I have a few questions if I may.
I obtained my Great Grandmothers recipe for a meringue cake, and I wish to modify it or at least understand it.
Allow me to put the recipe on here and then critique it.
1 Cup egg whites Beat until firm Add 2 cups sugar Add 1 TBLS of Vanilla Add 1 TBLS of Vinegar Put into butter coated pans and cook like cake at 350F for one hour. Layer with whip cream just like a cake, chill and serve with sweetened strawberries or another fruit.I LOVE this recipe, but left overs weep a lot in the refrigerator and I wish to obtain a thicker cake, it shrinks and doesn't have a great amount of cake afterwards.
Here are some questions I pose for educational discussion.
- I tried Cream of Tartar, I used one to one ratio to Vinegar. The cake tasted like a dry wine! Acid taste and feeling. I reduced to 1 teaspoon instead of the tablespoon and it seemed to be the same as the vinegar. Is the ratio for eggs less with Cream of Tartar? I figured it was about 1/8 tsp to one egg white.
- I beat the eggs till firm and dry and let them warm up to room temperature, not using any plastic and everything is clean. But why the shrinkage?
- I powdered my sugar and also used granular sugar. Both had the same results. I measured out the two cups and THEN powdered it and came out with about 3-3/4 cups. Is this the correct way to do this?
- What will increasing or decreasing the sugar amounts do to a meringue? This is a real mind bender to me.
- How can I double the amount of volume of the cake? Would doubling the portions per pan do this or will it just shrink anyway?
Thanks everyone, I guess I'm looking for scientific reasons for things that explain the reasons for things.
BTW, why no salt in this recipe? Doesn't salt do something chemically?
Thanks again
Rich