Dessert & Baked Goods » Coeur a la Crème
Ingredients
Strawberry Sauce
- 8 oz strawberries, hulled
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
Passion Fruit Sauce
- ½ cup passion fruit juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp mild-flavored honey
For Coeur a la Crème
- 1¾ cups heavy cream, divided
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 6 oz mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
- 6 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Macadamia Nut Crumble (optional)
- 2 cups roasted & salted macadamia nuts
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted & cooled
Suggested Garnishes
- sliced strawberries
- edible flowers
Equipment
- 8 perforated heart molds (3½" each)
- 8 cheesecloth squares (10" x 10"), dampened
How-to
Blend & Simmer Strawberry Sauce
- In a blender, puree strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar until smooth.
- Transfer mixture to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer gently for 5 minutes
- Transfer to a small, heat-proof bowl and cool in refrigerator, at least 1 hour
Make Passion Fruit Sauce
- Add 2 tbsp of the passion fruit juice to a small bowl, and stir with the cornstarch until dissolved
- In a small saucepan, bring remaining juice and honey to a boil over medium-high
- Whisk in cornstarch mixture and return to a boil. Simmer to thicken, about 1-2 minutes
- Transfer mixture to a small, heat-proof bowl and cool in refrigerator, at least 1 hour
Mix & Mold Coeur a la Crème
- Dampen cheesecloth squares and press into perforated molds to line
- In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip 1¼ cups of the heavy cream with the powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. You do not need to clean the mixer for the next step
- In the mixer, whip cream cheese and mascarpone until smooth, scraping down the bowl at least once
- Slowly add remaining heavy cream and beat on low speed until incorporated, scraping down the bowl
- Mix in lemon juice, vanilla, and salt
- Using a large spatula, fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in 3 batches, until incorporated
- Divide mixture evenly among prepared molds. Fold cheesecloth over the top of the hearts and press gently to evenly distribute into mold. Give each mold a tap on the counter
- Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours
Make Macadamia Nut Crumble (optional)
- Add macadamia nuts, brown sugar and butter to a food processor, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand
Unmold & Plate
- Invert mold onto a small plate (not your serving plate). Peel away the cheesecloth on the top
- Spoon sauces onto serving plate (about 2 tbsp each sauce on either side)
- If using, pile some of the macadamia nut crumble into the center of the plate and use a spatula to transfer the coeur a la crème and place atop the crumble
- Garnish with sliced strawberries or edible flowers if desired, repeat with remaining molds, sauce and crumble, and serve immediately
Kelley Geller
Kelley Geller had a successful career in finance, but found herself constantly obsessed with learning about food. She left her lucrative job to attend culinary school outside D.C at L'Academie de Cuisine. After graduating with Honors, she gained experience working as a personal chef (that allowed her the opportunity to cook for a former First Lady and Secretary of State!), in kitchens of area restaurants, and in catering. Kelley is passionate about "empowering people to be able to cook on their own," and that passion led her back to her culinary Alma Mater to teach adult education classes and kids' cooking camps. An opportunity to further her love of teaching and work at America's Test Kitchen as a Test Cook for Cook's Country Magazine brought her to Boston. Here, Kelley was able to hone her skills in recipe development and writing. All of this experience helped to prepare her for a rigorous 6-month stint as the Chef of Stir in Boston's South End, part of Barbara Lynch Gruppo. Kelley currently resides in Boston with her husband Jason (who also loves to cook!) and recently signed on as an instructor with the Boston Center for Adult Education, so that she may continue to share her knowledge of and passion for food with others.
Kelley Geller uses mascarpone and cream cheeses as the base for this gorgeous, chilled, no-bake dessert. Sweetened whipped cream is folded into the mixture giving it an airy, mousse-like texture. She pairs it with a duo of vibrant strawberry and passion fruit sauces and suggests to serve it with her Macadamia Nut Crumble, as a deconstructed cheesecake of sorts. Make this dessert ahead of time for a deceptively easy, heart-shaped treat.
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