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Coconut Meringue Cake with Mango Puree and Sliced Mango

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Meringue cake with mangoes on top with a slice being lifted out to put on a plate

MERINGUE INSPIRATION

I was inspired to create this recipe after discovering all the meringue cake combinations in the incredible Modern Baking cookbook by Donna Hay. Here in the United States, desserts with meringue just aren’t as common as they are in Australia, the UK and New Zealand, among other places. I was eager to give one a try, so I put together this coconut meringue cake with mango puree and sliced mango.

Side view of coconut cake topped with a layer of baked white meringue

AN EASY COCONUT CAKE RECIPE

I adapted this coconut cake from Stella Parks on Serious Eats in order to create a single 9″ layer that I could top with a cloud of meringue. Her recipe calls for coconut in three varieties: coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut flour. The result is nothing short of delicious and provides an authentic coconut taste without the cloying sunscreen flavor that accompanies so many desserts made with coconut extract (this cake doesn’t use any). Fluffy, pillow-light billows of meringue rest atop a single layer of moist, flavorful coconut cake. A bright yellow mango puree and thinly sliced mangoes fanned over the meringue add decoration, a pop of color, and provide a fresh, fruity vibrancy.

Top view of baked meringue covering a layer cake - on a marble background with parchment paper underneath

BAKING METHOD

Upon investigating meringue cakes and baking methods, I discovered that some recipes call for placing meringue onto the unbaked batter and putting the whole thing into the oven to cook simultaneously. Others instruct you to bake the cake first, and then add meringue and return to the oven to finish the top. I was wary of the first method, worried that it would leave me with a cooked meringue hiding raw batter underneath. I was also hesitant about the second method, wondering if I’d end up with a terribly dry cake under the meringue. Both methods seemed suspect.

Top view of meringue layer of coconut meringue layer cake with bowl of mango sauce and blue towel nearby

A MERINGUE BLANKET

I went with the -bake cake first, add meringue second- method, figuring that the risk of an over-baked cake was preferable to ending up with a gooey center. I share my internal debate because I’m sure you might be wondering about the method as well. It turns out that baking the cake fully, placing the uncooked meringue on top, then returning it to the oven again results in an amazingly moist cake. The meringue layer is firm on the outside and soft and marshmallow-like in the center. The meringue blanket helps the cake retain moisture during the second baking, keeping it from drying out at all. So fear not – it’ll be fine!

45 degree angle view of coconut cake with baked meringue layer on top on a marble background

The coconut cake and meringue layers are then topped with swirls of fresh mango puree and fanned out slices of mango. The combination of mango with coconut and meringue is truly delightful. The tropical flavors and varying textures play off of each other to create a really unique – and beautiful – dessert.

Meringue cake with mango sauce drizzled on top; small bowl of mango sauce next to cake
RECIPE NOTES

SPRINGFORM PAN – I used a 9″ springform pan so that I could easily remove the cake from the pan without damaging the baked meringue. If you don’t have a springform pan, you could try a regular 9″ cake pan with parchment strips in the base that extend several inches beyond the pan on each side in order to make a sling with which you could lift the cake out after baking. This would have to be done carefully if you don’t want to crack the meringue and cake. I’d use the springform if at all possible.

PARCHMENT LINING – I cut a circle of parchment to line the base of the springform pan, and then a long strip of parchment to wrap around the inside walls of the pan. I use medium binder clips to hold the parchment up and remove it just before baking. They also work wonderfully as bag clips to keep other pantry items fresh.

MANGOES – My current favorite variety of mango is the Ataúlfo, which is sometimes called a honey, yellow or champagne mango. These mangoes are native to Mexico and are ripe February through August. I find that they ripen more quickly and consistently than other varieties I’ve tried. I buy them in six packs from Costco and have to hide them at home or my husband and kids will eat most of them the first day. They’re that good!

MANGO PUREE – I used a stick blender to make the mango puree. If you don’t have one, you could certainly make it in a food processor or a blender.

Partially eaten slice of coconut meringue cake on a blue plate
Meringue cake with mangoes on top with slice cut out of it and knife resting on plate nearby
Meringue cake with mangoes on top with a slice being lifted out to put on a plate
Print Recipe

Coconut Meringue Cake with Mango Puree and Sliced Mango

Cook Time45 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

INGREDIENTS

COCONUT CAKE

  • 1 cup + 2 Tbsp (225g) granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/8 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup (56g, 2 oz) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (56g, 2 oz) coconut oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups (160g) all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (30g) coconut flour
  • 1 cup + 2 Tbsp (255g, 9 oz) coconut milk (I used full fat canned coconut milk)

MERINGUE TOPPING

  • 4 (approx. 120g) egg whites
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp cornstarch

MANGO PUREE AND SLICED MANGO

  • 2 mangoes (I used the yellow Ataulfo variety)
  • 2 Tbsp (42g) honey
  • 3-4 Tbsp (45g) coconut milk
  • mint leaves for decoration

INSTRUCTIONS

COCONUT CAKE

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 C). Prepare a 9 inch springform pan by cutting out a parchment circle for the base and a strip of parchment to go around the interior wall of the pan. The strip will be approximately 28 inches long and tall enough to reach from the base of the pan to the top – approximately 3 inches tall.
  • In a small bowl, combine the flours and mix well with a whisk. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, mix the sugar, baking powder, salt, butter and coconut oil together until well blended. Turn mixer to medium high and beat for approximately 5 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla.
  • Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the batter and mix well to blend. Add 1/2 of the coconut milk and mix until incorporated.
  • Add another 1/3 of the flour mixture, and the remainder of the coconut milk. Mix to blend. Add the remainder of the flour and mix well, scraping down the bowl as needed. Use your spatula to reach to the bottom of the bowl to ensure no flour remains unmixed.
  • Pour batter into prepared springform pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until center is set and a toothpick comes out cleanly with no crumbs. It will be gently golden and starting to pull away from the edges of the pan slightly. Remove from oven to cool slightly. While cake is cooling, prepare meringue topping. Keep oven temperature at 325 degrees F.

MERINGUE TOPPING

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add egg whites. Whisk on medium speed until foamy, then add sugar and increase to medium high speed.
  • Beat until soft peaks form, and then add vinegar and corn starch. Mix to incorporate and pause to scrape down sides of bowl. Continue beating on medium high speed until stiff peaks form.
  • Gently scoop meringue onto top of slightly cooled cake. Using an offset spatula or spoon, carefully spread meringue to the edges of the cake, creating swirls and swoops on the entire surface. Place cake back into 325 degree F oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until meringue is firm to the touch and barely starting to color.
  • Remove cake from oven and place on a rack to cool. After 15 minutes, carefully run a knife around the edge of the springform pan and release. Gently remove springform and allow cake to cool completely.

MANGO PUREE AND SLICED MANGO

  • In a two cup glass measuring cup or a wide mouth pint mason jar, combine the flesh of one mango, honey and 3 Tbsp of the coconut milk. Using a stick blender, blend until mango is a smooth puree and sauce can be drizzled from a spoon. If needed, add an additional 1 Tbsp of coconut milk to thin the sauce.
  • Just before serving, drizzle the sauce over the top of the meringue, and arrange fanned out mango slices from the remaining mango on the top of the meringue. Add mint leaves to garnish. Slice and serve immediately.
Angled view of coconut meringue cake with slices missing on a marble background
Slice of coconut meringue mango cake on a blue plate with rest of cake nearby
Top view of meringue cake with mango sauce and sliced mangoes on top, garnished with mint leaves on a white marble background

If you liked this Coconut Meringue Cake with Mango Puree and Sliced Mango, you might also like:

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

Meyer Lemon Almond Cake

May 16, 2019 2 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Felicia

    July 28, 2019 at

    Can’t wait to make this! How much salt do I need? It isn’t listed in the ingredients, but is listed in the instructions for the cake. Maybe I’m too distractedy the pictures and didn’t see it? Thank you!

    Reply
    • The Floured Table

      July 29, 2019 at

      Hi Felicia,
      Thank you so much! I’ve updated the recipe – you’ll want 1 1/8 tsp of Kosher salt.
      I’d love to see a photo if you make it. You can always tag me on Instagram at @theflouredtable and #theflouredtable.
      Kathleen

      Reply

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MEET KATHLEEN

The Floured Table is a record of special recipes, made with love and shared with friends and family. Time and food both may be fleeting, but the words and recipes recorded here have permanence. They are a catalog of times well spent and a dictionary of the love language of food.

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