.
- Beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer the nut mixture to a large bowl and add flour, mixing with a spatula just enough to integrate everything. Add one-half of the egg whites and then the other half, using soft strokes. Place half of the batter into each pan.
- Bake at 350F or 180C for about 25 minutes until golden. Let cool entirely on a wire rack before unmolding.
- Make the Meringue: Assemble the water bath: put 3 inches of water in a large pot over high heat until it boils, and lower the fire to a simmer. Gather the ingredients in a large bowl placed on top of the pot without touching the water.
- Beat in the double boiler; the water should continue boiling gently, initially at low speed and then high, for about 5-8 minutes, until stiff peaks of meringue form, then continue beating outside the bath until cold, about 5 minutes more.
- Assemble: Place a walnut cake at the bottom of the trifle, covered with dulce de leche and then a thin layer of swiss meringue, sprinkle with crushed meringue, then repeat, and end with Swiss meringue.
- Serve the same day—no need to refrigerate.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Chilean