Embark on a culinary journey with our refined Cherry Elegance dessert, a creation designed to captivate your senses with its subtle flavors and textures. This culinary work of art combines light sponge cake, a smooth cream cheese blend, and handcrafted cherry jam in layers that blend seamlessly for a taste experience that’s both sophisticated and refreshing. Adorned with bright cranberries and fragrant rosemary, it’s a visual and gustatory delight.
Perfect for any event requiring a dash of elegance and a hint of sweetness, this cherry concoction is poised to be a treasured addition to your recipe repertoire. Let us lead you through the creation of this distinguished dessert, where each layer unfolds a narrative of taste and craftsmanship.
Ingredients
Sponge Cake Base:
- 4 large eggs
- 120g granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 30ml vegetable oil
- 120g all-purpose flour
- 4g baking powder
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 350g creamy soft cream cheese
- 70g icing sugar
- 200ml heavy cream (33% fat content)
Homemade Cherry Filling:
- 50ml water
- 15g cornflour
- 300g pitted cherries
- 50g granulated sugar
Garnish:
- A handful of cranberries
- A few sprigs of rosemary
Method
1. Sponge Cake Preparation:
- Heat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Beat the eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl until pale and voluminous.
- Incorporate the lemon zest and vegetable oil into the egg mixture, blending thoroughly.
- Sift the flour with baking powder and fold gently into the mixture until just incorporated.
- Transfer the batter into a prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool.
2. Cherry Filling:
- Dissolve cornflour in water to create a slurry.
- Cook cherries and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until they begin to soften and release their juices.
- Stir in the cornflour slurry, continuously stirring until the mixture thickens. Cool it down.
3. Cream Cheese Filling:
- Whip the cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until homogeneous.
4. Assembling the Dessert:
- Slice the cooled cake horizontally to create layers if preferred.
- Spread a generous amount of cream cheese filling over the base layer, followed by the cherry filling.
- Continue layering as desired, finishing with a layer of cream and cherry filling.
- Embellish with cranberries and rosemary for a decorative touch.
5. To Serve:
- Refrigerate the dessert for at least an hour to allow the flavors to integrate and the dessert to firm up for slicing.
Savor the exquisite blend of light, creamy, and fruity flavors in your delightful cherry dessert!