Key Lime Meringue Cake Recipes

Steps:

• To prepare cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray with flour; alternatively, coat the pans with cooking spray, line them with parchment paper & spray the paper. Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour & salt in a medium bowl. Beat 4 eggs and 2/3 c sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale yellow & doubled in volume, 5 to 10 minutes. Beat in vanilla and 1 tspn lime zest. With a rubber spatula, gently fold almond (or canola) oil into the egg mixture, using long, even strokes, until just incorporated. Add the flour mixture; gently stir until just incorporated. Divide the batter between the pans; spread to the edges and gently rap the pans against the counter once or twice to settle the batter. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then invert the layers onto the rack, remove the pans and parchment paper, if using, and let cool completely, about 45 minutes. To prepare lime filling: Whisk condensed milk, lime juice & 1 tspn lime zest in a medium bowl until combined. Refrigerate until thickened, at least 30 minutes or overnight. To prepare meringue: Beat egg whites in a medium bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in 1/4 c sugar in a slow, steady stream. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Position oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source; preheat broiler. Transfer one layer, bottom-side down, to a large baking sheet. Spread the meringue on top of the cake, creating decorative peaks & valleys in the meringue with a rubber spatula. Broil until lightly browned, watching carefully to prevent burning, 30 seconds to 1 minute. To assemble cake: Place the plain layer, top-side down, on a serving plate; spread the lime filling on top. Cover with the meringue-topped layer.

Steps:

• Set rack in bottom third of oven.
• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• Line the bottoms of two 8-X 2-inch round cake pans with wax paper and grease paper.
• Make the meringue cake: Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter with ½ cup of the sugar until fluffy.
• Add the egg yolks and beat for 2 minutes.
• Stir together the milk and vanilla; beat the milk into the butter in two additions, alternating with the dry ingredients, until just incorporated.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pans.
• In another large bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites at medium speed until they hold stiff peaks.
• Gradually sprinkle in ¾ cup of the sugar and beat until the whites are glossy, 3-4 minutes.
• Gently spread the meringue over the cake batter in the pans; do not smooth the tops.
• Sprinkle the almonds, then the remaining 2 tsps sugar, on the meringue.
• Bake the cakes for 25 minutes, or until the meringue is puffed and lightly browned.
• Transfer the pans to racks and let the cakes cool completely; the tops will sink considerably.
• While the cakes bake, make the lime curd: Place the whole eggs and egg yolk in a heatproof bowl and whisk.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the lime juice, sugar, cornstarch and salt to a boil over medium heat, whisking.
• Gradually whisk the mixture into the eggs.
• Scrape the lime curd into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick enough to coat the spoon, about 5 minutes; do not boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter.
• Strain the curd into a clean bowl.
• Let cool for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.
• Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the lime curd and refrigerate until chilled, atleast 2 hours or overnight.
• To assemble: Run a knife around the sides of the cake layers to loosen them from the pans.
• Carefully invert the layers onto baking sheets; remove wax paper.
• Invert one layer (meringue side up) onto a cake platter.
• Spread all the lime curd on top.
• Cover with the other cake layer (meringue side up).
• To serve: Slice gently with a serrated knife.
• The cake can be refrigerated for up to 1 day ahead.
• Loosely cover with plastic wrap.