As I was riding the subway home from work this evening I got to thinking about quick desserts to make at home.  (One would think that a professional pastry chef would not be considering more baking at home.  I, on the other hand, have a terrible sweet tooth which means dessert follows every meal.)  So here’s my idea, which would be an awesome treat for kids, by the way:

Individual S’mores Bombe

Vanilla Meringue ~

3 oz. Egg Whites
2 tbl. Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 lb. Sugar
1/2 cup Water

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whip attachment, combine the egg whites and two tablespoons sugar.  Mix on medium speed until just frothy then reduce to low speed.

While the egg whites are mixing, combine the remaining ingredients in a small saucepan.  Give the ingredients a quick stir then cook over low heat until the mixture reaches 238 degrees.

Once the sugar solution is up to temperature, remove the pot from the heat.  Increase the speed of the stand mixer to med-low and slowly pour the hot sugar into the egg whites.  This step is crucial—you must work quickly, but you must make sure to pour the sugar into the egg whites in a slow, thin, steady stream.

Once the entire hot sugar mixture is poured into the mixer, turn the stand mixer speed to high.  Let whip until the sides of the bowl feel about room temperature.

At this point, you can pipe the meringue onto your s’mores, or you can store it in the freezer until you are ready to use.  It will keep for at least a few days in the freezer, if stored in an airtight container.

S’mores Bombe Assembly ~

Place a generous scoop of store-bought chocolate ice cream on top of a store-bought graham cracker.  Place in the freezer to let the ice cream set-up a bit—maybe 5 minutes or so.  Then remove from freezer, set in serving dish and pipe or spread vanilla meringue over ice cream, taking care to ensure the entire scoop of ice cream is covered.  Then burn the meringue with a small kitchen torch until as golden as you would a marshmallow over a campfire.  Mmmmm….

Filed Under: FUN Kid Food Talk!, Food Talk