Strawberry Schaum Torte

These wonderful, lightly sweet and crunchy dessert shells are also called Meringues or Pavlova.  However, in Wisconsin, we call them Schaum Tortes.  Instead of a birthday cake, my family often requests this dessert. 

 

3 egg whites

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup white sugar

sliced strawberries, sweetened with a little sugar - set aside until juicy

vanilla ice cream

whipped cream

Heat oven to 275 degrees.  Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar and vanilla in small mixer bowl until foamy.  Slowly beat in sugar (a tablespoon at a time).  Continue beating until stiff and glossy.  Do not under beat.  Drop meringues by 1/3 to 1/2 cupful onto parchment paper.  Shape into circles with the back of a spoon, building up the sides.  

Bake 1 1/2 hours. Turn off oven; leave meringue in oven with door closed for 1 hour.  Finish cooling meringue at room temperature. 

Top with vanilla ice cream, sweetened strawberries and whipped cream.

**Tip:  When you separate your eggs, watch that not even a speck of yolk gets in there.  You also need a super clean mixing bowl.  Even the tiniest bit of fat will prevent your egg whites from whipping up properly.

Also, I do not recommend that you make these on a humid or rainy day.  They may become sticky and tough.

Serves 8-10

Source:  Betty Crocker

Eileen