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Sunday, June 09, 2013

Meringue Cookie Sandwiches at Karina's Cake House - Glendale

What is this strange, flower-looking object? An Armenian meringue cookie sandwich, or at least that's what I'm calling it. If there are any Armenians in the audience or polyglots who might know what its proper name is, please chime in. I choose to call it this because to describe it as just a meringue, a cookie, or a sandwich would be insufficient.

It does, in fact, contain a filling of chopped hazelnuts suspended in a schmear of what I have to guess is either hazelnut paste, speculoos, or buttercream. This is "sandwiched" between two swirly meringue cookies. And when you eat it, it kind if makes you lightheaded--your brain tells your mouth you need more of this in your body. I would imagine this is what happens with drug addicts.

The first thing you think as you look at it is that it will be too sweet, as most meringues are...and it is sweet, but then somehow the thing manages to pull itself back from the brink. It is as if you could combine the best parts of sugar-derived junk foods (like cotton candy) and make it classy and enjoyable for grown ups.

The meringue itself is a thing of wonder, simultaneously sticky, chewy, crumbly, crunchy--a texture somewhere between taffy and a just toasted marshmallow, and already addictive. But as the base for that creamy, chunky, buttery, vanilla-scented filling, it fulfills its true destiny.

The first time we had it, a friend of ours served it to us when we visited her home. Upon tasting it, we asked and found out where it's from: Karina's Cake House in Glendale, which charges a buck fifty for each.

When we found ourselves near Glendale, we bought a dozen and then rationed ourselves one-a-day, because, well, we are responsible sugar addicts. But we discovered that these meringue cookie sandwiches are at their best when eaten within a day of purchase. It loses its characteristic chewiness after 24 hours.

So here is the subject of a future post: Is it possible for two people to eat a dozen of these meringue cookie sandwiches in a 24-hour-period and avoid diabetes?

Karina's Cake House
515 S Glendale Ave
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 240-6718
http://karinascakehouseglendale.com

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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:27 PM

    That looks damn good. I'm not into fancy desserts but these certainly have my attention now.

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  2. Anonymous10:30 AM

    Almost looks like Alfajores might have to try it if I'm ever on that side of town.

    nhb

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  3. elmomonster10:10 AM

    Anon,

    To paraphrase the now-fired George Zimmer, "You're going to love these meringue cookie sandwiches. I guarantee it."

    nhb,

    You're absolutely right! They *DO* look like alfajores!

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  4. Tati Chahoian1:41 PM

    In Armenian, we call this bezzeh. it's the name of the meringue. Karina's is top notch for all armenian and middle-eastern desserts. They are probably most famous for the bezzeh and their bird milk cake. I know, sounds strange, but it is a magnificent combination of soft, fluffy cake with layers of bird milk (marshmallow-like substance and way better flavored) with a chocolate-based topping. If you ask for bird milk cake, I'm sure they'll know what you're talking about, but just in case, in Armenian it's called "ptsichi malako". You won't regret it!!

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  5. Anonymous5:10 PM

    What are these meringue filled with

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  6. elmomonster5:26 PM

    Tati,

    Thanks for the comment! I had no idea what they were called! Definitely have to try the "ptsichi malako" too.

    Anon,

    They're filled with a sort of butter cream and bits of nuts. Delish!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:37 PM

    “Ptsichi Malako” is Russian for “Bird’s Milk.” Yes, this is what this cake is called in Armenia, but that is definitely not an Armenian phrase.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous6:45 PM

    They're filled with dulce de leche buttercream and chopped walnuts

    ReplyDelete