Very Berry Meringue Roulade

Recipe by Rozanne Stevens (rozannestevens.com) This dessert looks super impressive but is actually very easy to make. Extra bonus is that you’ll get at least ten servings from one roulade so it is the ideal recipe for summer entertaining for gangs of friends and family. The meringue sheet can be made a couple of days ahead and assembled at the last minute. Lemon curd adds something special to the cream filling and is a very versatile ingredient to have for the holidays. Simply spread on hot buttered toast, as a sponge cake or cupcake filling or topping or in lemon meringue pie. Folded in to whipped cream, it transforms it into a light lemony cheesecake flavoured whip. There are several good shop bought versions but making your own is an excellent way to use up leftover egg yolks if you are making meringue. Get the full Lemon Curd recipe here.

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 150° Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray. The paper must overhang the tray so that you can lift it out. You can stick the paper to the tray with sunflower oil. Lightly oil the top of the paper too to make it non-stick.
2. To make the meringue base, whisk the egg whites in a very clean, dry bowl until stiff peaks form. Gradually snow in the caster sugar and continue to whisk until the sugar dissolves – this is key. Rub the mixture between your fingers – if it feels sandy, carry on whisking.
3. Spread the meringue mixture evenly over the paper. Bake for 25 minutes, until the meringue is crunchy on top. It will still be marshmallowy underneath.
4. Gently lift the meringue off the baking tray using the paper and allow to cool on a wire rack. Once it’s cool, place another piece of paper on top, grip firmly and turn the meringue over. Peel the top layer of parchment paper away.
5. To make the filling, whip together the cream and lemon curd until fairly stiff but still spreadable. Set aside.
6. Lay the meringue with the longest side going from west to east. Spread most of the whipped cream over the meringue base.
7. Scatter evenly with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and gooseberries. Using the paper, lift the edge of the meringue and roll it over into a log.
8. Scatter over the rest of the berries. Decorate with the rest of the cream, a sprinkling of white chocolate curls and a dusting of icing sugar.