Irresistible Chocolate Meringue Pyramid with Custard

Turn extraordinary homemade meringues into something even more extravagant with this impressive meringue pyramid.

Chocolate being drizzled onto a meringue stack shaped like a pyramid on a white plate atop a red ramekin.

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These amazing meringues make the best dessert!

I’ve got a melt-in-your-mouth recipe for you that is absolutely drool-worthy. You can eat a mountain’s worth of this dish because, well, it looks just like one! This special-order dessert is easy to make and enjoy!

This meringue dessert is delicious. Top the crispy meringues with a smooth dark chocolate ganache. Sprinkle chopped nuts (or ground almonds), and even fresh fruit in this irresistible recipe. A meringue tower recipe is a cool creation you can make right at home!

Drizzle these little meringue cream puffs with melted chocolate. They’re perfect for any special occasion, or a regular weekday. Held together with the tastiest whipped cream custard recipe, you can’t go wrong with this sweet treat!

Meringues are absolutely nostalgic for me and when biting into a light and airy, crispy meringue. It melts in your mouth and takes me back to my childhood, every single time. And I’ve taken those traditional meringues (that are perfectly delicious all on their own) to the next level. Because, why not?

The rich chocolate sauce reminds me of chocolate chip cookies. Meanwhile, the light meringue takes me away to Italy, enjoying all the light of Italian desserts. There is no better way to enjoy one of my favorite recipes!

“Meringue” is a French word of unknown origin. This classic French pastry doesn’t need to have a secret meaning behind it. It’s just a beautiful tower that makes up one of the best things in life: dessert!

a stack of baked meringues on a white plate with custard cream chocolate glaze and chopped pecans covering them and an orange towel in the background.

Why you need this meringue pyramid in your life

Beautiful. Dessert in the form of a pyramid? Are you kidding me? I’m sure you can totally get behind this trend. It makes a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday parties, too. You can get best results every single time you make it!

Interactive. One of my favorite things about being in the kitchen is how it brings my family together. And making a meringue pyramid is a fun way to get your kids involved. It’s like a fun science project that you can devour at the end.

Versatile. Once you have your crispy meringues stacked into a pyramid, you can top them however you like. I’ve opted for a chocolate ganache drizzle and chopped nuts. Feel free to add fresh berries, mint, chocolate curls, and pieces of chocolate candy.

If you want to add a drizzle of white chocolate with the chocolate ganache, grab a piping bag and go for it! The options here are endless. The only perfect way to make a tasty dessert is the way that you want to enjoy it.

Last, but not least, it’s absolutely delicious. I can’t tell you how many times I had the impulse to chow down on this dessert before I could complete the entire pyramid. If you’re like me, make sure you’ve got some extra meringues that you can speak for yourself.

Key Ingredients

Meringue

egg whites
sugar
vanilla extract

Cream

egg yolks
sugar
milk
unsalted butter

Chocolate Glaze

unsalted butter
chocolate chips
pecans or fresh fruits (optional)

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make a Meringue Pyramid

For the meringue:

Step 1: Separate the eggs

Separate 4 large eggs, yolks in one bowl, and whites in a different bowl.

egg yolks and egg whites separated in two glass bowls.

Steps 2 & 3: Prepare

Preheat your oven to 215°F

Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper. Also, prepare a cream bag with a tip for piping.

Step 4: Beat egg whites

In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites for 2 minutes.

whipped egg whites in a bowl and close up of more whipped egg whites on a beater being held up.

Step 5: Add sugar

Add in sugar and beat for another 3-5 minutes, or until you can flip your bowl upside down and it’s not runny. Should be stiff and white.

Step 6: Pipe out the meringues

Using a cream bag squeeze out little round shapes to two prepared baking sheets with parchment paper. (You can do a mini size or a bit larger, up to you).

Step 7: Bake

Put into the oven for 2 hours at 215F.

For the custard cream:

Step 1: Beat the ingredients

With a hand mixer, beat the egg yolks for 1 minute, add in sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat for 1 minute.

three containers all holding separate ingredients milk sugar and egg yolks.

Step 2: Boil then cool

Bring the mixture to boil in the microwave (1 minute). Or, boil it on the stove in a pot until it begins to thicken. Let cool completely. Make sure you get your unsalted butter out to soften.

softened butter in a glass jar and started cream mixed in a separate glass bowl.

Step 3: Add butter

When the milk cream has cooled down, beat in the softened butter.

For the chocolate glaze:

Step 1: Create the glaze

Melt the unsalted butter in a pot on the stovetop. Turn off the heat and add in the chocolate chips. Stir quickly until the chips have completely melted. If your glaze is too watery, add in more chips.

Step 2: Chop nuts or fruit

Chop the pecans or any kind of nuts or fruit you like.

chocolate chips in melted butter in a glass bowl with a spoon with a small brown dish filled with chopped pecans and a separate quarter cup measuring cup on the side.

Putting it together

Step 1: Create the foundation, then layer

Take a meringue puff and generously spread buttercream on the bottom so that it sticks to the plate. Create the layers on the plate one by one.

a tan plate filled with meringues with separate dishes on the side filled with custard cream another with melted chocolate glaze and a third with chopped pecans.

Step 2: Drizzle and garnish

Drizzle with chocolate glaze and sprinkle with chopped nuts.

a tan plate with meringues on it and a white plate with a custard cream on the plate and meringues over the custard cream with more cream in a white bowl on the side with a spoon and chocolate glaze in a glass bowl on the side with a spoon and chopped pecans in a small brown dish.

Step 3: Continue layering until done

Add another layer of meringues spread with buttercream on the bottom, drizzle with glaze and sprinkle with nuts. Continue to stack the meringue to a pyramid. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before eating.

a stack of meringues on a white plate with each layer drizzled in custard cream chocolate glaze and chopped pecans with additional meringues chopped pecans and chocolate on the side on a wire rack and an orange towel.

Expert Tips

Ensure the eggs are at room temperature for both meringue and custard cream. This aids in better volume when whipping egg whites and smoother custard consistency.
Add sugar gradually when whipping egg whites to allow for better incorporation and a stable meringue structure.
Allow the custard to cool completely before incorporating butter; this prevents melting and results in a silky smooth cream.
Refrigerate the assembled pyramid for at least 15 minutes before serving. Allow the layers to set.
Make mini pyramids for individual servings for a beautiful dessert table display.

Recipe FAQs

Why use room temperature eggs?

Room temperature eggs whip up better, providing greater volume and stability for both the meringue and custard.

What’s the purpose of whipping the egg yolks for the custard cream?

Whipping the yolks incorporates air, resulting in a lighter custard texture.

How long do meringues last?

Baked meringue lasts for up to 2 weeks without the cream or chocolate topping. You can make these small puffs ahead of time and then create the cream and add it later!

a stack of meringues on a white plate wit chocolate drizzle and chopped pecans sprinkled over the top.

More dessert recipes to make at home:

Granola Breakfast Yogurt Parfait with Fresh Fruit is the ideal breakfast for anyone on the go. Prep the ingredients and enjoy a well-rounded breakfast!
A Homemade Affogato is an Italian coffee dessert that is super delicious and made with only 3 ingredients!

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If you tried this Irresistible Meringue Pyramid or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!