Floating on a Cloud

Indulge in the ethereal allure of “Floating on a Cloud,” a classic French dessert that combines pillowy poached meringue with a silky vanilla custard for an elegant treat that feels like a dream. This show-stopping dish, also known as île flottante, is the perfect balance of light and creamy textures, with the meringue “clouds” gently poached in steaming milk to achieve their signature delicate fluff. Nestled atop a luscious, from-scratch custard infused with real vanilla and a touch of richness from fresh egg yolks, every spoonful melts in your mouth. With just a handful of pantry staples like egg whites, sugar, milk, and vanilla, this easy yet impressive recipe is ideal for dinner parties or when you want to indulge in something special. Garnish with caramel, fresh berries, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch, and transport your taste buds to the heavens with this delightful dessert.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 large Egg whites
• 150 grams Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 500 milliliters Milk
• 4 large Egg yolks
• 80 grams Granulated sugar for custard
• 15 grams Cornstarch
• 1 split bean or teaspoon Vanilla bean or vanilla extract
• 1 pinch Pinch of salt

Directions

Step 1

Separate the egg whites and yolks into two different bowls.

Step 2

To begin preparing the meringue, whip the egg whites in a clean, dry mixing bowl until soft peaks form.

Step 3

Gradually add 150 grams of granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whip until the mixture is glossy with stiff peaks.

Step 4

Gently fold in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and set the meringue aside.

Step 5

In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil.

Step 6

Using a large spoon, carefully scoop dollops of meringue and gently poach them in the hot milk for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, flipping carefully using a slotted spoon.

Step 7

Once poached, remove the meringue clouds and set them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat until all the meringue is cooked.

Step 8

Strain the milk to remove any residue left from the meringue, then return it to the saucepan and set aside.

Step 9

To prepare the vanilla custard, whisk the egg yolks, 80 grams of sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl until smooth.

Step 10

Gradually whisk in the hot milk from the saucepan into the egg yolk mixture, tempering the yolks to prevent curdling.

Step 11

Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the seeds from a vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Step 13

Strain the custard into a clean bowl to ensure it’s smooth, then let it cool slightly.

Step 14

To serve, spoon the custard into individual bowls and gently place the poached meringue clouds on top.

Step 15

Optionally, garnish with a drizzle of caramel, a dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh berries for added flair.

Step 16

Serve immediately and enjoy the delicate textures of this heavenly dessert.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	969.4 grams (969.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1519

Total Fat 29.10g	37%
Saturated Fat 12.80g	64%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.40g
Cholesterol 784mg	261%
Sodium 595mg	26%
Total Carbohydrate 275.20g	100%
Dietary Fiber 0.10g	0%
Total Sugars 257.10g
Protein 42.20g	84%

Vitamin D 300IU	1501%
Calcium 747mg	57%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 1107mg	24%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17.1%

Protein: 11.0%

Carbs: 71.9%