Bien Me Sabe (Venezuelan Coconut Layer Cake)

Entered for safe-keeping for ZWT; this is an adaptation of several recipes. "Bien Me Sabe" translates as "Tastes Good To Me", and there are regional variations across Spanish-speaking countries. This is a traditional (very sweet) dessert in Venezuela. I would describe this as similar to Tiramisu, but the Venezuelan Bien Me Sabe typically has a distinctive meringue topping. As a make-ahead alternative, bake individual meringues (using pastry bag with tip) on parchment paper and place on refrigerated cake mixture just before serving.

• Ready In: 24 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• COCONUT CREAM FILLING

• 8  ounces evaporated milk
• 6  egg yolks
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 2 (8 1/2ounce) cans  Coco Lopez (cream of coconut)
• 2  tablespoons cornstarch

• CAKE

• 24  ladyfingers or 1⁄4 lb  sponge cakes or 1  lb  poundcake

• SIMPLE SYRUP

• 4  tablespoons brandy or 4  tablespoons rum
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  cup cold water

• GARNISHES

• 1  cup  frozen coconut, thawed
•  ground cinnamon (for garnish)

• MERINGUE

• 6  egg whites
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. MAKE COCONUT CREAM FILLING:
2. Mix milk, yolks, and sugar in a saucepan and heat until mixture starts to thicken.
3. Add Coco López and corn starch and continue to cook until the cream is thick and smooth.
4. Cool to room temperature.
5. CUT CAKE PIECES:
6. If using ladyfingers, go to next step.
7. If using sponge cake or pound cake, cut the cake into slices 1/2-inch thick.
8. PREPARE BRANDY AND COCONUT:
9. Mix brandy with sugar and water.
10. LAYER CAKE (at least 2 layers):
11. Cover bottom of 13 X 9 glass baking dish with some of the coconut cream filling, and layer ladyfingers or cake slices to cover.
12. Pour some brandy/sugar/water over cake layer. Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top, then some coconut.
13. Repeat in layers.
14. Refrigerate overnight.
15. PREPARE MERINGUE WHEN READY TO SERVE:
16. Preheat broiler.
17. In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy.
18. Beat in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablesoon at a time.
19. Beat in vanilla extract with the last tablespoon of sugar.
20. Continue beating until egg whites hold a soft peak.
21. Top the Bien Me Sabe with the meringue, sprinkle on a little cinnamon and coconut, and broil it a few seconds or 1 minute until the meringue is golden brown. (A culinary torch could be used instead of the broiler.).