The Diplomatic Fuse
Based on:
TypeDessert
Serves4 people
DateAugust 31, 2026
A sharp lemon meringue tart as a burning fuse, with a fiery torched meringue.
A dessert shaped like a burning fuse: a sharp lemon meringue tart with a slanted, torched meringue 'flame', referencing the escalating tension and lit fuse in the Belgian-American spat.
Ingredients
- 1 roll fresh pie dough
- 5 eggs (separated)
- 150 g fine caster sugar
- 3 lemons (juice and zest)
- 100 g unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 pinch salt
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Roll out the pie dough into a long, straight strip about 30 cm long and 8 cm wide (the fuse).
- Bake the dough blind for 15 minutes (with baking beans or dried pulses), let cool.
- Make the lemon curd: heat lemon juice, zest, 100 g sugar, cornstarch, and 4 egg yolks in a saucepan, stirring until thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir in the butter, and let cool slightly.
- Spread the lemon curd on the cooled dough, leaving 5 cm free at one end.
- Whip 4 egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff, add 50 g sugar, and beat until glossy peaks form.
- Spoon the meringue into a tall peak at the end of the strip (the 'flame').
- Torch the meringue with a kitchen torch until golden brown.
- Cut the strip into 4 pieces and serve each with the flame upright.
Serving notes
- Serve on a long plate so the 'fuse' and 'flame' are clearly visible.
- Optionally sprinkle with extra lemon zest for added sharpness.