It's Official. . .

. . . this is my all-time, most favorite dessert. EVER. Chocolate-Berry Meringue:

The chocolate meringue tastes like a brownie, but is less heavy. And with the whipped cream and berries, it's such a delicious, summery {not to mention gorgeous} dessert.

chocolate berry meringue

for the meringue:

Start by placing 6 egg whites in a large bowl. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper and draw a 10-inch diameter circle, leaving a 1-2 inch margin outside the circle {I just trace a spring-form pan on the paper}:Take 3 oz of bittersweet chocolate:and using a grater, finely shave it down:

Go back to the egg whites and with an electric mixer, beat eggs on medium-high until soft peaks form:

Add a cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon at time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. The meringue will be very thick and glossy:

Gently fold in chocolate shavings, 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar:

Now spread the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet:

Place in oven and immediately reduce heat to 300°F. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheet on rack:

{This picture was taken right after it was pulled out of the oven.}

{This was taken several hours later. Cracks happen. It's OK.}

for the toppings:

You could, I suppose, use a tub of Cool Whip, but I would strongly suggest spending 3 extra minutes making the real stuff. I used 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, a few tablespoons of sugar and a dash of vanilla. I'm not sure how much sugar or vanilla I used, just add it to taste. Mix those all together {with an electric mixer} until the cream thickens and stiff peaks form:

Clean about 6 cups of berries; raspberries, blackberries, strawberries {sliced} and, if you like them, blueberries:

Remove the meringue from the parchment paper, carefully, and place on a platter {or, if you don't have one, put it back on the baking sheet}. Spread the whipping cream on and top with the berries. Finish it off by adding bittersweet chocolate shavings or curls and voilà!

enjoy!