Budapest Roll

[nverland]

Budapest Roll
Total Time Prep: 25 min. + standing Bake: 20 min. + cooling Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

6 large egg whites
2/3 cup finely ground hazelnuts
6 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
1-1/3 cups sugar
FILLING:
1-1/3 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

Let egg whites stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine nuts and pudding mix. Line a 15x10-in. baking pan with parchment paper.
Preheat oven to 350°. Beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold in nut mixture.
Pipe meringue in long strips or spread over prepared pan until entire pan is covered. Bake until set and dry, about 20 minutes. Cool completely. Cover meringue with parchment paper; place another baking pan on top. Flip the pans. Remove top pan; carefully peel parchment paper from meringue.
Beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread cream over meringue and top with oranges; roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side and peeling paper away while rolling.
Microwave chocolate on high until melted, stirring occasionally. Drizzle melted chocolate over meringue roll.

Note: Make this recipe your own by using 1 cup maraschino cherries, chocolate chips or toasted nuts in place of the oranges.

Kitchen Tips
Letting the egg whites stand at room temp helps them whip up with lots of volume, crucial for a light, fluffy meringue. Because it's easier to separate eggs when they are cold, however, it's best to do the separating before letting the whites stand.
Try lightly toasting the hazelnuts to bring out their delicious flavor. Make sure they are fully cool before folding them in.

Nutrition Facts
1 slice: 256 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.