Brazo de Mercedes, a Filipino classic, is celebrated for its cloud-like meringue that simply dissolves on your palate. The delicate sweetness of the meringue perfectly complements the rich, creamy custard filling, creating an exquisite dessert experience.
The name “Brazos De Mercedes,” which translates to “Arms of Mercedes,” evokes images of grace and delicacy, perfectly capturing the essence of this beloved Filipino rolled cake. It shares similarities with custard cake but distinguishes itself with a fluffier meringue and a lavish filling encased within, rather than atop. While it might seem like a complex bake, creating Brazos de Mercedes at home is surprisingly straightforward with the right guidance. Let’s embark on this delightful culinary journey and prepare a truly exceptional Brazos de Mercedes.
Crafting Your Own Brazos De Mercedes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing the Meringue: The Foundation of Brazos De Mercedes
Begin by whisking together the egg whites and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl. Employ an electric mixer to beat this mixture until soft peaks gently form. This initial step is paramount in achieving the signature light and airy texture of the meringue, which serves as the very soul of our Brazos de Mercedes.
Sweetening the Meringue to Perfection
Gradually introduce granulated sugar, about 3/4 cup, into the egg white mixture while continuing to beat with the electric mixer. Maintain beating until the meringue attains a semi-firm consistency. This process ensures the meringue is not only sweet but also develops a beautiful gloss, creating the ideal outer layer for our dessert.
Preparing for Baking: Setting the Stage
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms, prepare a baking sheet or a large baking tray by lining it with wax paper and lightly greasing the paper. This crucial step will prevent the delicate meringue from sticking, ensuring a seamless roll later on.
Spreading and Baking the Meringue Base
Carefully spoon the prepared meringue onto the greased wax paper, using a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the meringue turns a light to medium golden brown. This baking process creates the wonderfully fluffy base layer that is characteristic of authentic Brazos de Mercedes.
Creating the Luscious Custard Filling
While the meringue is baking to golden perfection, turn your attention to the creamy, rich filling. In a small saucepan, combine 10 large egg yolks with 14 ounces of condensed milk. Heat this mixture over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching and ensure even thickening. Continue stirring until the custard thickens to your desired consistency. Once thickened, remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Set this delectable filling aside; it will impart a delightful sweetness and richness to your Brazos de Mercedes.
Cooling and Assembling: Bringing It All Together
Once the meringue is baked, carefully remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly for a few minutes. Dust the top of the meringue generously with 3 tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar. Then, place another sheet of wax paper over the sugared meringue. Using a baking pan or tray, gently flip the meringue, removing the wax paper that is now on top, preparing it to receive the creamy filling.
Rolling the Brazos De Mercedes: The Final Flourish
Spread the luscious, thickened custard filling evenly over the surface of the meringue. Starting from the longest side, carefully begin to roll the meringue, gently encasing the creamy filling within. This rolling technique is essential for achieving the signature rolled shape that defines Brazos de Mercedes.
Finally, delicately transfer your beautifully rolled Brazos de Mercedes to a serving platter. Your elegant and delicious dessert is now ready to be presented and savored!
Brazos De Mercedes Ingredients: Simple Yet Sublime
The ingredient list for Brazos de Mercedes is surprisingly concise, featuring just a handful of items readily available in most local grocery stores and supermarkets. You’ll find that creating this exquisite dessert doesn’t require exotic ingredients, just simple components combined in perfect harmony. However, to ensure success, you will need a few essential kitchen tools. Let’s review both the equipment and ingredients required to bring Brazos de Mercedes to life.
Essential Equipment
- Electric Mixer: Crucial for whipping the egg whites and cream of tartar to the required soft peaks. Without an electric mixer, achieving the light and airy meringue texture—the hallmark of Brazos de Mercedes—becomes significantly challenging. The electric mixer ensures the meringue attains the necessary stability and volume for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Oven: Indispensable for baking the meringue base to a perfect golden brown.
- Wax Paper: Essential to prevent the delicate meringue from sticking to the baking surface. Wax paper also plays a vital role in the rolling process, allowing for a clean and easy roll.
- Baking Sheet or Rectangular Baking Tray: One is needed to bake the meringue, while a second similar-sized tray or pan will be used to assist in flipping the meringue during the assembly stage.
Key Ingredients
- 10 Large Eggs (Yolks and Whites Separated): The foundation of both the meringue and the custard filling. Egg whites create the airy meringue, while the yolks enrich the creamy custard, showcasing the versatility of eggs in this recipe.
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar: This crucial ingredient stabilizes the egg whites, enabling them to whip into stiff, glossy peaks. Cream of tartar ensures the meringue maintains its structure and prevents it from collapsing, resulting in a perfectly fluffy Brazos de Mercedes.
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Infuses a delicate, aromatic sweetness into the custard filling, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dessert.
- 3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the meringue and contributes to its characteristic glossy texture. The sugar also aids in stabilizing the egg whites, creating a more robust meringue structure.
- 3 Tablespoons Confectioners Sugar: Used to dust the baked meringue. Confectioners’ sugar adds a touch of extra sweetness and, more importantly, prevents the meringue from sticking to itself or the wax paper when rolling.
- 14 Ounces Condensed Milk: Forms the creamy, rich base of the custard filling. Condensed milk provides sweetness and a thick, luxurious texture, making the Brazos de Mercedes filling truly decadent and indulgent.
Serving Suggestions for Brazos De Mercedes
To serve Brazos de Mercedes with elegance, carefully transfer the rolled cake to a serving plate using a spatula or a large knife. For a refined presentation, dust the top generously with confectioners’ sugar, creating a snowy white finish. Alternatively, enhance its visual appeal and flavor by garnishing with fresh fruits such as vibrant strawberries or mixed berries. For those who prefer an extra layer of sweetness, consider drizzling luscious syrups like caramel or chocolate over the Brazos de Mercedes just before serving.
Remember to slice the cake into generous portions, revealing the beautiful spiral of soft meringue and creamy filling within. Brazos de Mercedes is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, making it a versatile dessert suitable for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to more formal celebrations. It serves as a perfect centerpiece that is sure to impress and delight your guests.
Beyond Brazos De Mercedes: Exploring More Cake Delights
If you’re eager to expand your baking repertoire and explore other delectable cake recipes, here are some wonderful and delicious options to consider for your next baking adventure:
Black Forest Cupcake Recipe
Fruity Prune Cake
Strawberry Angel Food Cake
New York Style Cheesecake
Have you tried making Brazos de Mercedes? Share your creations with us! Tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or use the hashtag #panlasangpinoy – we’d love to see your baking success!
Ingredients for Brazos de Mercedes
- 10 large eggs, separated into yolks and whites for meringue and custard filling
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar, stabilizes egg whites for perfect meringue
- 1 tsp vanilla extract, enhances the creamy custard filling with aroma
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar, sweetens and stabilizes the meringue
- 3 tbsp confectioners sugar, for dusting and preventing sticking during rolling
- 14 oz condensed milk, base for a rich and creamy Brazos de Mercedes filling
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Meringue Base: Combine egg whites and cream of tartar, beat with mixer until soft peaks form, key to airy texture.
- Sweeten Meringue: Gradually add granulated sugar while mixing, continue to semi-firm texture for glossy finish.
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350F, line baking sheet with greased wax paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake Meringue: Spread meringue on paper, bake 20-22 mins until light brown for fluffy base.
- Make Custard Filling: Combine egg yolks and condensed milk in pot, heat and stir until thick, the rich center.
- Flavor Filling: Remove from heat, mix in vanilla extract to custard, sets aside for flavor infusion.
- Cool & Dust Meringue: Cool baked meringue, dust with confectioners sugar for subtle sweetness.
- Flip & Fill: Flip meringue onto new paper, remove top paper, ready for creamy filling spread.
- Roll Brazos de Mercedes: Spread filling, roll from long side enclosing filling for signature shape.
- Serve: Transfer to plate, ready to enjoy this elegant Filipino dessert, Brazos de Mercedes.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
Serving Size: 6 servings
Calories: 432kcal (22% Daily Value)
Carbohydrates: 66g (22%)
Protein: 14g (28%)
Fat: 13g (20%)
Saturated Fat: 6g (30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0.03g
Cholesterol: 295mg (98%)
Sodium: 189mg (8%)
Potassium: 389mg (11%)
Sugar: 65g (72%)
Vitamin A: 573IU (11%)
Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)
Calcium: 229mg (23%)
Iron: 1mg (6%)
© copyright: Vanjo Merano
