This layered meringue cake is best in spring, when strawberries are juicy and plump.

But blackberries, blueberries, even peaches would be great.

Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake is a harbinger of summer.

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake on a cake plate to serve

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

We’re not too shy to share our complete guide for how to make strawberry meringue cake.

Read on for the dish.

We do not recommend freezing Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake.

toasting pecans on a sheet tray

Credit: Will Dickey

Community Cooking Tips

Taking this to share at a gathering outside of your home?

Remove from oven, and cool completely (about 10 minutes).

Reduce oven temperature to 250F.

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake circles drawn on parchment paper

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Prepare the baking sheet:

Cover 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Draw 2 (8-inch) circles on each piece of paper.

Turn paper over; secure with masking tape.

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake ground pecans and cornstarch in food processor

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Gradually add 1 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp.

Add half of pecan mixture to egg white mixture, gently folding just until blended.

Repeat procedure with remaining pecan mixture.

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake meringue after whipping

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

(Do not overbeat or cream will be grainy.)

Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture.

Assemble cake:

Carefully remove 1 meringue from parchment paper; place on a serving plate.

Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake folding in the pecans

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Spread one-fourth mascarpone mixture (about 2 cups) over meringue; top with 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries.

Repeat layers 2 times; top with remaining meringue, mascarpone mixture, and halved strawberries.

Serve immediately, or chill up to 2 hours.

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake making the meringue layers

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Cut with a sharp, thin-bladed knife.

Frequently Asked Questions

They’re very similar, but different in key ways.

There’s a reason why baking recipes call these out specifically.

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake layers after baking on pan

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Then, you’re looking for stiff peaks.

Foamy:Whip room temperature egg whites in a clean bowl until big bubbles appear.

This should look similar to a sudsy bath, and the egg whites won’t really hold their shape.

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake one of the layers on the serving plate

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Soft peaks:Watch for a slight sheen and fine bubbles.

It might still fall over a bit, but should stay fairly pointy.

Whipped that cream straight into butter?

Southern Living Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake layer topped with mascarpone mixture and sliced strawberries

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn