A low-carb Schaum Torte made with a sugar substitute is like eating an airy decadent cotton candy rather than a moist marshmallow.
Both are divine! Especially when layered with fresh strawberries and whip cream.
The Germans have their Schaum Torte. The Aussies and New Zealanders have their Pavolva. The Italians, Swiss, and French have their meringues. These are all very similar, consisting of beaten egg whites and sugar.
What is a Schaum Torte?
A Schaum Torte a light and airy dessert (literally) bursting with springtime strawberries and whip cream in a large baked meringue. Schaumtorte in German means foam cake.
The fellow I learn it from, while Jerry and I were visiting Wisconsin years ago, learned it from his German grandmother. And after a few glasses of wine, his girlfriend shared with me the few special “tricks” he doesn’t normally disclose. (Look for those at the bottom of the recipe in the Notes.)
What we’ve got here is a tale of two tortes. These are both Strawberry Schaum Tortes. The top is made with Truvia (a blend of stevia and erythritol) and the lower one is made with real pure cane sugar.
Both meringues are baked in a springform pan at a low temperature for a long time. The Truvia low carb version is like a giant foam block. The sugar loaded carb version has a thin crispy dome hovering over a huge cavernous air space.
Below the dome is a soft spongy marshmallow-like pillow bed that’s settled on the bottom waiting to be layered with fresh whipped cream and sliced bright red strawberries.
Both are easy to make, crazy to look at, and fun to eat.
How to Make Schaum Torte
Schaum Torte Recipe:
- Preheat oven to 250F
- Beat 8 egg whites on medium-low speed for 2 minutes.
- Then add 1 teaspoon vinegar and continue to beat until they are solid white and have soft peaks.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup Truvia (if using sugar add 1/2 cup)
- Wait 1 minute and add another 1/4 cup Truvia (or 1/2 cup sugar). Wait an additional minute and add the last 1/4 cup of Truvia (or 1/2 cup sugar). For a total of 3/4 cup Truvia (or 1 1/2 cups sugar). Beat until you have stiff glossy peaks.
- While the egg whites are beating, cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of a springform pan. Do NOT grease this pan.
- After your egg whites are stiff and glossy, spread this meringue into your parchment-lined springform pan.
- Bake for 90 minutes.
- Make whip cream: beat 2 cups of heavy cream with electric beaters (or stand mixer) with 1/2 cup powdered erythritol (or 1/2 cup powdered sugar) and 1 tablespoon vanilla until firm.
- Slice 3 cups of strawberries.
- Turn the oven off and allow the meringue to rest for at least 2 hours.**
- Carefully take the torte out of the springform pan. It may crack and fall apart. That’s okay!
- Put the bottom on the serving platter. Add 1/2 of the whipped cream in the middle and use it to “glue” the sides with meringue.
- Spread the strawberries over the whipped cream and add the rest of the whipped cream on top. “Glue” the remaining pieces of meringue around the whip cream and strawberries.
**Important Note: While the meringue is resting for 2 hours in the oven, DO NOT open the door. It’s crucial that no humidity gets into the oven. This will help keep its shape and its crispness.
How to Line a Round Pan with Parchment Paper
Instead of haphazardly cutting a circle out of parchment and hoping it fits try this incredibly easy method.
- Tear off a section of parchment that is at least as wide as the diameter of your pan.
- Fold it into a long narrow triangle.
- Put the center point in the middle of your pan, take it to the edge, and cut off the excess.
If it’s still a little too big, trim it until it fits perfectly.
The fun of eating any Schaum Torte is getting the bite just right. Make sure you get in deep to guarantee you get all the layers. Get some of the sweet fluffy cream on there too with a slice of a succulent berry and finally just a bit of the fragile top crust for an unexpected… crunch. Oh…. yeah.
My girlfriends swear up and down it’s one of the best desserts they’ve ever eaten. It is really awesome to be able to eat something this decedent with practically 0 net carbs.
But baking is chemistry. I’m not going to lie, there is a HUGE textural difference between these two.
How do these two tortes taste?
The flavor of the sugar Schuam comes together harmoniously in your mouth. There’s a lovely balance of sweet and tart & creamy and crispy. At the bottom, there’s a pillow soft, luxurious mallow and the top is thin and crispy.
The erythritol version is cool and melts in your mouth like cotton candy. It’s not pepperminty cool; it just leaves your mouth feeling cool. It’s very good in a creamy-berry-cotton-candy kinda way.
Long story short: you can have your Schaum and eat it too. Make it ketogenic and low-carb by using Truvia in place of the real deal sugar. If you could care less about your carb intake, use sugar all the way!
Other Sweet Treats You Might Enjoy
Here are some other fun recipes that might tempt your sweet tooth!
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies: This recipe is from Truffle Nation. I really like their website because their recipes are fantastic and they don’t do a lot of pesky pop-up advertising.
Build this ice cream bombe with your favorite ice cream and store bought pound cake.
This flourless chocolate torte is rich and moist. It’s best served hot and topped with cool whip cream.
STRAWBERRY SCHAUM TORTE (with Sugar-free option)
strawberry schaum torte made with Sugar or Truvia as an option
Ingredients
- 8 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla , separated
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (if using Truvia, use only 3/4 cup)
- 3 cups sliced strawberries
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (1/8 cup if using powdered Truvia)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
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Make sure your stand mixer bowl is super clean. Whisk eggs whites on low speed for 2 minutes. Increase speed to low-medium and add vinegar and whisk for 3 more minutes. Increase speed to medium high and add 1 teaspoon vanilla and the salt. Whisk until soft peaks form. Slowly add sugar (or Truvia) and continue to whisk on high until you see stiff glossy peaks and the sugar is dissolved.
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While the eggs are beating, DO NOT grease your springform pan*. But DO cut a piece of parchment paper to fit on the bottom.
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When the meringue is ready (stiff & glossy), spread it gently into the springform pan.
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Bake for 90 minutes. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR after you put it in. At the end of the baking time, turn the oven off and keep the door shut for at least 2 hours.*
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While it’s baking, clean the stand mixer. Using the stand mixer, whisk the whipping cream, teaspoon vanilla, and powdered sugar until you have stiff peaks that curl at the tips. Slice your strawberries. Set both to the side in the refrigerator until ready to layer.
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After the oven and schaum as cooled in the oven (2 hours after the baking time), take it out and carefully remove the crispy top. Carefully lay it aside. Take the meringue out of the springform pan and place the bottom on your serving tray or cake plate. The bottom should come off easily and you can remove the parchment paper.
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Layer the whip cream and strawberries, alternating until you run out. (Start and Finish with the whip cream). Carefully piece together the crispy top crust on top of the whip cream.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
*Did I mention, NOT to open the door once you start baking? And NOT to open the door for at least 2 hours after you turn off the oven? Ok, just checking. This is what keeps the top from falling. Otherwise, you can’t do the whole layering thing. Keeping the crispy top crust separate from the foam cushiony base lets you experience all the layers in their full expression. And come on, crispy sweet crunchy stuff is fun to eat.
*Do Not grease the parchment paper or springform pan. I did this and ended up with a jelly-like oil slick that was super disgusting. I still have nightmares. Ick.