  | |
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | The Philippines |
| Main ingredients | Eggs, sugar,cream of tartar |
Brazo de Mercedes is a traditionalFilipinomeringueroll with acustard filling typically dusted withpowdered sugar. It is a type ofpianono.[1]
Although popularly simply translated as "Mercedes' Arm", it actually means "Arm of Our Lady of Mercy" inSpanish, fromNuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a commondevotional title forMary, mother of Jesus. The dessert dates back to theSpanish 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 formortar andplaster 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]
Unlike other types of Filipinopianonos which are made with rolledchiffon orsponge cakes,brazo de Mercedes is made frommeringue and thus does not useflour. The meringue is made fromegg whites,cream of tartar, and granulated sugar. The filling is traditionallycustard made fromegg yolks, sugar, and milk cooked in low heat in adouble boiler. Other ingredients likecalamansizest,butter, andvanilla 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 withpowdered sugar before being served.[5][6][7][8][9]
Modern versions of the dessert may have a variety of different fillings and ingredients. The variations usually have different names likebrazo deube,brazo depandan,brazo debuko pandan,brazo detsokolate,brazo demangga, and so on.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
Media related toBrazo de Mercedes at Wikimedia Commons
