Brazo de Mercedes
  | |
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Main ingredients | eggs, sugar, cream of tartar |
Brazo de Mercedes is a traditional Filipino meringue roll with a custard filling typically dusted with powdered sugar. It is a type of pianono.[1]
Origins[edit]
Although popularly simply translated as "Mercedes' Arm", it actually means "Arm of Our Lady of Mercy" in Spanish, from Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a common devotional title for Mary, mother of Jesus. The dessert dates back to the Spanish colonial period. It is one of the desserts believed to have been the result of the repurposing of the discarded egg yolks from the use of egg whites for mortar and plaster in Spanish-Filipino colonial architecture, egg was essential in the building of churches, bridges, government buildings, and ancestral houses, such as those with the indigenous Earthquake baroque architectural styles.[2][3][4]
Description[edit]
Unlike other types of Filipino pianonos which are made with rolled chiffon or sponge cakes, brazo de Mercedes is made from meringue and thus does not use flour. The meringue is made from egg whites, cream of tartar, and granulated sugar. The filling is traditionally custard made from egg yolks, sugar, and milk cooked in low heat in a double boiler. Other ingredients like calamansi zest, butter, and vanilla extract can also be added to the custard. Once the meringue is baked, the custard is spread evenly on one surface then it is carefully rolled into a cylinder. It is usually chilled and dusted with powdered sugar before being served.[5][6][7][8][9]
Variants[edit]
Modern versions of the dessert can have a variety of different fillings and ingredients. These variations usually have different names, like brazo de ube, brazo de pandan, brazo de buko pandan, brazo de tsokolate, brazo de mangga, and so on.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Happy Home Cook: Goldilocks' Brazo de Mercedes". Positively Filipino. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ DiStefano, Joe. "Brazo de Mercedes is the Perfect Filipino Breakfast Dessert". Chopsticks+Marrow. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ Cordero-Fernando, Gilda (December 25, 2016). "Cake walk". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "How to Make Brazo De Mercedes". Snapguide. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "LOOK: Brazo de Mercedes recipe from the Goldilocks Bakebook". Inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Brazo de Mercedes". Kawaling Pinoy. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Brazo de Mercedes". Panlasang Pinoy. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Brazo de Mercedes Recipe". Yummy.ph. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Brazo de Mercedes". Foxy Folksy. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Variations on the Brazos de Mercedes with Juan Carlo Estagle". Heny Sison Culinary School. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Buko Pandan Brazo de Mercedes (Potato/Sweet Potato Filling)". MunchyWhims. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Brazo de Milana". Kawaling Pinoy Tasty Recipes. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Brazo de Ube (Cake Roll)". Mama's Guide Recipes. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Brazo de Mercedes". Ang Sarap. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ Joven, Eduardo. "Sweets for My Sweet: Brazo de Mercedes Recipe". ChoosePhilippines. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
