Chocolate meringues with whipped cream and fresh berries

I first had meringues in the UK at a friend’s house. They are fairly simple to make but look and taste as if a lot of effort has gone into them.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs (only whites, no yolks)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 150 gms golden caster sugar

For the topping:

• 100ml double cream
• 3 tbsp icing sugar
• 300 gms of mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries and raspberries)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven at 140° C.
2. Line two big baking trays with parchment paper.
3. In a clean glass bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks are formed. I suggest using an electric whisk or be prepared for a solid one arm workout.
4. Little by little whisk in the golden caster sugar and cocoa powder.
5. Whisk till stiff peaks are formed. You don’t want to over do this bit.
6. Spoon the mixture on to the lined baking trays in small circles. You don’t want the mixture to lose the volume so quickly put them in the oven.
7. Cook for about 60 min.
8. Whip the double cream in a bowl. Gradually it will start getting thicker and at this time start adding little sugar at a time. Again continue whipping the cream till stiff peaks are formed. Leave it in the fridge to cool.
9. When the meringues are out, leave them cool.
10. Chop the strawberries in four pieces each. Leave them aside to cool.
11. Once the meringues have completely cooled off start the assembly.
12. On each meringue, put about a spoon or two of the whipped cream, and then add berries on top. There are not rules here. Add more of what you like…more cream, more berries as per your choice.