Vanilla Zephyr

These traditional vanilla marshmallow pillows are perfect for any time of year — amazing vanilla flavor, so addictive you won't be able to stop at one. Zephyr is a unique Russian dessert, a heavenly marshmallow-like meringue, common across post-Soviet countries. This recipe makes 24 halves, or 12 full zephyr.

Ingredients

Apple Purée (makes ~150g)

• 3 medium apples
• 50-100g water

Vanilla Filling

• 125g apple purée
• 100g sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Crushed waffles or icing sugar, for decoration

Syrup

• 50g glucose syrup
• 1 egg white
• 5g agar agar
• 75g water
• 190g sugar

Directions

1. Peel, deseed, and chop the apples. Cook with water 15-20 minutes until soft, then purée and sieve.
2. Measure out 125g of purée, add sugar and vanilla, warm gently to melt the sugar without overheating. Cool completely (can be done a day ahead).
3. Combine water, agar agar, sugar, and glucose syrup in a pan. Cook 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat until it starts to fall off the spoon, stirring constantly.
4. Whisk the cooled purée with egg white in a stand mixer on high speed for 5 minutes until fluffy and peaked. Don't overwhisk — slow down if the syrup isn't ready yet.
5. Once the syrup is ready, slowly stream it into the meringue while whisking, starting slow then increasing to high speed until stiff peaks form.
6. Pipe beautiful swirls onto parchment paper using a star nozzle. Leave to set overnight.
7. The next day, gently peel off each half and sandwich two together. Dip in icing sugar and enjoy — they soften on day one and firm up on day two, which is the best consistency.

Hugs, Alla xox

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