Merveilleux (dessert) facts for kids
The merveilleux (say "mare-vay-YUH") is a super yummy little cake! It's like a sweet sandwich made with two light and airy meringues. These are stuck together with fluffy whipped cream. Then, the whole cake is covered in even more whipped cream and sprinkled with tasty chocolate shavings. Sometimes, a bright red candied cherry sits on top!
Contents
Discover the Merveilleux Cake
What Makes a Merveilleux So Special?
A merveilleux cake is all about its amazing texture. It has two crispy, melt-in-your-mouth meringues. These are made from whipped egg whites and sugar. They are very light and delicate. Between the meringues, and all around the cake, is rich whipped cream. The outside is then covered in chocolate shavings. This makes each bite a mix of crunchy and creamy!
Where Did This Delicious Cake Come From?
The merveilleux cake first appeared in Belgium. But it quickly became popular in France too. Today, you can find these delightful treats in many cities. Some bakeries in the United States even make them. It's a dessert that has traveled around the world!
Famous Bakers and Their Unique Merveilleux
Many talented bakers have created their own special versions of the merveilleux.
- Confectioner and chocolatier Pierre Marcolini made his own recipe.
- French baker Frédéric Vaucamps also created unique types. He gave them fun, descriptive names.
- Impensable means unthinkable and has a coffee flavor.
- Excentrique means eccentric and features cherry.
- Magnifique means magnificent and uses praline.
- Vaucamps also used names from old French fashion. The Incroyables and Merveilleuses were stylish people in the late 1700s.
- His Incroyable cake uses a special speculoos cream. It also has white chocolate shavings.
- The Sans-Culotte cake has a yummy caramel flavor.
Other Delicious Merveilleux Variations
In some parts of France, you might find other versions of this cake. These are sometimes called "boule choco" or "arlequin." Instead of whipped cream, they often use chocolate butter cream. The whole cake is shaped like a ball. It is completely covered in chocolate chips. These variations are just as tasty and fun!
