Search
Food, Wine

Moms Love Cake, Real or Virtual

Together apart: If your family can celebrate Mother’s Day, May 10, in the same room with Mom, what good fortune. But for many of us, “together apart” is the new normal. Still, we can get creative in how we let Mom know she’s the best. If you and your siblings are separated, why not pass around the recipe for this sumptuous yet simple Almond Meringue Torte so each household can bake a version? Share videos or meet up online to compare results and bragging rights. Get the grandkids or cousins involved—socially distanced, of course.

almond macaroon cake

With California strawberries in their glory and other berries not far behind, this impressive and versatile cake is one you’ll want to master. Visualize layers of crunchy almond meringue sandwiched with a dreamy whipped-ricotta filling and juicy berries. With a few hours rest, the cake becomes soft enough to slice. Make it your own as the fruit season progresses by substituting apricots, peaches, raspberries or a combination.

Hooray for make-ahead desserts. Hooray for cakes that love wine. (A late-harvest Riesling or Muscat or a demi-sec sparkling wine would be downright perfect.) Most of all, hooray for Mom. Find more Mom-worthy dessert recipes here

green medal

FOUR TO FOLLOW

The four winery winners of the 2020 Green Medal Awards  were selected by a team of judges looking for excellence, commitment, and creativity in approaches to sustainability. This year’s honorees are relentless goal-setters who can inspire and guide others in areas like riverbank restoration (J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Leader), regenerative agriculture (Bonterra Organic Vineyards, Environment), employee and community relations (Clif Family Winery, Community), and water- and energy-efficiency (Pisoni Family Vineyards, Business). Their achievements are highlighting California’s global leadership in sustainable winegrowing and are helping to broaden a “green” future for the state’s wine industry.

The Pour

In your glass:

Open a bottle of California dessert wine with your handmade cake and make this a Mother’s Day that Mom won’t forget. You have choices. A gently sweet Muscat or a luscious late-harvest Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc? A plush and plummy California Port? Bubbles make any occasion more festive, so take a look at some of the options in that category. Brut is the driest style, but with cake, you probably want to go sweeter: either an extra-dry (a touch sweeter than a Brut) or a demi-sec (sweeter still). If you bailed on the cake and bought chocolates for Mom, add a bottle of California Cabernet Sauvignon, too. Chocolate with Cab remains a controversial pairing, with both avid fans and skeptics. Time to weigh in!

Almond Meringue Torte with Strawberries and Ricotta Cream

Like strawberry shortcake but more elegant, this layered dessert needs to rest for a few hours before slicing to soften the crunchy meringue. It keeps for about a day so you can serve half for dinner and enjoy the other half for a decadent breakfast the next morning.

Almond Meringue Torte with Strawberries and Ricotta Cream

Ingredients

For the meringue:

  • 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • Pinch salt
  • ½ cup (100 g) sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • 6 tablespoons (45 g) finely ground toasted almonds (see Note)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 3 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour

For the filling:

  • ¾ pound (350 g) whole-milk ricotta
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon brandy
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream, whipped to firm peaks
  • ¾ pound (350 g) strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon brandy
  • 1 tablespoon finely ground raw (unroasted) pistachios, for garnish
  • Mint sprig and sliced strawberry, optional garnish

 

Directions

  • Make the meringue: Preheat two ovens to 350°F (180°C) or position two racks in the upper third and bottom third of one oven. Line two heavy rimmed baking sheets with parchment and trace three 7-1/2-inch (19-cm) circles on the paper in pencil, two circles on one sheet and one on the other. Flip the parchment over so the macaroon batter will not touch the pencil marks.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk, whip the egg whites and salt on medium-high speed until foamy. Add the sugar gradually, then the almond extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then raise the speed to high and whip until the sugar has completely dissolved and the meringue stands in firm peaks when the whisk is lifted.
  • Remove the bowl from the mixer. Gently fold in the almonds, then the butter, then the flour.
  • Divide the mixture evenly among the traced circles and spread into evenly thick 7-1/2-inch (19-cm) rounds. Bake until golden-brown and no longer sticky to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes. If you are using one oven, shift the position of the baking sheets halfway through to ensure even baking.
  • Remove the baking sheets from the oven and lift the parchment sheets onto a cooling rack. When the meringue tortes are completely cool, carefully peel away the parchment. Don’t worry if they stick a little bit.
  • Make the filling: In a food processor, blend the ricotta, sugar, brandy, and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and gently fold in the whipped cream.
  • In a bowl, combine the strawberries, sugar, and brandy. Toss gently and let stand 5 minutes.
  • Place one meringue on a cake stand or platter that will fit in the refrigerator. Top with one-third of the ricotta filling, spreading it evenly to the edges. Arrange half of the berries in an even layer on top of the ricotta. Top with another and half of the remaining ricotta filling, spreading it to the edges. Top the ricotta with the remaining berries in an even layer, then place the third macaroon on top. Spread the remaining ricotta filling on top of the torte, then cover with a cake dome and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 1 day.
  • Just before serving, garnish the top with the ground pistachios and, if desired, with a mint sprig and sliced strawberry.
  • Note:
  • Toast whole raw almonds in a 325°F (160°C) oven until golden inside, about 25 minutes. Let cool, then grind fine in a nut grinder or food processor.

Recommended Pairings

California late-harvest Moscato or California late-harvest Riesling

Continue Reading

spring vineyard bud breakVineyard Awakening: A Glimpse into Spring Bud Break

Spring is coming and we couldn't be more ready. Learn more about what happens in California vineyards during ...

Read the Article
California wine and chocolateA Perfect Date with California Wine and Chocolate

Nothings says "love" like a California wine and chocolate pairing.

Read the Article
San Francisco SourdoughWhy San Francisco Sourdough Reigns Supreme

This month’s recipe turns a sourdough loaf into the most delicious Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread. And it�...

Read the Article
wine cocktailA Sparkling Wine Cocktail for Your Holiday Parties

Celebrate the holidays with a California sparkling wine cocktail that's perfect for all your holiday parties.

Read the Article
wine guide thanksgivingA Wine Lovers’ Guide to Thanksgiving

Welcome to our guide to the ultimate Thanksgiving table with California wines. Read on for festive recipe ide...

Read the Article
wine with burritosWhich Wine Goes Best with Burritos?

Yes, you can pair wine with burritos. And yes, we think it's a delicious combo.

Read the Article
Bakersfield fried chickenHow Bakersfield Became Famous for Fried Chicken

It's California Wine Month — celebrate with this delicious recipe!

Read the Article
the perfect saladThe Perfect Salad for Wine Tasting

Wine tasting this weekend? Enjoying a wine country picnic? Either way, bring this salad, pop open the wine an...

Read the Article
Become a Wine Insider

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.