Best Lemon Meringue Cake Recipes

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, water and oil. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. , Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks., For filling, in a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in water and juice until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir for 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; gently stir in butter and lemon zest. Cool completely., For meringue, in a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. , Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on an ovenproof serving plate; spread with a third of the filling. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer. , Spread meringue over top and sides. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Cool. Store in the refrigerator.

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the lemon curd: Whisk the sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, cornstarch and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until thick, about 10 minutes. Whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until melted, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
• Make the meringue: Whisk the egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until the mixture is warm and the sugar dissolves, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan; add the cream of tartar and vanilla and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Assemble the cake: Put 1 cake layer on a platter; spread the lemon curd on top, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with the second cake layer and press down gently. Cover the cake with the meringue, using the back of a spoon to make swirly peaks. Brown the meringue with a kitchen torch. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 day.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust the pans with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk 3 cups flour, the baking powder and salt in a bowl until combined. Beat 2 sticks butter and the sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium; beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. (The mixture may look separated at this point.)
• Mix 1/2 cup water with the cream in a liquid measuring cup or bowl. Beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour, until just smooth.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are lightly golden on top and the centers spring back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if desired.

LEMON MERINGUE ANGEL CAKE

Steps:

• Place 12 egg whites in a large bowl. Sift 1/2 cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside. , Add cream of tartar, vanilla and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time. , Gently spoon batter into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on lowest oven rack at 350° until golden brown and entire top appears dry, 35-40 minutes. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour., Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake; split into 2 horizontal layers. Place cake bottom on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread with lemon curd; replace cake top. , For meringue, in a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread over top and sides of cake., Bake at 350° until golden brown, 15-18 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate. Refrigerate leftovers.

FROZEN LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• Make meringue layers:
• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 200°F.
• Using the bottom of the springform pan as a guide, draw 2 (8-inch) circles on one sheet of parchment and a third (8-inch) circle on the second sheet of parchment. Turn paper over (circles will be visible).
• Beat whites with cream of tartar and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, then increase speed to high and continue beating until whites hold stiff, glossy peaks, about 4 minutes in a stand mixer or 8 to 10 minutes with a handheld. Divide meringue mixture among 3 circles, spread evenly within lines, and gently smooth tops. Bake until firm and very pale golden, about 2 hours, then let stand in turned-off oven (door closed) until firm, about 1 hour. While meringues bake, put ice cream in refrigerator to soften.
• Slide parchment sheets with meringue layers onto racks to cool completely. Carefully lift meringue and peel off parchment.
• Make curd while meringues bake:
• Whisk together lemon juice, zest, sugar, yolks, whole eggs, and salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Stir in butter and cook over moderately low heat, whisking frequently, until mixture is thickened and just reaches a boil, about 6 minutes. Transfer lemon curd to a bowl and chill, its surface covered with plastic wrap, until cold, at least 1 hour.
• Assemble cake:
• Line springform pan with 2 crisscrossed sheets of plastic wrap. Arrange 1 meringue layer (trimming if necessary) flat side down in springform pan and spread 1 cup ice cream over it, then evenly spread half of lemon curd over ice cream. Cover curd with another meringue layer, then spread remaining cup ice cream over meringue. Spread remaining curd on top, then cover curd with remaining meringue layer, flat side down. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
• About 1 hour before serving, put cake in refrigerator to soften slightly. Remove side of pan and transfer cake to platter, then cut into wedges with a long serrated knife.

LEMON MERINGUE ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Place fresh, cold egg whites and cold water in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer. Set aside until they are 60 degrees, or slightly below room temperature.
• Pour flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and salt into a triple sifter or sieve. Sift onto a sheet of waxed paper; set aside. Adjust rack in lower third of oven; preheat oven to 325 degrees. Set nearby a dry, un-greased 10inch tube pan. Such a pan allows the batter to cling to the sides and rise to its full height. Place a long-necked bottle or large metal funnel nearby for inverting the baked cake.
• Whip egg whites, preferably with a whisk attachment until frothy. Add cream of tartar and whip on medium speed until soft peaks form. Continue whipping and gradually add the 1 cup granulated sugar until whites have thickened and form soft droopy white peaks. Add the vanilla and lemon zest in the final moments of whipping.
• Sprinkle one-quarter of the flour mixture over the whites, and with a rubber spatula, fold into the whites. Repeat this process with the remaining flour mixture, folding in only one-quarter of the flour mixture at a time. Gently pour the batter into an un-greased tube pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is light golden, the cake feels spongy and springs back when touched, and a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out free of cake. Invert cake onto the neck of a bottle or funnel. Cool completely before removing from pan.
• To remove cake from the pan, slip just the tip of a small metal spatula between the cake and pan. Slowly trace the perimeter to release any cake sticking to the pan. Tilt the cake pan on its side, and gently tap the bottom against the counter to loosen the cake. Rotate the cake pan, tapping as you turn it a few more times, until it appears free. Cover the cake with a rack or cardboard round, and at the same time that you invert the cake onto the work surface, tap it firmly onto the surface. Lift the pan from the cake.
• For the filling: In a 1 1/2 quart heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk briefly to combine the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add the pieces of butter, and place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly over the entire bottom. Cook the mixture without boiling until it begins to develop body and thicken. Remove from heat and pour through a stainless steel sieve into a bowl. Cover the surface with plastic wrap, poke a few small slits in the plastic with the tip of a paring blade allowing steam to escape while cooling. Refrigerate (curd will thicken).
• For the frosting: In a 3-cup saucepan, combine the water and 2/3 cup sugar. Place over low heat to dissolve the sugar, then increase the heat to medium high and boil, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 235 degrees. (Wash down any sugar crystals slinging to the sides of the pan with a brush dipped in cold water.) Near the end of the boiling time, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add the 2 tablespoons sugar, and continue to whip until the whites are stiff but not dry. With the mixer running, pour the syrup onto the whipped whites. Continue to whip on medium speed, about 3 minutes more. Mixture will thicken, cool and form glossy, stiff peaks. Add the vanilla. Cool to room temperature, about 8 to 10 minutes, then frost cake right away.
• Assembling the dessert: Cut cake into three layers. Spread the lemon filling equally between the two layers; top with remaining layer. Frost top and sides of cake with Italian Meringue Frosting.

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt twice. Set aside.
• Place egg yolks in the large bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium high until pale and foamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the sugar, beating until very pale and puffy, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add oil in a steady stream. Add zests; beat for 1 minute. Reduce speed to medium low, and add flour mixture alternately with juices, flour in 4 parts and liquid in 3 parts, beginning and ending with the flour. Set aside.
• In a clean bowl, whip egg whites on low speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and increase speed to medium high. Beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, and beat for 1 1/2 minutes, or until whites are glossy and stiff peaks form.
• Stir a quarter of the whites into the flour-yolk mixture. Fold in remaining whites carefully, trying not to deflate the batter. Gently pour into an ungreased 7-inch tube pan. Bake until cake is golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
• Remove cake from oven, and invert immediately. Cool completely in pan. Run a knife around sides to loosen, and remove outer part of pan. Run a knife along bottom and around tube to loosen and remove tube. Turn upside down onto a cake round slightly smaller than the cake, and slice horizontally into 3 layers using a serrated knife.
• Spread half the filling on the bottom layer, and cover with the middle layer. Spread remaining filling on middle layer, and cover with top layer. Refrigerate overnight, or until set. Brush off excess crumbs with a dry pastry brush.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare meringue, and spread it all over cake, swirling with an icing spatula as desired. Set cake, still on cake round, on an oiled baking sheet, and place in oven. Bake, watching carefully, until meringue is brown around edges and beginning to brown elsewhere. Transfer to a serving plate and serve as soon as possible. Slice using a knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry.

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 8-inch cake pans.
• Mix the cake mix, water, eggs, and vegetable oil as directed on the package, and pour batter into prepared cake pans.
• Bake the layers in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan at least 20 minutes or until completely cool.
• When the cake is completely cool, run a paring knife between the cake and the edge of the pan. Hold the cake pan on its side and gently tap the sides of the pan against the counter to loosen it. Cover the cake pan with a plate or cooling rack, and invert it to tip the cake out of the pan and onto the plate.
• To fill and decorate, lay a cake layer onto an oven-safe plate, and spread half the lemon filling over the bottom layer. Place a second layer gently on the lemon filling, and spread the rest of the filling on the top of the second layer. Top with third layer.
• Beat the egg whites in a bowl until they form stiff peaks, then gradually add the sugar and continue to beat until the mixture forms a fluffy, shiny meringue. Spread the meringue all over the cake like a frosting, spreading it into decorative peaks and swirls. Place the decorated cake back into the hot oven, and bake until the peaks and swirls of meringue are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Refrigerate 4 hours to overnight, then serve cold.

LEMON CAKE WITH LEMON MERINGUE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray. Dust lightly with flour and shake out the excess.
• Reserve half of the raspberries, and combine the other half with 1 tablespoon sugar and crush with a fork. Set aside.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, stir with a fork to evenly combine the ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
• Whisk together eggs, egg whites and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until it holds ribbons, about 2 minutes. Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the buttermilk mixture in 2 parts, beginning and ending with the flour. Stir together by hand until evenly combined and no lumps remain.
• Pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake in the center of the oven until a cake tester comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool on a baking rack for 10 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a baking rack to cool completely.
• Frosting: Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan that can hold an electric mixer bowl above the water. Whisk the sugar, egg whites, water, cream of tartar, and salt in the bowl by hand. Set the bowl above the boiling water and beat with an electric hand mixer at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat; beat in the lemon zest and vanilla.
• To assemble the cake: Place 1 layer on a flat serving or cake plate, top side down, and spread with crushed raspberries. Top with 3/4 cup frosting, spreading gently on top of the raspberries. Place the second cake layer on top, top side up, and frost the top and sides. Decorate with the reserved raspberries.

LEMON SPONGE CAKE WITH ITALIAN MERINGUE AND BLACKBERRY PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter individual tart pans.
• Carefully rinse blackberries and pat dry. (Set aside the 12 berries for garnish).
• Puree the half pint of berries in a food processor or blender until smooth, then strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer; discard seeds.
• Stir 1 tbsp sugar into puree, set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together flour, cake flour and salt and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks with 2 1/2 tbsp sugar until thick and lemon-coloured.
• Stir in lemon zest and vanilla.
• In another bowl, beat 3 egg whites along with cream of tartar to soft peaks.
• Gradually beat in 3 tbsp sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Quickly fold beaten egg whites into egg yolk mixture.
• Fold in flour mixture until just combined.
• Quickly fold in melted butter.
• Divide mixture evenly among tart pans; gently smooth tops.
• Place tart pans on baking sheet.
• Bake about 15 minutes until cakes are lightly browned and set in centre.
• Cool on wire rack, then remove from pans.
• In small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup water and remaining 3/4 cup sugar.
• Cook over medium heat until syrup reaches 238 F on a candy thermometer.
• Remove from heat.
• Beat remaining three egg whites to form soft peaks, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• With the mixer running at medium speed, add syrup in a slow stream.
• Continure beating until meringue is cool and stiff peaks form, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place cakes on a baking sheet.
• Divide meringue evenly among cakes and spread over the top (or the meringue also can be spooned into a pastry bag with a large round tip and piped over the cakes).
• Place cakes under the broiler until edges are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
• To serve the cakes, garnish each with a couple of blackberries and drizzle a little blackberry puree around each cake.
• Serve immediately.

LEMON MERINGUE ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Line the base of a 20cm round springform cake tin with greaseproof paper. Cut the Madeira cake into 1cm slices and use to line the base of the tin. Fill in the gaps between the slices with small pieces of cake.
• Break the meringues into pieces and put into a large bowl. Tip in all the crème fraîche and fold together. Dollop large spoonfuls of the meringue mixture and lemon curd into the tin. Don't stir. Spread level with a palette knife, then tap the tin on the counter surface to make sure the mixture is packed down. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, remove the cake from the tin and put on a serving plate. Decorate with red summer berries.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH LEMON MERINGUE ICING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Sift the flour, 3/4 cup of the sugar, salt and lemon zest together 3 times.
• Beat the egg whites, water, lemon juice, cream of tartar and extracts together with an electric mixer on low speed until frothy. Increase to medium speed and beat until the mixture is 4 times its original volume, about 2 to 3 more minutes.
• Continue beating and add the remaining sugar, gradually over 3 minutes.
• Sift the flour mixture into the egg white mixture, 1/4 cup at a time with a spatula, working the batter as little as possible.
• Pour the batter into an ungreased 10" tube pan. Run a knife around the center of the batter and tap the pan on the counter to remove any air pockets in the batter. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until the cake is light golden brown and well risen.
• Immediately invert the pan on the neck of a bottle until the cake is completely cool. Slide a knife around the pan and remove the cake. (This can be done in advance and stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.).
• For the icing:.
• In a bowl, combine the egg whites, sugar, water, lemon juice, corn syrup and cream of tartar. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm to the touch.
• Remove from heat and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form and the meringue is cool. Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest and mix on high speed until stiffer peaks form.
• Place the cake on a serving platter and spread the icing over the top and sides of the cake. (Do not ice the cake more than 5 hours ahead or the frosting will lose volume and become grainy.).

SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM FOR MEYER LEMON ANNIVERSARY CAKE

Steps:

• Whisk egg whites, sugar, and salt in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water until sugar has dissolved and mixture registers 160 degrees, about 4 minutes. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until cool and stiff (but not dry) peaks form, about 6 minutes.
• Fit mixer with the paddle attachment. With mixer on medium-low speed, add butter, several pieces at a time, mixing well after each addition (meringue will deflate slightly as butter is added). Mix until frosting comes together but is still smooth and glossy, 3 to 5 minutes. Tint with food coloring; stir until smooth.

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY RHUBARB SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Grease and flour square pan, 9x9x2 inches. Beat all ingredients except Meringue and Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
• Bake 17 to 21 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Increase oven temperature to 400°. Make meringue. Spread over cake, sealing meringue to edge of pan.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until meringue is light brown; cool. Serve with Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce.
• Meringue: Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not underbeat. Beat in vanilla.
• Strawberry-Rhubarb Sauce: Heat rhubarb and sugar to boiling in 1-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Mix cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water; stir into rhubarb mixture. Simmer uncovered about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb is tender. Cool sauce. Stir in strawberries.

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• Start by making the curd. Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and whisk together. It will look like it has curdled but don't worry - simply put the pan over a low heat and stir constantly until it is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pass the mixture through a sieve into a bowl. Leave to cool, covered with cling film. Put in the fridge until ready to use, preferably overnight.
• For the caramel sugar syrup, heat the caster sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat until it melts and starts to caramelise. Stir until smooth and a deep golden colour. Remove from the heat and carefully pour in 50ml boiling water. It will steam and spit a little, so take care. (If the sugar hardens, pop the pan back on the heat for 1-2 mins to melt again.) Stir, pour immediately into a heatproof jug and top up with a little extra boiling water (about 10ml) so you have 100ml of liquid in total. Leave on one side to cool.
• To make the cake, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease 3 x 20cm sandwich tins, lining the bases and sides with baking parchment.
• In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugars with an electric whisk until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 tbsp flour, then add the eggs, a little at a time, beating after each addition until fully combined.
• Mix together the remaining dry ingredients, the lemon zest and 1/2 tsp salt, then fold in to the butter mixture with the caramel sugar syrup. Divide the batter between the tins and level the tops with the back of a wet spoon. Bake for 25-30 mins or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peeling off the parchment. Leave to cool completely.
• Make the caramelised lemon slices while the cakes are baking. Slice the lemon into 5mm thick slices, discarding the ends. In a shallow non-stick pan, bring 350ml water and the sugar to the boil. Add the lemon slices, boil for 10 mins, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 20-25 mins until the liquid has evaporated and the slices have caramelised. Remove from the pan and put on a non-stick A silicone mat or baking parchment to cool.
• To assemble the cake. Place a sponge the right way up on a cake board or presentation plate. Top with an even layer of curd but don't go right to the edge, leave about 1cm uncovered. Gently put the next sponge on top and repeat the process, putting the last sponge upside down on top.
• To make the Italian meringue, put the sugar and 175ml water in a saucepan and B bring to a rolling boil over a high heat. Continue to boil until it reaches 115C on a sugar thermometer. Meanwhile, put the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl (a tabletop mixer is ideal if you have one). Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks (when lifting the whisk out, the peaks should slowly vanish back into the mixture). Whisk the egg whites at high speed and very slowly trickle in the hot syrup. The meringue will C begin to thicken and go glossy after about 10 mins. Continue to whisk until it is still just warm. Use the meringue immediately, as it is easier to work with while warm.
• Using a palette knife, spread a thin layer of meringue around the side of the cake to level and square it up, then spread an even layer about 3mm thick on the top of the cake (see step-by-step for guidance). Put the remaining meringue in a large piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle and pipe vertical columns up the side of the cake, level with the top. Finally, pipe small meringue stars on the top of the columns. It's easier to do this with the cake on a turntable.
• Brown the meringue using a kitchen blowtorch. Finally, cut the caramelised lemon slices in half and use to decorate the top of the cake. Will keep for 3 days in the fridge.

LEMON-MERINGUE SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush a 9-by-13-inch or 8-by-12-inch baking pan with butter. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides. Butter parchment.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine eggs and sugar in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until thick and pale, about 4 minutes. Add flour mixture; beat just to combine. Add butter, lemon zest, and vanilla; beat to combine. Add sour cream; beat until smooth.
• Scrape batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with a spatula. Bake until top springs back when lightly touched and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes (for 9-by-13-inch) or about 40 minutes (for 8-by-12).
• Let cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Using parchment overhangs, lift cake out of pan and let cool completely on rack. (Cake can be made to this point and stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic, up to 1 day.)
• Meringue Frosting: Place 1 cup sugar, 5 tablespoons water, and cream of tartar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then cook 4 minutes. Meanwhile, beat egg whites on high speed to soft peaks, 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, beating until sugar has dissolved. (If ready before sugar syrup, keep whites moving on lowest speed.)
• With mixer running, gradually pour hot syrup into meringue (aim for side of bowl, and avoid beater). Continue beating until cool to the touch and very fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Spread over top of cake. Lightly brown with a torch (or under broiler about 30 seconds). Frosted cake is best the day it's assembled.

LEMON-LIME MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and flour. Stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer., Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in the juices, butter and zests. Transfer to a small bowl; cool for 10 minutes. Refrigerate until chilled., For cake: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the sour cream, juices and lemon zest. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream mixture, beating well after each addition., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Place the cake circle on a baking sheet; layer with one cake layer and half of filling. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. , For meringue: In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. , Spread meringue over top and sides of cake. Bake at 350° for 28-32 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Carefully transfer to a cake plate. Refrigerate leftovers.

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Spray 2 (9") round cake pans with nonstick spray.
• Line bottoms with parchment or wax paper and spray paper with nonstick spray.
• TO MAKE CAKE:.
• Combine flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.
• Whisk milk, 3/4 cup sugar, egg substitue, and oil in large bowl, whisk in flour mixture just until blended.
• With electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks from.
• Add remaining 4 Tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoons at a time, beating until firm peaks form.
• With rubber spatula, gently fold beaten whites into flour mixture until no streaks of white remain.
• Divide batter evenly among pans.
• Bake until toothpick inserted into center of each layer comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.
• Run knife around each layer to loosen from pan.
• Invert each layer onto rack; remove parchment paper.
• Let cool completely.
• With long serrated knife, split each layer in half to make a total of 4 layers.
• Arrange 3 layers cut side up on work surface; spread each with 2 tablespoons lemon curd.
• Place 1 layer filling side up on serving plate.
• Top with 2 more layers, filling side up.
• Cover with reamining cake layer, cut side down.
• If making ahead can wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze up to 1 month.
• Let thaw in refrigerator overnight.
• TO MAKE FROSTING:.
• Whisk egg whites and sugar in large metal bowl of electric stand mixer,.
• Set bowl in large saucepan over 1 inch of simmering water.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is hot, 5-7 minutes.
• Transfer bowl to mixer; add vanilla.
• With whisk attachment on medium-high speed, beat until stiff glossy peaks form and mixture is completely cool, 5-7 minutes.
• Spread frosting at once over tiop and sided of cake.
• ADD a FLOURISH:.
• Flame frosting to add pizzazz, ignite a hand held torch and move flame continously in small circles over frosting until it is lightly browned as in a meringue pie.

LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• Make pudding mix as directed on box for pie, using all remaining filling ingredients. Refrigerate about 1 1/2 hours or until chilled.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Grease sides of two 9- or 8-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms of pans with cooking parchment paper. In medium bowl, beat cake flour, 3/4 cup sugar, the baking powder, salt, shortening, milk, vanilla and 4 egg yolks with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. (Batter will be stiff.) Spread evenly in pans.
• In small bowl, beat 4 egg whites with electric mixer on medium speed until foamy. Beat in 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread half of meringue over batter in each pan.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until meringue looks set and dry. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen meringues from edges of pans with point of knife if necessary. Carefully remove from pans and peel off paper. Cool completely with meringue sides up on cooling racks, about 1 hour.
• Spread 1 1/4 cups pudding over meringue on 1 cake layer. Place other cake layer, meringue side up, on first layer. Top with remaining pudding. Serve within 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator.

4-LAYER SKY-HIGH LEMON MERINGUE CAKE PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mush two prepared pie crusts together to line a 9-inch super deep dish pie plate. Crimp the edges decoratively. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk and cream to make a glaze. Prick the bottom of the shell with a fork, brush the top edges with the glaze, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Weight the shell with pie weights or dried beans, and bake until the edges begin to brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove paper and weights; continue baking until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes more. Let cool.
• You will need at least 4 9-inch spring-form pans to prepare each layer of the pie separately.
• To make the first layer of pie filling, disolve a packet of gelatin in water and bring to a boil over the stove, turn down the heat and then combine 1/3 cup each of cornstarch & cake flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup sugar over medium heat. Gradually add 1 cups cold water, and bring to a boil again, whisking constantly, about 4 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat. Temper 5 egg yolks by beating a small amount of hot mixture into the yolks before adding them to pan. You do not want them to scramble/curdle. You just want to heat the beaten yolks but keep them in a creamy, liquid form. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat, and whisk in the lemon juice and rind. Add the butter one piece at a time. Pour the mixture into a large bowl, and let cool.
• Once cooled, pour the filling into a 9 inch spring form pan, covered with aluminum foil, and chill in the refrigerator until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Repeat the above steps again, for the second layer of pie, and once completed, pour into another 9-inch springform pan and let chill.
• In two additional 9-inch spring form pans, bake two lemon cakes using one half of a box of cake mix (Williams-Sonoma Meyer Lemon Pound Cake Mix) for one pan, and 1/2 the mix for the other pan. Let the cakes cool.
• You should now have 4 layers---- 2 springform pans of chilled pie filling, and 2 spring form pans of thin lemon cake. To assemble the pie, start with the pre-cooked crust and sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar across the bottom of the crust with either a fork or a brush. Then open the spring form pan of pie filling and place on top of the powdered sugar crust. A layer of lemon cake goes on top of that. Then place the second pie filling layer on top of that. You want to end up with a layer of cake on the very top, and the meringue topping will sit on that top layer of cake.
• To make the meringue, pour the egg whites and creme of tartar into a very clean and dry copper or stainless steal mixing bowl. Beat on a low speed with an electric mixer. Gradually add in the salt and extra-fine sugar, but very very slowly, and gradually turn up the speed of the mixer. You want the egg white to beat till they form soft shiny frothy peaks, but not so stiff that they aren't flexible enough to swirl. Add the Vanilla at the very last moment. With a rubber spatula, swirl the beaten meringue into a 9-inch spring form pan, covering the entire perimeter of the pan and bake for 6 minutes or until lightly brown.
• Let the Meringue topping cool for at least a half hour, then undo the spring form pan and place on top of the other cake/pie layers.

SCOTT BIEBER'S LEMON MERINGUE CAKE

Steps:

• To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Flour pans, tapping out excess; set aside. In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and the lemon zest. Add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat until just combined.
• Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand in pans until cool, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove cakes from pans. Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes. Slice each cake horizontally into 3 layers. Place one layer on a serving platter. Spread with 1/4 cup lemon curd. Top with second layer of cake. Spread with 1/4 cup curd. Repeat with remaining cake and curd, finishing with a layer of cake. Transfer to refrigerator until ready to use, at least 2 hours.
• Remove cake from refrigerator. Spread a thin even layer of meringue over sides of cake. Mound the remaining meringue on top of cake. Use a handheld torch to brown meringue.