The delicate, light French treats can be filled with soft, creamy ganaches or jams. The ganache here is mixed with a dash of truffle oil and porcini powder to create an earthy mushroom truffle flavor.
It’s a perfect treat for a sophisticated dinner party or afternoon break.
Pastries
Pastries like those from Cocoa Dolce are baked food items in various shapes, sizes, flavors, and textures. They are traditionally sweet but can also be savory. The key to pastry making is utilizing flour with low gluten content and solid fats to coat the dough and decrease gluten formation.
Choux pastry, or pate a choux, is one of the most versatile doughs in patisserie. This dough can be shaped into numerous delicate savory and dessert items, including profiteroles, eclairs, and more.
A popular choice on many dessert menus, pies are available in various flavors, from apple and cherry to peach and blueberry. Other delicious pies include quiche, tarts, and strudles.
Macarons
Macarons are a bite-sized delicacy that is popular for both taste and presentation. These French almond meringue cookies are sandwiched with a buttercream or ganache filling; flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, and rose are commonly used. Food-safe dyes are also added for aesthetic appeal.
Creating macarons requires expert precision to ensure the perfect balance of moisture and consistency. Whip egg whites into a stable meringue. It is recommended to use a stand or hand mixer. Adding too much or too little moisture will result in flat or cracked biscuits.
One of the most essential ingredients in a macaron is the shell. Using the best quality shells ensures your cookies have a strong and distinctive flavor. Baking sheets and silicone baking mats are also crucial for preparing the surface of your macarons before placing them in the oven. Lastly, using a piping bag with a round tip is critical for shaping your macarons into unique shapes.
Boxed Chocolates
Pastry chefs are reimagining traditional confections by discovering new ingredients and novel pairings. From single-origin chocolate to intricate layered Opera cakes, their commitment to culinary excellence is evident in every heavenly bite.
Taking on a challenge is part of the fun for pastry chefs and chocolatiers. For example, Chef Gonzalo Jimenez uses a combination of skill and artistry to create whimsical sculptures out of chocolate – including robots and steam pumps.
To showcase the artisanship of their creations, some chocolatiers also design beautiful boxed chocolates to gift to friends and family. These boxes can be a lovely way to send a message and can be personalized with a special touch or surprise element.
Desserts
These elegant treats are as exquisite as they are delicious, featuring chocolate, caramel, and the fruity tastes of strawberry, raspberry, and lemon.
Macarons have a reputation for needing help to make. Still, with some practice, you can create luscious French sandwich cookies that are perfectly round with the signature ruffled circumference known as ‘pieds.’ The result is crisp outside and chewy inside, with a heavenly taste and texture that is nutty and smooth.
The key to perfect macarons is the meringue, which must be whipped to stiff peaks and carefully folded with dry ingredients. This requires precision to ensure that air is removed as much as possible, leaving a batter that is smooth and ‘lava-like.’
In her book, Ann Amernick demonstrates how to combine the simple elements of these delicate treats into a stunning array of mouth-watering desserts. From a cheese Danish sandwich to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup truffles, she offers nearly 100 show-stopping recipes that add elegance to any meal.