Chocolate Meringue Layer Cake

Fresh raspberries lighten up this rich chocolatey dessert. Although you may be tempted to dig in right away، let the cake sit for 30 minutes and then cut with a serrated knife. 

INGREDIENTS MERINGUE LAYERS 1 tbsp. potato starch or cornstarch 1 1/2 c. superfine sugar 6 large egg whites 1 tsp. white vinegar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate، chopped

MOUSSE LAYERS

• 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate، chopped
• 4 large egg yolks
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 3/4 c. plus another 3/4 cup heavy cream
• Shaved chocolate and raspberries، for serving

DIRECTIONS

MERINGUE

1. STEP 1Heat oven to 275°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Draw two 6-inch circles on each sheet of parchment، then flip over.
2. STEP 2Combine potato starch and sugar. In a very clean large bowl، using an electric mixer، whisk egg whites and vinegar on medium speed until foamy peaks form، 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar mixture، 1 Tbsp at a time، beating 30 seconds before adding more. Beat until whites are stiff and glossy. Add vanilla and beat 1 minute.
3. STEP 3Using a fine-mesh sieve، sift cocoa powder on top of egg-white mixture. Add chocolate and، using a large rubber spatula، fold  into egg-white mixture.

1. STEP 4Using the circles as a guide، divide mixture between prepared baking sheets and use a small offset spatula to smooth into 2 even rounds. Bake 1 hour، then turn oven off and let meringue layers cool completely in the oven، at least 3 to 4 hours or up to overnight.

MOUSSE

1. STEP 1Melt chocolate in microwave on 50 percent power in 30-second increments، stirring until fully melted. In a medium saucepan، whisk together egg yolks، 1 tablespoon sugar، and 3/4 cup heavy cream. Heat on medium، stirring constantly، until slightly thickened and mixture coats the back of a spoon، 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk in melted chocolate. Remove from heat، transfer mixture to a medium bowl، cover، and refrigerate until cool to the touch، about 1 hour.
2. STEP 2Once cool، using an electric mixer، beat remaining ¾ cup cream and 2 Tbsp sugar together until medium peaks form. Mix 1/3 of cream into chocolate mixture to loosen. Fold in remaining cream. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour before assembling. Stir to loosen before using.
3. STEP 3To assemble، transfer 1 meringue round to a large، flat serving dish and spoon 1/4 of mousse over top، spreading into even layer. Top with second layer of meringue and mousse; repeat. Sprinkle top with raspberries and shaved chocolate، if desired.