Plain Charlotte Russe. No. 2

The sponge cake can be baked up to 2 days ahead and stored wrapped at room temperature. The dessert should be assembled 2-4 hours before serving to allow the cake to fully absorb the wine and the flavors to meld. Do not assemble more than 6 hours in advance, as the egg white foam may begin to weep and separate.

This dessert is best consumed within 24 hours of assembly. Store covered in the refrigerator. Note that the texture will soften considerably over time as the foam deflates and the cake continues to absorb liquid. The raw egg whites make this unsuitable for individuals with compromised immune systems; consider using pasteurized egg whites as an alternative.