Meringue Coffee Cake

OK guys am back after quite a long break. Its summer time and we were into loads of travelling. It looked like caged birds set free finally after a long bad winter. We had some amazing vacations and get-together with friends, so yes I was a little too lazy on blogging. Not that I didn't try out any new recipes or stopped baking. Just that was too occupied with other stuffs that stopped me from posting my experiments. So there is more to come soon :).

Coffee Cake

This was one of the Daring Bakers Challenge which I didn't post on time. Loved this one and I had some new friends over while experimenting this recipe. They loved it and of course we loved them too. It was over in no time. Guys I don't say this is an easy recipe, but its delicious. Its a little tough to work with the dough, all the hard work will definitely payoff.

Ingredients:

For cake dough

4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
2-1/4 tsp dried yeast
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 large eggs

This makes 2 round cakes. You may half the quantity to make 1 cake.

Filling Meringue:

1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
3 large egg whites
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Method:

*Combine 1.5 cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt into a large bowl.
*Combine milk, butter and water in a saucepan and heat it in a low heat untill the butter is melted.
*Add this warm liquid gradually into the flour mixture and mix it will with an electric mixture on low    speed. Once the mixture is blended well, increase the speed and mix it for 2 mins.
*Add the 2 eggs and 1 cup of flour into this mixture and blend it on high speed for 2 min.
*Stir in the remaining flour into this mixture to make a dough. Knead the dough for another 10 mins untill it becomes soft and elastic in texture. Keep the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a plastic wrap. Keep it aside for 60-90 mins. The dough should rise.

For Filling - Meringue:

* Make the filling once the dough has doubled.
* Beat the eggs and salt in high speed until it becomes foamy.
* Add vanilla and sugar a tablespoon at a time and beat untill it forms peaks. The mixture will be glossy at this stage.

Assembling the Coffee Cake:

* Divide the dough in half.
* Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and slighly rub with butter.
* Lighly flour the work area and start working with one half of the dough. Roll out the dough in a rectangle shape. For me this was the toughest part. The dough will be a little difficult to roll out.
* Spread the meringue onto the rolled out dough. Do not spread till the edges, leave about 1/2 inch from the edge. You can add the chocolate chips on to this.
* Now carefully roll out the dough from the longer side. Seal the ends by pinching the dough. Make sure the ends are sealed.
* Carefully transfer the roll into the baking sheet. Bring the ends of the roll together and seal it forming a ring. But I made it as a arc by sealing both the ends. This will be your choice.
* Using a knife make small cuts on the outside edge of the roll. Keep it aside for 40-60 mins.
* Repeat the same with the other dough.
* Preheat the oven for 350 degrees. Brush the coffee cakes top with egg wash and bake it for approx 30 mins or untill it turns golden brown.
* Once taken out from the oven, allow it to cool.

The coffee cake can be servered by dusting some confectioner sugar on top and coffee :). Mine was over in no time. ENJOY!!!