\*\*\*This will be a multi-day process, as the mousse layer needs to freeze overnight.
You will need a round silicone entremet mold for this recipe. This recipe is for a 7.5 x 2 inch round mold. I bought one from Amazon for $8.99 - HYQO Entremet Mold Silicone, 7.5 x 2 In Round. You could also make this in a spring form pan, however you will need to line it quite a bit with plastic wrap and you will need to adjust the size of the layers according to the size of the pan. I have never tried it that way and can't vouch for it.
Here are the layers you will be making, in the order they will appear in the cake, from bottom up:
35 g feuilletine - recipe for this is all the way at the bottom
30 g graham cracker crumbs
25 g almond praline paste - recipe for this is all the way at the bottom
1 small pinch of salt
1. Crush the graham cracker into fine crumbs.
2. Break the feuilletine into smaller pieces but not tiny crumbs.
3. Melt the milk chocolate until it is smooth, then add the almond praline paste and salt and mix together.
4. Fold in the graham crumbs and feuilletine. It will get quite thick and chunky.
5. Line a 6-inch pan with cling wrap. Press the mixture into the pan and compact it down tightly (you can use the bottom of a glass to press it down). Try to get it as pressed and thin as possible.
6. Freeze for at least a few hours.
Vanilla Joconde Sponge:
1 large egg (about 50 g)
30 g almond flour
30 g powdered sugar
12 g all-purpose flour
1 large egg white (about 30 g)
8 g granulated sugar
10 g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla bean paste, or ¾ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line the bottom of a 6-inch pan with a round of parchment paper.
3. Whisk the whole egg, almond flour, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt for about 2–3 minutes, until noticeably lighter and slightly foamy.
4. Sift in the all-purpose flour and gently incorporate it.
5. Whip the egg white until foamy. Gradually add the 8 g granulated sugar.
6. Continue whipping until you have glossy medium-firm peaks. Don't take it all the way to a very stiff meringue.
7. Fold about â…“ of the whipped egg white into the egg mixture to lighten it. Fold in another â…“, then the final â…“, being gentle so you don't lose too much air.
8. Take a small spoonful of the batter and mix it thoroughly into the melted butter. Fold that butter mixture back into the batter.
9. Spread the batter evenly in the 6-inch pan and bake for 6-8 minutes, until the top is just barely golden and springy to the touch.
10. Cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for a few hours.
11. Once frozen, unwrap the sponge and shave down either the top or bottom so that the layer is very thin - no more than 1/2 inch tall. You can do this right before attaching it to the crunch layer.
Chocolate Ganache:
\*\*\*Don't make this layer until the sponge layer and the crunch layer are fully frozen and ready for assembly.
25 g dark chocolate, about 60–65%, finely chopped
15 g heavy cream
4 g glucose syrup or light corn syrup
2 g unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla paste
Tiny pinch of salt
1. Put the chopped chocolate in a small bowl.
2. Heat the heavy cream and glucose until steaming hot but not boiling.
3. Pour over the chocolate and let sit for about 1 minute.
4. Stir slowly from the center outward until completely smooth and glossy.
5. Stir in the butter, salt, and vanilla.
6. Let it cool until it thickens to a soft, spreadable consistency.
Assemble the crunch and sponge layers:
Keep the crunch layer in it's pan. Spread the chocolate ganache evenly over the crunch layer. Lay the sponge layer on top of the ganache and press down firmly and evenly on the sponge layer, so that it fully sticks to the ganache and crunch layer. Don't be afraid to evenly squish down the sponge layer a little (but don't make it lumpy). You should now have a crunch layer, ganache layer, and sponge layer all in one pan. Tightly wrap the pan and freeze.
Roasted Raspberry Crèmeux:
\*\*\*Make this layer before the gelee layer, as you will be pouring the gelee onto the frozen crèmeux layer.
150 g raspberries — fresh or frozen
15 g pure maple syrup
5 g lemon juice
1 large egg yolk — about 18 g
20 g granulated sugar
2 g powdered gelatin
10 g cold water, for blooming the gelatin
35 g heavy cream
25 g unsalted butter, softened
Tiny pinch of salt
½ tsp vanilla bean paste
Red food coloring
1. Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Put raspberries in a small oven-safe dish and drizzle with the maple syrup.
3. Roast for approximately 20–30 minutes, stirring once or twice. You want the raspberries to collapse and become darker and more concentrated.
8. Pour into a saucepan and cook over low to medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches approximately 180°F (82°C). Don't let it boil!
9. Once thickened to a custard, remove from heat. If need be, strain out any chunks.
10. Add the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
11. Add softened butter, vanilla, and salt. Blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth and glossy. Try to keep immersion blender submerged to avoid making bubbles. Add a few drops of the red food coloring.
12. Pour into a 6-inch pan lined with cling wrap.
13. Wrap the pan and freeze until completely solid, usually a few hours.
4. Remove from heat and stir in bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved.
5. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool down to 85–95°F (30–35°C).
6. Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks.
7. Add about 1/3 of the whipped cream to the raspberry mixture and whisk gently to lighten it. Then fold in the remaining whipped cream in two additions.
2. Line two half-sheet baking pans with parchment paper.
3. Cream butter with powdered sugar until smooth.
4. Add egg and beat until combined.
5. Drop 1/4 of the batter onto the prepared baking pan. Use an offset spatula or regular spatula to spread the batter as thin as possible. If you leave even the slightest thick area, it will bake doughy and that spot will be ruined.
6. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Keep a close eye on it. It's done when there's an even golden brown across the entire surface.
7. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. It will crisp up once cooled. Once cooled, break into pieces and store n airtight container.
8. Repeat with the remaining batter. For the recipe above, you only need one pan's worth.
Almond Praline Paste:
\*You will need a food processor for this.
1/2 cup raw sliced almonds
1/2 cup granulate sugar
1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1-2 Tbsp water
1. Preheat over to 350°F (177°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Spread the almond slices out on the baking sheet
4. Bake in the oven in middle rack for 1-2 minutes. Check the almonds and if they are the slightest bit golden, they are done. If not, continue baking in 30 second bursts. They will burn very quickly and easily.
5. Take the almonds out of the oven, leave on the pan and set aside to cool.
6. Place sugar in medium saucepan and add water, just enough to make all of the sugar wet but no more.
7. Set on medium-low heat and don't stir. The sugar will eventually melt, then begin to bubble. The bubbles may look a bit crusty, this is normally. Watch it closely. It will slowly darken in color. As soon as it is a deep golden amber, take it off the heat and quickly pour it over the almonds, using spatula to help it out of the pot. This melted sugar is extremely hot so be careful. Cover the almonds and let the whole thing cool.
8. Once fully cooled, break up the almonds and hardened sugar and place pieces into a food processor.
9. Add oil and blend. It will go through a few stages and different consistencies. You might need to stop and scrape the paste from the edges. After about 4 or 5 minutes, it should look like a fluid paste. If not, keep going. It will get there. You can store this in an airtight container at room temperature. #drink #food