Chocolate Berry Charlotte
Rating
Serves: 8
Learn how to bake your own ladyfingers with this delicious and fruity date night recipe!
Ingredients
- nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
- LADYFINGERS
- 6 large eggs, seperated
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 g), divided
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour (155 g)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
- 3 cups heavy cream (720 mL), cold
- ¾ cup heavy cream (180 g), hot
- ½ cup sugar (100 g)
- 6 oz dark chocolate (150 g), chopped
- FOR GARNISH
- fresh blackberry
- fresh raspberry
- chocolate shaving
- 8 sprigs fresh mint sprig
- ribbon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Line 3 baking sheets (work in batches if necessary) with parchment paper and grease with nonstick spray.
- Make the ladyfingers: In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric hand mixer until foamy. Gradually add ¼ cup sugar while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
- In a medium bowl, beat together the egg yolks and remaining ½ cup sugar until thick and pale in color, about 3 minutes. Gently fold the yolks into egg white mixture with a rubber spatula. Sift in the flour and salt and fold to incorporate. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag fitted with a large round tip.
- Release the bottom from a 9-inch springform pan and set the ring in the center of a prepared baking sheet. Starting at the center of the ring and working your way outward, pipe the batter in a spiral pattern, about 1 centimeter thick, leaving a ½-inch border around the edge. Remove the ring. With the remaining batter, pipe 40 3-inch (10-centimeter) long by 1-inch (2½-centimeter) wide cookies onto the remaining 2 prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the spiral and cookies for 15-17 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges. Do not allow to get too dark. Let cool completely.
- Make the chocolate mousse: In a large bowl, beat the cold heavy cream with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and beat to incorporate.
- In a medium bowl, pour the hot heavy cream over the chocolate. Stir with a rubber spatula until melted and smooth.
- Fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream until incorporated.
- Set the spiral cake base on the bottom of the springform pan and attach the ring. There should be a small gap between the cake and the ring mold. Line the gap on the inside edge of the ring with the ladyfingers, flat sides facing in. You want a snug fit so use as many ladyfingers as needed.
- Pour the chocolate mousse into the center and smooth in an even layer. Chill until set, at least 4 hours in the refrigerator or about 2 hours in the freezer.
- Garnish the charlotte with blackberries, raspberries, chocolate shavings, and mint sprigs. Release the springform and tie a ribbon around the outside of the charlotte.
- Remove the ribbon before slicing and serving. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 2 days.
- Enjoy!
