photo by Michael Spain-Smith
yield
Serves 12
As much as I like a pavlova, this dessert takes that classic combination and blows it out of the water. Piña Colada Pastry Cream lightened with softly whipped cream, layered with caramelized fresh pineapple, crunchy-chewy French meringue, and crisp strips of toasted coconut is textural nirvana. Searing fresh pineapple in a skillet adds caramel flavor to balance very sweet fruit. This is a showstopper.
Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare the meringue cookie batter as directed. Using a piping bag with a 1/2-inch plain tip, or using a spoon, form the meringue into three 8-inch disks on the lined baking sheets, each about 1/2 inch thick.
Bake for about 45 minutes, until crisp on the outside but still moist in the center. Cool completely in the oven.
Halve the pineapple lengthwise and cut the pieces crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Heat a very thin layer of oil in large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add the pineapple. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until seared and golden, then flip the pieces and sear the other side. Transfer the pieces to a plate and sprinkle them lightly with salt; cool to room temperature.
Whip the cream until soft peaks form; sift the confectioners' sugar over it and whip until combined and the cream forms medium-firm peaks. Put the pastry cream in a large bowl and whisk to loosen it.
Add about a third of the whipped cream and whisk it into the pastry cream to lighten it. Using a large spatula, add the remaining whipped cream and fold it into the pastry cream until just combined. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the cream and transfer the remainder to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip.
Put one meringue disk onto a serving plate and pipe a spiral of pastry cream (using a little less than half of it) over it, covering it completely but leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Blot the pineapple pieces with a paper towel and arrange half of them, fanning them in a concentric circle, over the pastry cream. Put another meringue disk on top and repeat with the remaining pastry cream and pineapple. Top with the remaining meringue disk and, using a small off set spatula, spread the reserved pastry cream in a thin even layer over the top. Sprinkle the coconut evenly over the top.
The torte can be sliced immediately and served but is better if refrigerated for at least 1 hour and no longer than 3 hours to soften the meringue.
Reprinted from Sugar Rush: Master Tips, Techniques, and Recipes for Sweet Baking, by Johnny Iuzzini, with Wes Martin, Copyright © 2014, published by Clarkson Potter.
Johnny Iuzzini, winner of the James Beard award for Outstanding Pastry Chef and recognized as one of the 10 Most Influential Pastry Chefs in America by Forbes, was the executive pastry chef of the world-renowned Jean Georges restaurant in New York City for ten years and also the head judge of Top Chef: Just Desserts. He currently runs his own pastry and culinary arts consulting company named Sugar Fueled Inc. Sugar Rush is a complete baking course in a book with everything a home baker needs to confidently turn out 150+ sweets with sophisticated flavors.
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