Brazo de Mercedes, a Filipino classic, is loved for its heavenly combination of melt-in-your-mouth meringue and rich custard filling. This elegant dessert, whose name evokes “arm of mercy” or “Our Lady of Mercy’s arm”, is surprisingly simple to make at home. Similar to a custard cake but with a light, airy meringue exterior and a decadent filling inside, this Brazo De Mercedes Recipe will guide you through each step to create a perfect, impressive treat.
What is Brazo de Mercedes?
Brazo de Mercedes is a traditional Filipino rolled meringue cake. It consists of a soft, fluffy meringue sheet enveloping a creamy, rich custard filling. Unlike some custard cakes where the custard is on top, Brazo de Mercedes features a generous layer of custard rolled within the meringue, creating a beautiful swirl when sliced. Its delicate texture and sweet, balanced flavors make it a popular dessert for special occasions and everyday enjoyment.
Why You’ll Love This Brazo de Mercedes Recipe
This recipe makes creating Brazo de Mercedes straightforward and enjoyable. You will appreciate:
- The Taste: The contrast between the light, sweet meringue and the rich, creamy custard is simply irresistible.
- Easy to Follow: Clear, step-by-step instructions ensure success, even for beginner bakers.
- Impressive Dessert: Brazo de Mercedes looks elegant and tastes divine, perfect for impressing family and friends.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this dessert in advance, making it ideal for gatherings.
Ingredients for Brazo de Mercedes
You only need a handful of common ingredients to make this delightful Filipino dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Meringue:
- 10 large egg whites
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
For the Custard Filling:
- 10 large egg yolks
- 14 ounces condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Brazo de Mercedes Recipe
Let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps to create your own Brazo de Mercedes.
Making the Meringue Base
- Prepare the Egg Whites: In a clean, dry bowl, combine the 10 egg whites and ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar. Cream of tartar helps stabilize the egg whites and create a firmer meringue.
- Beat to Soft Peaks: Using an electric mixer, beat the egg white mixture until soft peaks form. This is a crucial step for achieving the light and airy texture of the meringue.
Sweetening the Meringue
- Gradually Add Sugar: With the mixer running, gradually add ¾ cup of granulated sugar to the egg whites.
- Beat to Semi-Firm Peaks: Continue beating until the meringue reaches a semi-firm texture and looks glossy. This sweetened meringue will form the base of your Brazo de Mercedes.
Baking the Meringue
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet or a large rectangular baking pan with wax paper and lightly grease the wax paper. This prevents sticking and aids in easy rolling later.
- Spread Meringue: Spoon the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
- Bake: Bake the meringue in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the top turns a light to medium golden brown. This baking time will ensure a fluffy yet slightly firm meringue base.
Preparing the Custard Filling
- Combine Egg Yolks and Condensed Milk: While the meringue is baking, in a small pot, combine the 10 egg yolks and 14 ounces of condensed milk.
- Cook Over Low Heat: Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
- Thicken the Filling: Continue stirring until the mixture thickens to a custard consistency. This may take a few minutes.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Once thickened, remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for added flavor. Set the delicious custard filling aside to cool slightly.
Assembling the Brazo de Mercedes
- Cool the Meringue: Once baked, remove the meringue from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Dust with Confectioners’ Sugar: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar evenly over the top of the meringue.
- Flip the Meringue: Place another piece of wax paper over the sugared meringue. Using a baking pan or tray, carefully flip the meringue.
- Remove Wax Paper: Remove the wax paper that is now on top, revealing the underside of the baked meringue.
Rolling the Brazo de Mercedes
- Spread the Custard Filling: Evenly spread the prepared custard filling over the surface of the meringue.
- Roll Carefully: Starting from one of the longest sides, carefully roll the meringue up, enclosing the custard filling inside. Be gentle to avoid cracking the meringue.
- Transfer to Serving Plate: Once rolled, transfer your Brazo de Mercedes to a serving plate.
Tips for the Perfect Brazo de Mercedes
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: Room temperature egg whites whip up to a greater volume, resulting in a fluffier meringue.
- Clean Bowl and Whisk: Ensure your mixing bowl and whisk are completely clean and free of grease, as any grease can prevent the egg whites from whipping properly.
- Don’t Overbake the Meringue: Overbaking will make the meringue brittle and difficult to roll. Bake until lightly golden brown.
- Cool Slightly Before Rolling: Let the meringue cool slightly before rolling, but don’t let it cool completely as it might become too stiff.
- Gentle Rolling: Roll the meringue gently but firmly to create a tight roll without cracking the meringue.
Serving Suggestions
Brazo de Mercedes is best served chilled or at room temperature.
- Dust with Confectioners’ Sugar: For a classic look, dust the rolled cake with additional confectioners’ sugar before serving.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the Brazo de Mercedes into generous portions to reveal the beautiful swirl of meringue and custard.
- Garnish (Optional): You can garnish with fresh fruits like strawberries or berries for added visual appeal and a touch of freshness. A drizzle of caramel syrup is also a delicious addition for extra sweetness.
Enjoy your homemade Brazo de Mercedes! This recipe makes it easy to create this beloved Filipino dessert in your own kitchen. Perfect for any occasion, this brazo de mercedes recipe is sure to impress.
