Silvanas: Crunchy Filipino Meringue Cookie Sandwiches

Silvanas: Crunchy Filipino Meringue Cookie Sandwiches

Contents

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• FAQs

Silvanas (or sylvanas) are Filipino frozen cookie sandwiches made with cashew-meringue wafers, buttercream filling, and coated in cookie crumbs. They’re the handheld version of the classic Sans Rival cake, originating from Dumaguete.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• For meringue wafers:

  • 1 cup egg whites
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar
  • ½ cup finely chopped cashew nuts
  • ½ cup crushed Graham crackers, Rosquillos, or Marie biscuits

• For buttercream filling:

  • 1 cup softened butter (or ½ cup butter + ½ cup premium margarine)
  • 1½ cups sifted powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp rum (optional)
  • 1 cup very cold evaporated milk (added gradually)

• For coating:

  • 1 cup additional crushed Graham crackers or cookie crumbs

Instructions

1. Make meringue wafers:

   1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
   2. Gradually add sugar while whisking until stiff, glossy peaks form (8–10 mins with stand mixer).
   3. Gently fold in chopped cashews and crushed cookies (or sprinkle on top to maintain volume).
   4. Pipe or spread into 2-inch rounds on a lined baking tray. Bake for 30–40 mins until crisp.

2. Prepare buttercream:

   1. Cream butter/margarine and powdered sugar until light.
   2. Add evaporated milk 1 tbsp at a time, mixing well between additions.
   3. Chill for 15 mins to firm up.

3. Assemble silvanas:

   1. Pair cooled meringues of similar size. Spread buttercream on one wafer, top with another.
   2. Roll edges in cookie crumbs. Freeze for 1 hour before serving.

Tips

• For a richer flavor, use all-butter icing instead of margarine.
• Substitute rum with vanilla extract if preferred.
• Store in the freezer; silvanas are meant to be eaten frozen.

FAQs

What’s the difference between silvanas and Sans Rival?

Silvanas are small, cookie-sized versions of Sans Rival, which is a layered cake. Both use cashew-meringue and buttercream but differ in size and presentation.

Can I use other nuts besides cashews?

Traditionally, cashews are used, but sources suggest (CONFLICT) Source 3 allows partial substitution with cookie crumbs for cost-cutting, while Wikipedia emphasizes cashews as a key ingredient.

Are silvanas served frozen or thawed?

All sources agree they’re served frozen, maintaining their crunchy texture.

Related guides

• Banana Cue: Filipino Caramelized Fried Bananas
• Bibingka (Filipino Coconut Rice Cake)
• Bibingkang Malagkit (Filipino Sticky Rice Cake)
• Filipino Biko Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to Sticky Rice Cake

Sources

• Silvana (food) - Wikipedia
• Sylvanas