Chocolate Meringue Torte

Submitted by SmilinJenE

"This divine dessert is a chocoholic's dream come true with its moist made-from-scratch cake and crunchy meringue."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 20
• Serves: 10

ingredients

• MERINGUE

• 4 egg whites
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 2⁄3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• CAKE

• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2 1⁄2 cups whipped topping
• 1 tablespoon toffee pieces or 1 tablespoon almond brickle chips
• 1⁄2 ounce semisweet chocolate, shaved

directions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; trace two 8-inch circles 1 inch apart on the paper; set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add sugar one tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa over meringue; gently fold inches Fold in vanilla. Spread evenly over circles. Bake at 275°F for 1 hour.
3. Turn oven off and do not open door; Let meringues dry for 1 hour. Remove meringues from paper and store in an airtight container.
4. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add egg, then egg white, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vinegar and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda; add to batter alternately with buttermilk and water. Pour into two 9-inch round baking pans coated with nonstick cooking spray and floured. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
5. To assemble, spread 1/2 cup whipped topping over one cake layer; top with a meringue and another 1/2 cup topping. Top with second cake layer, 1/2 cup topping, second meringue, and remaining topping. Sprinkle with toffee bits and shaved chocolate.