Meringue roulade with clementine curd, cream and passion fruit

Light, airy texture of meringue with the refreshing citrus flavours of clementine and the tropical sweetness of passion fruit, creating a visually stunning and deliciously indulgent treat.

This dessert is high in sugar and fat, primarily from the meringue, cream, and clotted cream. While it contains some fruit, the overall nutritional profile is indulgent. (nutri-score)

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Heatproof bowl
• Electric whisk
• 36x30cm/14x12in baking tray
• Baking parchment
• Large mixing bowl
• Serving plate

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Ingredients

For the clementine curd:

• Clementines: 4, zest and juice
• Caster sugar: 40g/1½oz
• Free-range eggs: 2
• Unsalted butter: 50g/1¾oz, cubed

For the meringue:

• Free-range egg whites: 6
• Caster sugar: 350g/12oz
• Icing sugar: for dusting

To decorate:

• Double cream: 300ml/10fl oz
• Orange liqueur: 25ml/1fl oz
• Passion fruit: 6, ripe and halved
• Fresh rosemary sprigs: a few
• Clotted cream: 250g/9oz

Method

Prepare the Clementine Curd

• Bring a small pan of water to a simmer.
• In a heatproof bowl, whisk together clementine zest, juice, sugar, and eggs.
• Add cubed butter and place over simmering water.
• Whisk for about 10 minutes until the curd thickens.
• Set aside to cool.

Make the Meringue

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
• Line a 36x30cm/14x12in baking tray with baking parchment, ensuring it comes up the sides.
• Whisk egg whites to stiff peaks in a large, clean mixing bowl.
• Slowly whisk in caster sugar until combined, being careful not to overmix.
• Spread meringue evenly over the prepared baking tray.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven to lowest temperature.
• Continue baking for 15 more minutes.

Prepare the Roulade

• Remove meringue from oven and allow to cool slightly.
• Dust a piece of baking parchment with icing sugar.
• Turn the roulade out onto the paper, crust-side down.
• Carefully peel away the baking paper and allow to cool.

Assemble the Roulade

• Spread clementine curd over the meringue surface.
• Whip double cream and orange liqueur to soft peaks.
• Spread whipped cream over the curd.
• Spread passion fruit juice and seeds over the cream.
• Roll up the meringue from one short end to form a roulade.

Serve

• Place the roulade on a serving plate.
• Dust with more icing sugar.
• Decorate with rosemary sprigs.
• Serve with clotted cream.

Nutritional Health Check

This dessert receives a Nutri-score of D, indicating it is less healthy. The high sugar content from the meringue and caster sugar, combined with the saturated fats from butter, double cream, and clotted cream, contribute to this score. While the fruit provides some nutritional benefits, they are outweighed by the high-calorie ingredients. This score is automatically calculated based on the recipe ingredients and should be considered a guide only.

Recipe FAQ

• Can I make the clementine curd in advance?

A: Yes, you can make the curd up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

• How long will the finished roulade keep?

A: The roulade is best eaten on the day it’s made but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

• Can I use store-bought lemon curd instead of making clementine curd?

A: Yes, you can substitute with store-bought lemon curd, but the flavor profile will be different.

• What can I use instead of orange liqueur?

A: You can use orange juice or omit it entirely if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.

• Can I make this dessert gluten-free?

A: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check individual ingredient labels to be sure.

• How do I prevent my meringue from cracking when rolling?

A: Roll the meringue while it’s still slightly warm and use the parchment paper to help guide it.

• Can I freeze this roulade?

A: It’s not recommended to freeze this dessert as the texture of the meringue and cream will change upon thawing.

• What if I don’t have fresh passion fruit?

A: You can use canned passion fruit pulp or substitute with another tangy fruit like raspberries.

• Can I use a different type of cream instead of clotted cream?

A: Yes, you can serve it with whipped cream or even vanilla ice cream instead.

• How far in advance can I assemble the roulade?

A: For best results, assemble the roulade no more than 2-3 hours before serving.