administratorA very light cake that is less crunchy than traditional meringue, closer to a sponge in texture. The slightly sweet and rich chocolate flavor is beautifully balanced by the tartness of forest berries. One of the best things about this cake is how simple and easy it is to prepare. I reduced the sugar from the original recipe and replaced the powdered sugar garnish with whipped cream — the result is absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
Berry Compote:
200 g frozen forest berries (raspberries, wild strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.)*
½ tsp vanilla paste or extract
40 g sugar
Dacquoise:
8 egg whites, at room temperature
130 g sugar
40 g all-purpose flour
40 g unsweetened dark cocoa powder
80 g ground almonds
80 g ground hazelnuts
60 g powdered sugar
To Serve:
Whipped cream
Instructions
Prepare the compote:
In a small saucepan, combine the berries, sugar, and vanilla. Cook over low heat for 10–15 minutes, until the fruit begins to break down and the mixture thickens slightly. Set aside to cool completely.Prepare the dacquoise:
Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease a 20 cm (8-inch) springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites starting at low speed and gradually increasing. When the whites are almost fully whipped, slowly add the sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
Sift the flour, cocoa, ground almonds, ground hazelnuts, and powdered sugar together. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue with a spatula.
Assemble the cake:
Spread half of the dacquoise mixture evenly on the bottom of the pan. Spoon the berry compote over the top, placing more in the center and spreading outward, leaving about a 2 cm margin around the edge. Spread the remaining dacquoise mixture over the compote evenly.Bake:
Bake for 40 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely in the oven before removing.Serve:
Serve with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
This cake is airy, flavorful, and elegantly combines chocolate, nuts, and tart berries — perfect for a light dessert or a special occasion.
