Cook easy French dessert recipes in your own kitchen. Here are the most popular dessert recipes for the week of June 23, 2008.
A touch of espresso gives an uplifting makeover to classic vanilla crème anglaise. Make a special treat by spiraling some on a chilled dessert plate and topping it with a scoop of luscious homemade sorbet.
This fresh strawberry sorbet is incredibly bright tasting and refreshing. It’s equally welcome as a warm afternoon refreshment or a shocking palate cleanser in the dead of winter. Make sure to use fresh berries for this recipes, as frozen strawberries are often lacking in flavor.
Cardamom coffee mousse is a sophisticated version of a classic French dessert recipe. Make it up to 36 hours in advance; the extra chilling time will allow the flavors to develop.
Chocolate and pistachio is a favorite flavor combination in France. Make sure to shave the chocolate into thick strips so it doesn’t disappear during the mixing phase.
Wine-poached figs are exceptional when served with a scoop of Lemon Sorbet. Make the presentation special by serving the dessert in a frozen martini glass and topping it with a frosted lemon peel spiral.
Rich chocolate truffles are enlivened with a bit of Grand Marnier and orange zest in this delicious recipe. Ganache and the proper rolling technique are the secrets of this recipe's success.
Orangettes are strips of candied orange peel dipped in dark chocolate. They make an elegant gift and look great served on a decorative dish along with the coffee at the end of a meal. This recipe is several steps long, but it can be doubled if you want a bigger serving for the time spent in the kitchen.
The classic flavor combination of maple and walnuts marries well with bananas in this decadent crepe recipe.
Chocolate pastry cream can be used in profiteroles, or cream puffs, Napoleons, éclairs, tarts, and Génoise cake. This one is especially good piped into tart shells and topped with a three perfect raspberries.
Flaky, buttery sables are warmly accented with a touch of cinnamon and rich coffee filling. Enjoy these tradition treats with simple Café au Lait or a celebratory brandied Café Napoleon.
