Avocado Lime Entremets
Handheld spring desserts to offer at your next picnic or garden party.Ingredients
Serves 12
2 large avocados
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
⅓ cup (75 ml) + 1¼ cups (310 ml) sugar, divided
1 pinch salt
5 sachets gelatin, divided
2 tbsp (30ml) warm water
1 cup (250 ml) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tsp (5 ml) lime zest
12 Lime Jellies, make ahead, recipe follows
2 tbsp (30 ml) + ⅔ cup (150 ml) water
⅔ cup (150 ml) condensed milk
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
12 oz (340 g) white chocolate, finely chopped
12 Almond Sables, make ahead, recipe follows
½ cup (125 ml) ground pistachios for garnish
raspberries and mint, for garnish
Instructions
- Cut avocados in half and scoop out flesh. Discard seeds and skin.
- In blender, mix avocados, lime juice, ⅓ cup (75 ml) sugar and salt until smooth.
- In a small heatproof bowl, bloom 2 sachets of gelatin in warm water, about 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until no lumps remain. Add avocado mixture and mix well.
- . Place bowl of bloomed gelatin in bowl of hot water until gelatin melts, about 2 minutes. Stir well until fully melted, then add to avocado mixture along with lime zest. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Pour mixture into twelve 2½-in (6.25 cm) domed silicone moulds, filling halfway up each dome. Add 1 Lime Jelly into each dome, flat-side facing up (if jellies are domed). Press lightly. Top with additional avocado mousse. Smooth surface with offset spatula and refrigerate for about 4 hours. Then freeze for at least another 2 hours before assembly.
- To prepare a mirror glaze before assembly, in a small bowl, bloom 3 sachets of gelatin in 2 tbsp (30 ml) water, for about 10 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, bring remaining ⅔ cup (150 ml) water, 1¼ cups (310 ml) sugar, condensed milk and vanilla extract to a gentle simmer. Turn off heat and stir in bloomed gelatin. Mix thoroughly.
- Place chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Pour hot condensed milk mixture through sieve over white chocolate and allow to melt, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Fully submerge immersion blender into melted white chocolate and blend until smooth without lifting blender while it is on. This avoids trapping air that can cause bubbles.
- Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into large bowl and cover surface with plastic wrap. Cool mixture for about 15 to 25 minutes, until 92 F (33 C). It is ready to pour over avocado mousse dome at this point.
- To assemble, place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Place Almond Sables on wire rack about 2-in (5 cm) apart. Invert frozen avocado mousse domes over sables.
- Pour mirror glaze over mousse domes to fully coat, catching excess drips in baking sheet under wire rack. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Discard remaining mirror glaze or store for future use. Can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Heat gently and mix until it is liquid, then cool to 92 F (33 C) to use as glaze on fruits or other desserts, as desired.
- Using a small offset spatula, gently transfer mousse domes to serving plates. Note: mousse domes will be sticky to touch.
- Garnish base of each dome with ground pistachios and top with raspberries and mint, as desired.
Drink Pairings
WINDOW SUGAR COOKIES
How about a Do-It-Yourself gift box? Fill your gift boxes with some homemade delicious treats. It’s a gift you can make, pack, pair and share!Ingredients
Serves 12 cookies
¾ cup (175 ml) unsalted butter
1½ cups (375 ml) granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
3 cups (750 ml) flour
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
1½ tsp (7 ml) baking powder
¾ cup (175 ml) thick, good quality raspberry jam
2 tsp (10 ml) minced ginger
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and mix to combine.
- Using a large sieve, sift flour, salt and baking powder into butter mixture. Mix again to combine. Using hands, form dough into a large disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit for 3 minutes. Cut dough in half and roll out one half to form a large circle about ¼-in (0.5 cm) thick. Cut 12 circles. Repeat this step with other piece of dough to make 24 circles in total. Using a 1-in (2.5 cm) wide cookie cutter in a star shape cut out a star shape in the middle of 12 cookies.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine jam and ginger. Using a spoon, scoop roughly 2 tsp (10 ml) jam onto each circle-shaped cookie. Place the star cut-out cookie on top to create a sandwich. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Drink Pairings
RED VELVET WHOOPIE PIES
How about a Do-It-Yourself gift box? Fill your gift boxes with some homemade delicious treats. It’s a gift you can make, pack, pair and share!Ingredients
Serves 24 cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
½ cup (125 ml) light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp (10 ml) red food colouring (optional)
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
2 tsp (10 ml) white vinegar
2 ⅔ cups (650 ml) flour
¼ cup (60 ml) cocoa powder, sifted
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
½ tsp salt
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (250 ml) cream cheese, room temperature
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
3 cups (750 ml) icing sugar*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream butter and sugars until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, red food dye (if using), vanilla and vinegar. Beat to combine.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and, using a spatula, mix together to form a dough. Wrap dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Make Cream Cheese Frosting.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and roll into 1-in (2.5 cm) sized balls (roughly the size of a golf ball). Place 6 to 8 dough balls on baking sheet evenly spaced apart. Bake until cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and place on a wire cooling rack. Repeat this step until all cookies are done. Allow to cool completely before icing.
- To assemble, using a piping bag or zip-top bag, cut tip of bag to release icing. Place a tablespoon-sized dollop of icing onto 1 cookie bottom. Using another cookie (flat side), press against the icing to create a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies.
- To make cream cheese frosting, In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream together butter, cream cheese, vanilla and salt. Add icing sugar 1 cup (250 ml) at a time, waiting until sugar is completely mixed in before adding more. Place into a piping bag or zip-top bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
Drink Pairings
MATCHA TREES
How about a Do-It-Yourself gift box? Fill your gift boxes with some homemade delicious treats. It’s a gift you can make, pack, pair and share!Ingredients
Serves 18 - 20 trees
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
¾ cup (175 ml) icing sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
2 tbsp (30 ml) matcha tea powder (unsweetened)
1¾ cups (425 ml) flour, plus more for rolling
1 cup (250 ml) white chocolate chips
1 tsp (5 ml) coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream together butter, sugar, salt and matcha powder until fluffy and pale green, about 3 to 5 minutes. Using a spatula, add flour and combine to form a dough. Using hands, mould dough into a 1½-in (3.75 cm) thick disk. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and discard plastic wrap. Place on a lightly floured dry working space. Dust top of dough lightly with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll dough into a large ¼-in (0.5 cm) thick circle. Continue to dust surface of dough if rolling pin begins to stick.
- Using a tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many cookies as you can. Transfer onto lined baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Place on a wire cooling rack with a baking sheet underneath to catch excess chocolate. Allow to cool completely.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave white chocolate chips and coconut oil for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. If chocolate needs to melt more, microwave for another 20 seconds.
- Using a spoon, drizzle chocolate over cookies in a side-to-side motion. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Drink Pairings
ORANGE-THYME SNOWBALLS
How about a Do-It-Yourself gift box? Fill your gift boxes with some homemade delicious treats. It’s a gift you can make, pack, pair and share!Ingredients
Serves 24 - 28 cookies
1 cup (250 ml) salted butter, room temperature
5 tbsp (75 ml) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (500 ml) pecan pieces
2 cups (500 ml) flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) orange zest, about 2 large oranges
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh thyme leaves, stems removed
½ cup (125 ml) icing sugar, or more as needed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to mix butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- In a small food processor, pulse the pecan pieces on high until finely ground.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together pecan grounds, flour, orange zest and thyme. Add dry ingredients, 1 cup (250 ml) at a time, to butter mixture. Beat mixture on low until no dry flour remains. Using hands, press dough together to form a ball. Tightly wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 365 F (185 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and roll into 1-in (2.5 cm) balls (roughly the size of a golf ball). Place on baking sheet with at least 1-in (2.5 cm) space between. Bake until cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes with a baking sheet underneath to catch excess icing sugar. Holding a mesh sieve over cookies, place ½ cup (125 ml) of icing sugar in sieve. Gently tap side of sieve to dust cookies generously. Repeat with more sugar, if necessary. Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Drink Pairings
CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES
How about a Do-It-Yourself gift box? Fill your gift boxes with some homemade delicious treats. It’s a gift you can make, pack, pair and share!Ingredients
Serves 18 - 20 cookies
2 eggs
½ cup (125 ml) sunflower oil
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
½ cup (125 ml) cocoa powder, sifted
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 ml) flour
1 tsp (5 ml) baking powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
½ cup (125 ml) chocolate chips
1 cup (250 ml) icing sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat eggs, oil, vanilla, cocoa powder and granulated sugar until combined, about 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and, using a spatula, stir to combine. Once mixture has formed a dough, mix in chocolate chips. Wrap dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and roll into 1-in (2.5 cm) balls (roughly the size of a golf ball). Place icing sugar on a plate and roll each ball in it to generously coat. Place 6 to 8 cookies on each baking sheet, leaving space between. Bake until cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Drink Pairings
Starry Linzer Torte
Celebrate the festivities of the season an impressive dessert.Ingredients
Serves 6
1 cup (250 ml) hazelnuts, lightly toasted and skins removed
½ cup (125 ml) blanched almonds
⅔ cup (150 ml) + 2 tsp (10 ml) sugar, divided
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
1½ cups (375 ml) flour
¾ cup (175 ml) butter, chilled + ½-in (1.25 cm) cubed
2 egg yolks
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
1½ cups (375 ml) raspberry jam
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice
1 egg
2 tbsp (30 ml) water
1 tbsp (15 ml) icing sugar
Instructions
- In a food processor, grind together hazelnuts and almonds until fine like powder, about 1 minute. Add sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, salt and flour and pulse for about 15 seconds.
- Add butter and continue pulsing for another 30 seconds.
- In a small bowl, mix egg yolks and vanilla. With food processor running, add egg mixture to nut mixture until it forms a dough ball.
- Transfer dough to a clean surface and divide into 2. Flatten 1 half into a disk and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Pull about 2-in (5 cm) chunks of dough from remaining half and scatter into tart pan. Using fingers, press dough to cover bottom and sides of tart pan. Place plastic wrap over dough. Using back of a measuring cup, flatten dough across bottom and push into sides. Remove plastic wrap. Using a sharp knife trim excess dough from top edge of pan. Place in freezer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Place a large piece of foil over frozen dough in tart pan. Spread pie weights on top to cover surface of tart shell. Loosely cover with foil, to prevent dough from burning in oven.
- Bake on centre rack for 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove foil and pie weights and allow tart shell to cool completely.
- Roll chilled dough disk between two 16-in (40.5 cm) lengths of parchment paper to about ¼-in (0.5 cm) thickness. Refrigerate again for about 15 minutes.
- Using star-shaped cookie cutters of various sizes, cut chilled dough into stars. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- In a medium bowl, mix raspberry jam and lemon juice. Pour into tart shell and spread evenly across surface.
- In a small bowl, mix egg and water to make egg wash. Brush over chilled stars. Sprinkle 2 tsp (10 ml) sugar as desired over stars and place over raspberry jam in tart shell.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes on middle rack until edges are golden brown.
- Cool on wire rack and allow to rest for 2 to 3 hours.
- Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Drink Pairings
Chocolate St. Honoré
Celebrate the festivities of the season an impressive dessert.Ingredients
Serves 8 - 10
6¼ oz (200 g) puff pastry dough, thawed
1 egg
3 tbsp (45 ml) water
Chocolate Crème Chiboust, recipe follows (do not make ahead)
8 oz (250 ml) dark chocolate, finely chopped
2¾ cups (650 ml) whipping cream, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) cocoa powder
3 tbsp (45 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
gold leaf, for garnish (optional)
CHOUX PASTRY DOUGH
1 cup (250 ml) water
½ cup (125 ml) cold butter, cut into roughly 1-in (2.5 cm) squares
1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
1 cup (250 ml) flour
4 eggs
CHOCOLATE CRÈME CHIBOUST
½ tbsp (7 ml) gelatin
2 tbsp (30 ml) + ⅓ cup (75 ml) water
5 eggs, separated
¼ cup (60 ml) cornstarch
2 tbsp (30 ml) + 1 cup (250 ml) sugar
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
1 cup (250 ml) chopped dark chocolate
1 cup (250 ml) milk
1 tbsp (15 ml) instant coffee powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Lightly grease sides of 9-in (23 cm) springform pan and line bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
- On clean surface, roll out puff pastry to roughly 10-in (25 cm) square and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a fork, poke holes across surface of pastry, then bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.
- Leaving pastry on parchment-lined baking sheet, place base of springform pan over pastry and, using a sharp knife, cut around edges to make a 9-in (23 cm) circle. Discard remaining pastry.
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- Fill a large piping bag fitted with a ½-in (1.25 cm) round tip (or similar) with prepared Choux Pastry Dough. Pipe a circle around edge of puff pastry base about ½-in (1.25 cm) from edge. Pipe a 1½-in (3.75 cm) round in centre. Then pipe a circle between outer and inner piped circles.
- On another parchment-lined baking sheet, pipe a tiny bit of pastry under parchment paper at all 4 corners. Gently press down corners to help paper stick to baking sheet.
- Pipe 1½-in (3.75 cm) round mounds, about 2-in (5 cm) apart. Gently press pointy peaks with moistened finger to smooth tops.
- In a small bowl, lightly whisk together egg and water. Gently brush egg wash over tops of all prepared choux pastry, including the circles on puff pastry base. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Do not open oven while baking. Once baked, remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, prepare Chocolate Crème Chiboust (recipe below). Gently, puncture bottom of each round choux pastry with nozzle and fill with Chocolate Crème Chiboust until you feel the edge of puff gently push back in your hand. Place on lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Place puff pastry circle with baked choux circles in prepared springform pan. Gently puncture small holes in baked choux circles on puff pastry circle with nozzle and fill with Chocolate Crème Chiboust. Pipe any remaining filling into gaps between circles and smooth surface with an offset spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Place chopped chocolate in medium, heatproof, non-reactive bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring ¾ cup (175 ml) whipping cream to a gentle simmer, not boil. Pour over chopped chocolate and let it rest for 1 minute to melt chocolate. Then whisk until smooth and glossy.
- Dip each cream puff into chocolate ganache and carefully place on baking sheet. Once you have enough cream puffs to line inner circumference of springform pan, pipe a tiny amount of ganache at base of each cream puff and place on top of choux circle along outer edge. Refrigerate.
- In large bowl, whip together mix 2 cups (500 ml) whipping cream, cocoa powder, sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Transfer to large piping bag fitted with large St. Honoré piping tip. Remove outer ring of springform pan and pipe as desired on top of cake. Garnish with gold leaf, if using. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- FOR CHOUX PASTRY DOUGH, In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together water, butter, sugar and salt and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add flour. Using a wooden spoon, mix until fully incorporated. Return to heat and cook mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, until a thin layer sticks to bottom of pan while stirring and mixture comes together as a dough.
- Transfer dough to a large bowl and allow to cool slightly.
- Using a wooden or silicon spoon, add 1 egg at a time and mix dough until each egg is fully incorporated. Dough should be soft and able to hold stiff peaks when lifted. Use as needed.
- FOR CHOCOLATE CRÈME CHIBOUST, In small heatproof bowl, sprinkle gelatin in water and set aside to bloom.
- In another medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, 2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar and salt until fully incorporated and no lumps remain.
- Place chopped chocolate in a small heatproof bowl over a small saucepan of gently boiling water, making sure bottom of bowl of chocolate does not touch boiling water. Stir constantly until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring milk and instant coffee powder to boil. Remove from heat and slowly transfer ⅓ cup (75 ml) to egg mixture, whisking constantly making sure not to cook eggs. Add back to saucepan with remaining milk and stir vigorously. Return to heat and continue cooking until mixture thickens to consistency of thick sauce only, not paste.
- Remove from heat. Add melted chocolate and bloomed gelatin. Mix well until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to cool at room temperature.
- In a standing mixer, whisk egg whites until frothy over medium speed.
- In a small saucepan, boil 1 cup (250 ml) sugar and ⅓ cup (75 ml) water until mixture reaches 248 F (120 C) on a candy thermometer.
- With stand mixer on medium speed, slowly pour melted sugar syrup into egg whites. Turn off mixer and scrape down sides of bowl to ensure sugar is well integrated into mixture. Turn mixer back on and whisk meringue on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Using a hand mixer, whisk chocolate crème until smooth and fluffy. Fold in ⅓ of whipped meringue into chocolate crème until no white streaks remain. Add remaining egg whites and fold in until fully incorporated. Transfer to a large piping bag fitted with a narrow choux pastry filling injector nozzle and use as needed.
Drink Pairings
Strawberry Pistachio Cake
Celebrate the festivities of the season an impressive dessert.Ingredients
Serves 6 - 8
1 cup (250 ml) chopped strawberries
3 tbsp (45 ml) + 6 oz (180 g)* sugar, divided
1 pinch salt
2 tbsp (30 ml) + ¼ cup (60 ml) hot water
1 cup (250 ml) shelled pistachios, reserve 3 tbsp (45 ml) for garnish
6¼ oz (200 g) flour
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
6 eggs, separated
½ tsp (2.5 ml) almond extract
½ cup (125 ml) vegetable oil
¾ cup (175 ml) buttermilk
1 drop green food colour (optional)
1 tbsp (15 ml) gelatin
5 oz (140 g) white chocolate, finely chopped
4 oz (125 g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream
12 strawberries, hulled and halved
strawberries and white chocolate-dipped strawberries, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine chopped strawberries, 1 tbsp (15ml) sugar and a pinch of salt. Let rest at room temperature for 1 hour to macerate. Set aside.
- In a small heatproof bowl, mix 2 tbsp (30 ml) hot water and 2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar until sugar is fully melted. Set this simple syrup aside until ready to use.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Grease and dust two 9-in (23 cm) round cake pans with flour. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper.
- Using a food processor, in 10 second bursts, grind pistachios to a fine powder, not a paste. Sieve through strainer and reserve coarser pieces for garnish, about 3 tbsp (45 ml).
- In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and remaining sieved, ground pistachios.
- In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, almond essence, 3 oz (90 g)* sugar, vegetable oil and buttermilk until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Fold in flour mixture and food colouring, if using, until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, whisk together egg whites until frothy. Add 3 oz (90 g)* sugar, then increase speed to high and whisk until stiff peaks form.
- Fold ⅓ of whipped egg whites into pistachio batter until no white streaks remain. Fold in remaining egg whites until fully incorporated.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans and bake a until toothpick inserted in centre of cake comes out dry, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and invert onto wire rack to cool completely. Discard parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, add gelatin to water and allow to bloom for about 10 minutes.
- In a heatproof bowl, melt white chocolate over small saucepan with simmering water, stirring constantly. Do not allow simmering water to touch bottom of bowl with white chocolate. When melted, remove from heat and whisk well until smooth. Cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk cream cheese until no lumps remain. Melt gelatin in microwave on medium strength for 10 seconds, stir well and add to cream cheese. Pour melted white chocolate over cream cheese and mix until fully incorporated. Set aside to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk cream until soft peaks hold their shape. Fold in ⅓ of whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until no white streak remain. Fold in remaining whipped cream until incorporated. Do not overbeat.
- Using a sharp knife, cut edges of cake into 8-in (20 cm) circles. Lightly grease bottom and sides of an 8-in (20 cm) springform pan. Line bottom with parchment paper and sides with acetate paper. Secure top of acetate paper where ends overlap with a small piece of adhesive tape.
- Place 1 cake circle at bottom of pan. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush surface of cake with prepared simple syrup. Line edge of cake with halved strawberries, pointy end up.
- Fill a small piping bag with about ½ cup (125 ml) of white chocolate mousse and pipe around strawberries along acetate paper.
- Reserve 1 cup (250 ml) white chocolate mousse. In a large bowl, fold macerated strawberries into remaining mousse. Pour over cake. Evenly sprinkle 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground pistachios over surface.
- Cover with second cake circle. Refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours.
- When ready to serve, remove cake from springform pan and slowly peel away acetate paper. Decorate surface as desired with fresh and white chocolate-dipped strawberries on top of cake and reserved coarsely ground pistachios at base.
Drink Pairings
Plant-Based Chocolate Raspberry Tart
You'll be coming back for more with this recipe!Ingredients
Serves 8-10
40 Oreo cookies
5 tbsp (75 ml) plant-based butter*, melted
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can coconut cream
8 oz (226 g) semi-sweet plant-based chocolate, plus extra for garnish
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
⅛ tsp (0.5 ml) salt
2 cups (500 ml) fresh raspberries, for garnish
½ cup (125 ml) hazelnuts, roasted, for garnish
½ cup (125 ml) semi-sweet plant-based chocolate shavings, for garnish (optional)
5 mint leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Prepare a 11-in (28 cm) round tart pan by cutting an 11-in (28 cm) round of parchment paper and placing it in bottom of tart pan. Spray sides with cooking spray.
- In a food processor, blend Oreos into crumbs. Slowly add butter while pulsing to form a wet sand-like crumble. Place mixture in centre of prepared pan. Using wet fingers or bottom of a water glass, press mixture down and up sides to form a crust. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp. Allow to cool completely.
- In a saucepan, warm coconut cream over medium heat, about 4 minutes. Do not allow to come to a boil.
- In a large stainless steel bowl, add chocolate and hot coconut cream. Allow to sit for 2 minutes. Whisk until all chocolate has melted, then whisk in vanilla and salt. Pour chocolate mixture into tart pan and let set in refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Garnish with raspberries, hazelnuts, chocolate shavings and mint leaves.