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Citronique: Delight in Every Bite

Discover the Citronique, an exquisite dessert layering sherry-infused raspberry jam roll, zesty lemon custard, and fluffy meringue.

About Citronique

The History

The Citronique is a contemporary dessert, known for its unique blend of flavours and layered structure. It was created as a fusion of traditional British and American desserts, combining elements from the classic trifle and key lime pie, but with notable modifications to suit a wider range of palates. The dessert has gained recognition for its innovative approach to combining familiar flavours in a novel way.

The Citronique was developed as an alternative to traditional creamy desserts, which were less favored in the creator's household. Drawing inspiration from the layered composition of the British trifle and the tangy taste of the American key lime pie, the dessert was designed to celebrate family gatherings and festive cheer throughout the year. The inclusion of sherry in the recipe is a nod to the warm, celebratory flavours often associated with the winter season, extending its appeal into a year-round dessert choice.

The Four Layers

Assembling A Citronique

Jam Roll Foundation
Soft sponge cake with rich raspberry jam.
Sherry Infusion & Extra Jam
Sherry-soaked sponge, extra jam layer.
Lemon Custard Delight
Tangy, creamy lemon layer.
Meringue Elegance
Fluffy, sweet meringue topping.
The Recipe

How To Make A Citronique

Jam Roll

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 100g (3.5 oz) caster sugar
• 100g (3.5 oz) self-raising flour
• About 150g (5.3 oz) raspberry jam, plus 50g (1.8 oz) for topping the jam roll layer
• 3-4 tbsp. (45-60ml) sherry for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F), 200°C (392°F) for fan-assisted.
2. Whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Gently fold in the flour.
4. Spread the batter in a lined, shallow baking tray.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden and springy.
6. Roll it up, then let it cool.
7. Once cooled, unroll, spread raspberry jam over sponge, and re-roll.

Baked Lemon Custard Filling

Ingredients:

• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 (397g, 14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 125ml (4.2 fl oz, ½ cup) lemon juice
• 125ml (4.2 fl oz, ½ cup) double cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 190°C (374°F), 175°C (347°F) for fan-assisted.
2. Line an 8-inch round cake tin with baking paper.
3. Whisk egg yolks, condensed milk, and lemon zest.
4. Stir in lemon juice and double cream until combined.
5. Pour into the lined tin and bake for 30 mins.
6. Cool completely.

Meringue

Ingredients:

• 4 egg whites
• 6 tbsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. cornstarch
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Beat egg whites and salt to soft peaks.
2. Gradually add sugar and cornstarch, beat to stiff peaks.

Assembling and Baking Citronique

Instructions:

1. Slice the jam roll and lay it flat as the base in a pie dish.
2. Drizzle the jam roll layer with sherry and spread with 50g/1.8 oz of jam.
3. Carefully tip or spread the cooled lemon custard onto the jam roll layer.
4. Top with the meringue, creating peaks with a spoon or spatula.
5. Bake at 190°C (374°F), 175°C (347°F) for fan-assisted, for 10-12 mins or until golden brown.

The Citronique is a sophisticated and delightful dessert that combines the classic flavours of raspberry, lemon, and meringue in a unique and elegant way. This dessert features four distinct layers, each offering its own texture and taste sensation:

1. Base Layer - Jam Roll: A light and airy sponge cake made from eggs, caster sugar, and self-raising flour, rolled with a generous spread of raspberry jam, then sliced and formed into a single layer.

2. Second Layer - Sherry Infusion & More Jam: The sliced jam roll is drizzled with sherry and spread with additional raspberry jam, adding richness and depth of flavour.

3. Third Layer - Baked Lemon Custard: Creamy and tangy lemon custard, baked until set, provides a luscious contrast to the jam-infused sponge base.

4. Top Layer - Meringue: Fluffy and sweet meringue, whipped to perfection, piped or spooned onto the lemon custard for a visually pleasing finish.

Assembled in layers and baked to golden perfection, the Citronique is not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Its combination of sweet raspberry, tangy lemon, and the light, airy meringue offers a delightful balance of flavours and textures, making it an ideal dessert for special occasions or to elevate an everyday meal into something truly extraordinary.

Enjoy!

This recipe is taken from "From Scratch: Mastering the Art of Homemade Cooking" by Darren McKiernan.