Mango Tres Leches / Mango Three Milk Cake

 

Many years ago I posted a Vanilla Tres Leches Cake recipe which was loved by many of my readers. Recently, I tried a mango flavoured version with an eggless sponge. It was a huge hit in our home. This time I assembled the cake in individual serving glasses and by now you all know how I love preparing desserts as individual servings. Assembling in individual glasses is more tedious and time consuming, but you can easily assemble this in the same dish which you used to bake the cake for a more effortless job. Do try this and let me know how you liked it. 

 

Mango Tres Leches / Mango Three Milk Cake

(6 servings)

Eggless Sponge Cake:
Ingredients:

All-purpose flour - 1⅔ cup (180gm)

Baking Soda – ½ tsp 

Baking Powder – ¾ tsp

Salt – ¼ tsp

Butter Milk - 1 cup

Vegetable oil - ¼ cup

Sugar - ⅔ cup

Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp

Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 tsp

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180C. Lightly grease one 9” round or square pan or two  5” round pans.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, sugar and vanilla extract well. Add the apple cider vinegar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk again. Leave to stand for 5 minutes until bubbly.
• Now sift over the plain flour and whisk in to mix.
• Divide the batter between the prepared baking dishes,
• Tap the dishes gently on the counter, then bake for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown and the tester comes out clean.
• Remove to rack, demould after 10-15 minutes, then cool completely.
• Once the cake has completely cooled cut out rounds to fit your serving glasses / bowl. 
• Poke holes all over the cake using a fork to better absorb the Mango Tres Leches syrup.

For Mango Tres Leches Syrup

1 cup thick mango puree or 2 ripe mangoes

½ can (200 gm) sweetened condensed milk

¾ cup evaporated milk

¾ cup heavy cream or whipping cream

• Puree mango pieces in a blender without adding any water. Then add condensed milk, evaporated milk and whipping cream and blend again. Mango Tres Leches syrup is ready.
• Reserve ¼ cup of the syrup to add to the topping mix. Then divide the milk mixture and pour over each cake.
• Leave for a couple of hours to soak the  milk.

Cream Topping

1 cup (250ml) whipping cream

3 tbsp icing sugar

¼ cup of reserved mango Tres Leches syrup

Diced mangoes, fresh cherries and mint leaves to decorate

• Whip the cream, when soft peaks form add the sugar and the reserved ¼ cup of the mango Tres Leches syrup little by little, continue whipping until stiff peaks form about 2 mints.
• Layer the whipped cream mix over the soaked cake, Garnish with diced mango pieces, cherries and mint leaves. Best to rest the cake in the fridge overnight to complete the soaking process and serve.   

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Passion Fruit Mousse (Eggless)

 

I have some passion fruit pulp in my freezer that my Appa gave me on my last vacation in 2019… that was the last batch of passion fruit pulp which he gave me before he passed away… I just kept it in the freezer, untouched all this while, and recently when I missed him a lot, I took it out and made this passion fruit mousse… I still have one huge bottle in the freezer, that I am keeping like a treasure, to use occasionally when I miss him terribly…

This passion fruit mousse is easy to make… you just need a blender or hand mixy… no cooking involved, and it is eggless too… Passion fruit pulp can be added according to taste… 1 cup of the pulp to the mousse will give you a very mild taste of passion fruit. I like the passion fruits tangy flavour a lot, so I ended up adding 1 ⅔ cup of pulp. If you are adding only one cup of pulp you can omit sugar. This mousse has a very creamy consistency. I suggest you set the mousse in individual glasses or ramekins instead of one bowl…

I have tried to take a video while making the mousse and I am attaching the YouTube video with this recipe… since I am not an expert in taking videos there are lot of flaws in it and I am trying hard to improve… I hope it will be helpful to some of you 😊

  

Passion Fruit Mousse

(Recipe adapted from here)

Ingredients

For the mousse:

Sweetened Condensed Milk - 1 can (397g)

Heavy cream / whipping cream (cold) - 1 ⅓ cups (290g)

Passion fruit pulp – 1 to 1 ⅔ cup (according to taste)

Gelatin -1 tsp (If you are planning to set the mousse in one large bowl use 2 tsp of gelatin)

Sugar -  ¼ cup (optional, add less or omit if it is sweet enough with the condensed milk)

Water - 3 tbsp

For the Topping:

Pulp of 3 fresh passion fruits, with seeds (about ⅔ cup)

Sugar -  ¼ cup

Method:

• To make Passion fruit pulp, blend the pulp with ¼ cup water for a few minutes and strain through a fine mesh sieve.
• Dissolve gelatin in 3 tbsp water in a small bowl and let it swell for 5 minutes. Microwave the mix for 30 seconds. Cool slightly before using.
• Combine the heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, passion fruit pulp, sugar, and melted gelatin in the blender. Blend for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the mousse to individual glasses or ramekins or to a large serving tray. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
• Top with the passion fruit sauce and serve. 

To make the topping:

• Combine the fresh passion fruit pulp with seeds and the sugar in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook for two more minutes, until it thickens slightly.
• Let it cool to room temperature and serve with mousse.

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Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles

I had planned to post this Salted Caramel Fudge recipe for New Year, but the first post of the year got delayed this far… These chocolate dipped, melt- in-mouth caramel truffles are really addictive and I must warn you that you will not be able to stop with just one truffle :) I made these truffles on stove top, but it can be made completely on a microwave and I will be sharing both methods below.  These Truffles are great as one of the items on a dessert table for parties and also are a great option for gifting... Do try these as a Valentine’s day special and let me know how you liked it...

Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles
(Recipe from here)

Ingredients:
Unsalted Butter - 60 grams (1/4 cup)
Sweetened Condensed Milk - 240 ml (1 cup)
Brown Sugar - 90 grams (1/2 cup)
White Chocolate - 150 grams (1 cup), broken into pieces
Sea Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Dark or Milk chocolate - 300 grams (2 cups)
Crushed peanut or hazelnuts, optional

Method:

Stove Stop Method:

• In a medium saucepan, add condensed milk, brown sugar and butter. Place on low heat and stir together until combined and the sugar is dissolved.
• Turn up the heat to medium and continue to stir until the mixture is simmering and starts to thicken. This may take 5-6 minutes in which time the caramel will be very thick and golden in colour.
• Remove the caramel mixture from the heat and stir in all the white chocolate. Give it a good stir to make sure the chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Lastly, stir in sea salt.
• Place caramel fudge in the fridge to firm up for at least 3-4 hours.
• Leave the caramel fudge at room temperature for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over a double boiler, stirring until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Scoop out tablespoons of the caramel fudge and roll into a ball.
• Dip each ball into the melted dark chocolate. Use a fork to scoop out the ball and place on an oven tray lined with baking paper.
• Repeat with remaining caramel fudge truffles. Top each truffle with crushed nuts (if using).
• Store truffles in the fridge.

Microwave Method:

• In a microwave-safe bowl add butter, sweetened condensed milk and brown sugar.
• Heat in the microwave for approximately 3 minutes, stopping to stir every minute. By the end of the 3 minutes, the butter will be completely melted and the sugar is dissolved. 
• Give the caramel a good stir, then heat for another 3 minutes, making sure you stir every 30 seconds. If you don’t stir the caramel will get too hot and bubble over. 
• The caramel wil be very thick and golden in colour. 
• Add white chocolate. Give it a good stir to make sure the chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. 
• Lastly, stir in sea salt.
• Place caramel fudge in the fridge to firm up for at least 3-4 hours.
• Leave the caramel fudge at room temperature for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.
• Scoop out tablespoons of the caramel fudge and roll into a ball.
• Dip each ball into the melted dark chocolate. Use a fork to scoop out the ball and place on an oven tray lined with baking paper.
• Repeat with remaining caramel fudge truffles. Top each truffle with crushed nuts (if using).
• Store truffles in the fridge.

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Chocolate and Coffee Mousse Entremets’ with Chocolate Mirror Glaze

As always an intention of a short break somehow gets extended to several months!! After a great eight weeks of summer vacation we came back last month. By the time I settled down, my son’s mid-term exam had started! Anyway to compensate for the five month long gap, today, I have come up with a lengthy dessert post for you all :) :) 

An entremet or entremets is in modern French cuisine a small dish served between courses or simply a dessert. It is a multi-layered mousse-based cake with various complementary flavours and varying textural contrasts. Entremets are the perfect dessert for someone who likes a little bit of everything. This dessert consists of a brownie base, two types of mousses and a mirror glaze. The recipe is long, but with a little patience and planning ahead of time, it is quiet easy to make. As you all know I am a huge fan of making individual desserts and hence I set this in small dessert rings but you can just as easily set it in an 8 inch cake ring or loose bottom cake tin. This was an experimental trial for our wedding anniversary last month. Both the mousse recipes are from previous posts of mine. This is the first time I am trying my hands on chocolate mirror glaze. We really loved the different textures and flavours in this dessert. Do try this on your special day and let me know the outcome....

Chocolate and Coffee Mousse Entremets’ with Chocolate Mirror Glaze Recipe 

Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

White sugar - 1 cup

Butter - ½ cup

Cocoa powder - ¼ cup

Vanilla essence - ½ tsp

Eggs - 2

All-purpose flour - ¾ cup

Baking powder - ¼ tsp

Salt - ¼ tsp

Walnut halves - ¼ cup

Method:

• Melt the butter or margarine and mix all ingredients in the order given.
• Bake at 350˚F (175˚C) for 20 to 25 minutes in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan.
• Once the brownie has completely cooled cut out 6 rounds with small dessert rings (I used 2.5” rings).

Coffee Mousse

Ingredients:

Egg yolk - 1

Sugar - ¼ cup (50g)

Corn flour - ¾ tbsp 

Warm milk - 1/3 cup (80ml)

Vanilla essence - ¼ tsp 

Instant coffee - ½ tbsp

Rum / Coffee Liqueur - 1 tbsp (optional) 

Gelatine powder - ¼ tbsp 

Cold water - 1 tbsp 

Whipping cream - ½ cup (120g), 35% fat, chilled

Method:

• Stir egg yolk with sugar until creamy and pale yellow coloured. Stir in corn starch. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until completely combined.
• Place the yolks mixture into a small saucepan and cook over low heat while stirring until boils and thickens.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla essence and instant coffee. Let it cool.
• Dissolve gelatine in 1tbsp cold water and let it swell for about 5 to 10 minutes. Place over low heat just until the gelatine dissolves and then pour it over coffee mixture. (You can also add 1tbsp of rum or coffee liqueur to the mix if you prefer)
• Whip the cold whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Gradually incorporate into coffee mixture.
• Pour this mixture evenly on top of the brownie layer in the cake rings and refrigerate until set while you are making chocolate mousse. 

Eggless Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:

Milk - 1 cup

Cocoa powder - 1 tbsp

Cornflour - ½ tbsp

Sugar - 2 tbsp

Gelatine -1 ½ tsp

Cooking chocolate - 40gm, grated

Coffee powder - ½ tsp

Vanilla essence - ¼ tsp

Cream - ½ cup, whipped till fluffy

Method:

• Mix cocoa powder and cornflour in ¼ cup milk in a small bowl to a paste.
• Boil the rest of the milk with sugar in a heavy bottomed pan.
• Add cocoa and cornflour paste to the boiling milk, stirring continuously.
• Add grated chocolate. Cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes till chocolate dissolves. Add coffee and remove from fire.
• Put 3 tbsp water in a small pan. Add gelatine. Dissolve on low heat. (For china grass mix it with 1 cup water and heat till it dissolves).
• Mix gelatine solution with the chocolate custard. Chill in the freezer for about 20 minutes till a little thick but not set. Beat the thickened chocolate custard.
• Beat cream and essence till slightly thick and fluffy. Add whipped cream to chocolate mixture. Mix gently.
• Pour this mixture evenly on top of the coffee mousse layer in the cake rings.
• Freeze these rings really well while you are preparing the mirror glaze. 

Chocolate Mirror Glaze:

Ingredients:

Sugar - 210gm

Water – 1/3 cup / 75g

Cocoa Powder - 70g

Thick Cream - ½ cup + 4 tsp / 145g

Gelatine - 3 tsp

Cold Water - 3 tbsp

Method:

• In a medium bowl, bloom gelatine in cold water and keep it aside.
• In a saucepan, combine 1/3 cup water, sugar, thick cream and cocoa powder. Combine everything with a balloon whisk and cook on medium heat and slowly bring it to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes stirring continuously until mixture slightly thickens.
• Remove chocolate mixture from the heat and whisk in bloomed gelatine until thoroughly combined.
• Pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, and allow mixture to cool to lukewarm before using. Stir the glaze occasionally as they cool, so they don’t form a skin on top.
• Remove mousse from freezer and carefully slide the mousse from the dessert rings. Place it on a parchment lined cookie sheet, elevated off the sheet using small jars or cooling racks.
• Pour glaze generously over mousses, taking care to ensure there are no bare spots left. Allow the excess glaze to drip off for 5 or 10 minutes, then gently scrape the edges to remove any remaining drops.
• Carefully transfer cakes using a small offset spatula to cardboard cake rounds or small pieces of parchment paper for easy movement.  
• Transfer the glazed mousse to the fridge to set for a few hours before serving.Any leftover glaze can be scraped up and refrigerated in an airtight container for later use. When you are ready to use it, warm the chocolate glaze to lukewarm. Strain it through a fine mesh strainer before using, otherwise tiny air bubbles will show on the glaze.

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Vanilla Bean Condensed Milk Panna Cotta

May the spirit of the Lord fill your home this Easter and all the rest of your days.

Have a Blessed and Happy Easter!

Hope all are ready for Easter celebrations.... Here is a really delicious and creamy, low fat panna cotta recipe for you to impress your loved ones…. 

Vanilla Bean Condensed Milk Panna Cotta

(Recipe from here)

Ingredients:

Low fat whipping cream – 500 ml

Low fat Condensed milk – 200 gm tube (half a tin)

Skimmed Milk – 200 ml

Vanilla Bean Paste – 1 tsp

Gelatine – 3 tsp

Method:

• Place low fat cream, milk, condensed milk and vanilla in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat & whisk in gelatine until smooth and gelatine has dissolved.
• Pour into six 1/3 cup glasses, cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
• Spoon strawberry topping on top of the panna cotta, serve decorated with fresh strawberries and mint leaves.

Strawberry Topping

Ingredients:

Fresh or frozen strawberries – 250gms

Sugar – 1/2 cup
Cornflour - 1 1/2 tbsp

Pinch of salt
Almond extract - 1/8 tsp

Juice of ½ lime
Method:

• In a large saucepan toss together the strawberries, sugar, cornflour, lime juice and salt. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes to allow the sugar to draw out the juice.
• Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and boiling. Simmer 1 minute. The mixture should just barely drop from a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in almond essence. Cool and spoon over cold panna cotta. 

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No-Bake Tiramisu Truffles

Valentine ’s Day is just around the corner, so here is a quick recipe for you to try out! Tiramisu truffles are a wonderful blend of Italian biscuits, coffee and chocolate all in one delicious bite. These truffles taste best when served the next day after making it, which allows the Savoiardi (ladyfinger biscuits) to absorb all the flavours and really bring out the true taste of tiramisu.

No-Bake Tiramisu Truffles

(Adapted from here)

Ingredients

24 Savoiardi  / Ladyfinger Biscuits (12 oz or 1 packet)

2 tbsp Sugar

2/3 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature

1 tbsp instant coffee powder

2-3 tbsp Rum / coffee liquor

2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate

1 tsp instant coffee powder (optional)

Method: 

• In a food processor, blend Savoiardi (ladyfinger biscuits) until you have fine crumbs. Set aside 2 tablespoons to sprinkle on the truffles later.
• Add the sugar and 1 tbsp coffee powder and whisk until combined.
• In to this add the mascarpone cheese and mix until fully incorporated.
• Add the rum or coffee liquor one tablespoon at a time. You need to get a the dough similar to a soft cookie dough. Transfer the mixture to a container and place in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.
• Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Remove the mixture from the fridge (it should be firmer now). Start to shape the mixture into 36 (1-inch) balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for 10 minutes.
• Melt the chocolate over a double boiler and stir in the coffee powder (The chocolate should be completely smooth and velvety).
• Dip a cold tiramisu truffle into the melted chocolate and transfer it back to the baking sheet.
• Sprinkle the truffle with the crushed lady fingers you set aside earlier. Repeat for the remaining truffles.
• Place the baking sheet in the fridge for a 5 to 10 minutes for the chocolate to harden. Store tiramisu truffles in an airtight container in the fridge.
• You can bring them to room temperature before serving if preferred.

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Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe

May this festive season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes and dreams come true, and may you feel this happiness all year round. Merry Christmas!

It is like just yesterday we celebrated Christmas and in just a blink of an eye it’s another Christmas! Hope you all have finalised your Christmas menu and are all set to celebrate with your loved ones… If you are still confused with the menu you can go through my Christmas special here or I have created an album on my Facebook page that you can check out...

Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse Cake is a very easy to make recipe. I made this first time for my husband’s birthday earlier this year. That time I set it in a cake tin and I also did mirror glazing on top of it. It was an awesome birthday cake for people who prefer something different from the usual.... I am a huge fan of making desserts in individual glasses, so the second time I prepared this, I served it in individual glasses like in the picture. I really loved the way it turned out! Do try this recipe, I am sure you will love this no bake eggless decadent dessert!

Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse Cake

(Recipe from here)

Prep time

30 mins

Serves: 16

Ingredients:

For the Biscuit Layer:

Crushed Arrowroot / Digestives biscuits - 250gm

Butter - 100gm

For the White chocolate layer:

White Chocolate - 200gm

Cream - 150 ml

Gelatine Powder – 2 tsp

Water - 2 tbsp

For the Strawberry Mousse layer:

Strawberries - 300gm

Sugar - ¼ Cup / 50gm

Gelatine Powder - 2 tsp

Water – 2 tbsp

500ml Cream

Method:

• Place the biscuits into a food processor and process until smooth. Melt the butter and pour over the crushed biscuits.
• Mix until well combined and press into the base of a cake tin / or into small individual glasses. Place into the fridge to set.
• Place the strawberries and sugar into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the strawberries have softened. Add the gelatine powder and water and mix until dissolved.
• Place into a blender and blend until smooth. Leave to cool.
• Melt the white chocolate and cream together in a saucepan. Add the gelatine and water and mix until dissolved. Leave to cool.
• Whip the cream and fold half into the white chocolate mixture and half into the strawberry mixture.
• Spread the white chocolate over the set biscuits and place back into the fridge for 10-15 minutes until starting to set.
• Pour over the strawberry mousse and place back into the fridge to set completely for 2-3 hours.

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Cinnamon Roll Fudge

Christmas is around the corner and I am sure many of you have already started your Christmas preparations…. To ring in the festive spirit I thought of sharing this Cinnamon Roll Fudge recipe…. Cinnamon Roll Fudge has a smooth and creamy texture with the combination of cinnamon and white chocolate swirling around…. If you are looking for some easy to make Christmas gift ideas, this will be a perfect one for you…  Please do check these Fudge & Truffles recipes I have posted earlier for more ideas…. Wishing you all a December filled with Peace, Love & Happiness… Enjoy!  

Cinnamon Roll Fudge

(Recipe from here)

Ingredients:

Evaporated Milk - 2/3 cup / 170 gm can (not sweetened condensed milk)

Granulated sugar - 1 1/3 cup

Vanilla Essence - 1 teaspoon

A pinch of salt

Mini Marshmallows - 1 1/2 cups

White chocolate chips - 1 1/2 cup

Cinnamon chips - 1 cup

Method:

• Melt cinnamon chips in a heat safe bowl on top of a small pot of simmering water. Do not let the hot water touch the bowl. Take the bowl off when cinnamon chips are melted and set aside. (The melted cinnamon chips may have a thick consistency. But when it cools, it will become creamy.)
• Put marshmallows and white chocolate in a large mixing bowl, set aside.
• Bring milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt to boil over medium heat. Cook for 4 minutes, stir constantly. Remove from heat.
• Pour over marshmallows and white chocolate. Stir until all combined and the chocolate chips and marshmallows are melted. (If marshmallows are not melted, you have to heat the mixture in low heat stirring continuously).
• Pour 1/2 the fudge mixture into a lined 8” X 8” baking dish. Line the pan with parchment paper or aluminium foil, sprayed with cooking spray.
• Spoon small dollops of 1/2 of the melted cinnamon chips onto the bottom layer of fudge mixture. Continue with the rest of the fudge mixture and finish off with the rest of the melted cinnamon. Glide a knife all the way through the fudge to make swirls.
• Place in the refrigerator to set up for at least 2 hours or set overnight at room temperature before cutting into pieces.
• Enjoy!

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Raffaello Pudding

Raffaello Pudding is a wonderful combination of coconut, cream, condensed milk and white chocolate which resembles the taste of the Ferrero Rocher Raffaello Truffles. This is a very rich pudding with a beautiful texture and flavour. No cooking or baking is involved in the making of this pudding, you just need to whip everything and refrigerate to set. Make sure to use desiccated coconut, do not use fresh coconut to make this pudding. I only made half the quantity of the pudding and set in individual serving glasses. If you are setting the pudding as individual servings, as in the picture, you only need to add half table spoon of gelatine.

Raffaello Pudding

(Recipe from Lekshmi Nair)

(20-25 servings)

Ingredients:

Coconut Milk Powder – 200 gm

Fresh Cream – 400 ml (1 ¾ cups)

Whipping Cream – 250 ml (1 cup)

Condensed Milk – 1 tin

Desiccated Coconut – 1 cup

Gelatine – 1 tbsp. (use only half tbsp if setting in individual glasses)

Cold Water – ¼ cup

White Chocolate, grated – 1 ½ cups

Almonds / Badam – ½ cup, grated or finely chopped

Method:

• Sprinkle gelatine over cold water and let stand for 5-10 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl whip together coconut milk powder, condensed milk, whipping cream and fresh cream until soft peaks are formed.
• Melt gelatine, either in microwave for 10 seconds or heat gently stirring well.
• Pour the melted gelatine to the above pudding mix and whip well until everything is blended.
• In a small bowl mix together desiccated coconut, grated almonds and 1 cup of grated white chocolate and combine well. Add this mix to the whipped pudding mixture and beat again until everything combined well.
• Transfer the mix to a pudding dish or individual serving bowls. Decorate with remaining grated white chocolate and allow to set in fridge for 5-6 hours.
• Serve chilled.

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Flourless Chocolate Cake with Coffee Mousse

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I thought my new post should be a chocolate dessert. Now a days short cooking videos are very popular in social media and people tend to share a lot of those videos. Although I love to watch such videos, I am not at all comfortable making video recipes :) :) …. Today’s recipe is one such shared recipe on Facebook. I immediately loved the recipe as it has my favourite chocolate and coffee in it. The chocolate cake is flourless and it is great for those who have gluten intolerance. The rich and fudgy chocolate base is topped with aromatic, soft and silky coffee mousse. It is absolutely heavenly and decadent dessert to make for your loved one!

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Coffee Mousse

(Recipe from here)

Makes about 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Butter - ½ cup (110g)

Semisweet chocolate - 150g (5 oz )

Eggs - 3, separated

Sugar - ½ (100g)

Unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 tbsp 

Salt - a pinch

Coffee Mousse

Egg yolks - 2

Sugar - ½ cup (100g)

Corn flour / corn starch - 1 ½ tbsp 

Warm milk - 2/3 cup (160ml)

Vanilla essence - ½ tsp 

Instant coffee - 1 tbsp 

Gelatine powder - ½  tbsp 

Cold water - 2 tbsp 

Whipping cream - 1 cup (240g), chilled

Method:

Flourless Chocolate Cake

• Grease and line a 8-inch (20 cm) spring form pan (with a removable base) with parchment paper. Separate egg yolks from whites. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Melt chocolate and butter over a bain-marie (double boil) until smooth. Let it cool slightly. Add yolks one at a time and stir well. Stir in cocoa powder and salt. 
• Whip egg whites until foamy using a mixer. Gradually add sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.  Gently fold the whipped whites into chocolate mixture.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. Let it cool completely in the pan over a cooling rack.

Prepare the coffee mousse:

• Stir egg yolks with sugar until creamy and pale yellow coloured. Stir in corn starch. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until completely combined.
• Place the yolks mixture into a small saucepan and cook over low heat while stirring until boils and thickens.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla essence and instant coffee. Let it cool.
• Dissolve gelatine in 2 tbsp cold water and let it swell for about 5 to 10 minutes. Place over low heat just until the gelatine dissolves and then pour it over coffee mixture.
• Whip the cold whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Gradually incorporate into coffee mixture.
• Spread the coffee mousse over the chocolate cake in the pan, using an offset spatula.
• Cover and refrigerate for about 4 hrs or overnight to set before serving.
• Run a warm knife around the edges of the cake to remove the sides of the pan.
• Dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder.
• Using a warm knife cut the cake into slices and serve.

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Shahi Falooda / Royal Falooda

Falooda is a popular Indian layered dessert with very different textures and components. The layers consist of rose syrup, vermicelli, tukmaria seeds, jelly, rose milk, fresh fruits and nuts and vanilla ice cream. The recipe and the process looks very elaborate but if you make all the things ahead of time it will be very easy to assemble just before serving. Tukmaria / Sabja seeds / sweet basil seeds are available in Indian stores and it is entirely different from Chia seeds. Tukmaria or sabja seeds are believed to have a lot of health benefits and you can read about it here.... There are a lot of different versions of Falooda recipes and I liked Ria’s version of vermicelli cooked in milk to a kheer than just boiling in water. So here is the recipe for one of the most beautiful looking desserts for you…

Shahi Falooda / Royal Falooda

Ingredients:

For the Vermicelli Payasam / Kheer:

½ cup Semiya / Vermicelli

2 cups milk

⅓ cup Sugar

¼ tsp cardamom powder

For the Rose Milk:

1 ½ cups cold milk

1 tsp sugar

2 tbsp Rooh-Afza / Rose Syrup

For the Tukmaria:

1 tbsp Tukmaria / Sabja seeds / Sweet Basil seeds

1 cup water

For Falooda:

1 packet Strawberry / Raspberry jelly / jello

2 tsp Rooh-Afza / Rose Syrup

Fruits of your choice like Straberries, banana, apple etc, chopped

Vanilla Ice Cream

Pistachios / Cashew Nuts / Almonds, to decorate

Mint Leaves to decorate

Method:

For the Vermicelli Payasam / Kheer:

Bring 2 cups milk to a boil, add ⅓ cup sugar and ½ cup Semiya / Vermicelli and cook till the vermicelli is soft and the mixture is thickened, stirring often.  Add cardamom powder, mix well and turn off the heat. Chill until use.

For the Jelly:

Make jelly by following the instructions on the packet. Cool and refrigerate. Once cool, cut into small cubes and set aside.

For the Rose Milk:

Add 2 tbsp Rooh-Afza and 1 tbsp sugar to 1 ½ cups cold milk and chill till needed.

For the Tukmaria:

Soak Tukmaria / sabja seeds / Sweet Basil seeds in 1 cup water for 20 minutes and allow to bloom. Drain the water and set aside.

To Assemble Falooda:

In a tall glass add a tea spoon of Rooh-Afza / Rose Syrup, followed by 2 tsp of tukmaria, a couple of table spoons of vermicelli kheer, chopped fruits and jelly cubes. Pour some rose milk to cover the assembly. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and garnish with sliced nuts and mint leaves and serve immediately.

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