Madeleine Wreath with Sour Cherry Mousse Recipe

This Madeleine Wreath with Sour Cherry Mousse Recipe is a festive and elegant recipe, which is made with green-tinted lemon madeleines and a tart cherry cream filling. It’s a show-stopping holiday centerpiece, ready in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

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Madeleine Wreath with Sour Cherry Mousse Recipe Ingredients

For the Madeleines:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 cups flour, plus more for dusting
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon green gel food coloring, plus more if needed

For the Sour Cherry Mousse:

• Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 6 tablespoons syrup from sour cherries (jarred)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sour cherries packed in syrup, chopped
• 1 teaspoon kirsch, optional
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

• Maraschino cherries
• Red modeling chocolate

How To Make Madeleine Wreath with Sour Cherry Mousse Recipe

1. Prep for Madeleines: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray four madeleine molds (shell pans) with nonstick cooking spray and then dust them with flour. Tap out the excess flour over the sink.
2. Make the Madeleine Batter: In a stand mixer, whip the eggs until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the granulated sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt and mix to combine. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour, a little at a time. Still on low, drizzle in the melted butter. Add the green food coloring and mix until the batter is a uniform “leaf green” color without any streaks.
3. Bake the Madeleines: Use a tablespoon to spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine molds, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until the cakes are spongy and spring back when touched. Let the madeleines cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Make the Mousse Base: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the room temperature cream cheese and 1/2 cup of the confectioners’ sugar until light, fluffy, and smooth. On low speed, add the cherry syrup, optional kirsch, and vanilla, scraping down the sides as needed to incorporate everything evenly.
5. Finish the Mousse: In a separate large bowl, whisk the heavy cream to soft peaks. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of confectioners’ sugar and continue mixing until stiff peaks form. Gently fold one-third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it. Then, carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream, followed by the chopped sour cherries.
6. Assemble the Wreath: Transfer the mousse to a large piping bag (you can snip the tip off or use a large round nozzle). On a large serving platter, pipe a thick circle of mousse to act as a base. Begin layering the cooled madeleines in a circle on top of the mousse to form a wreath shape, angling them like leaves. Use dabs of mousse between madeleine layers to secure them and build height.
7. Decorate and Serve: Place maraschino cherries throughout the madeleine “leaves” to mimic holly berries. Roll the red modeling chocolate thin and use a pizza cutter to slice strips. Form the strips into a bow shape and place it at the top of the wreath. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Gel vs. Liquid Coloring: Use gel food coloring rather than liquid drops. Gel provides a vibrant color without adding excess moisture that could alter the texture of the delicate sponge.
• Greasing the molds: Madeleines are notorious for sticking. Even if your pan is nonstick, do not skip the butter/spray and flour step. Getting them out intact is crucial for the “leaf” look.
• Modeling Chocolate Substitute: If you cannot find or make modeling chocolate, you can use red fondant, marzipan, or even a clean, wide satin ribbon (just remove it before eating).
• Mousse Consistency: Ensure the cream cheese is fully at room temperature before beating, or you will end up with lumps in your mousse.

What To Serve With Madeleine Wreath with Sour Cherry Mousse

This dessert is visually stunning and pairs well with festive beverages.

• Hot chocolate or spiced cider
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Espresso or Cappuccino
• A dessert wine like Port

How To Store Madeleine Wreath with Sour Cherry Mousse Recipe

• Refrigerate: Because of the cream cheese mousse, the assembled wreath must be refrigerated. It is best eaten within 24 hours as the madeleines will eventually soften from the moisture in the mousse.
• Make Ahead: You can bake the madeleines a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The mousse can also be made a day ahead and kept in the fridge; give it a quick whisk before assembling.
• Freeze: Do not freeze the assembled dish. You can freeze the baked madeleines for up to 1 month.

Madeleine Wreath with Sour Cherry Mousse Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 450
• Total Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sodium: 220mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 42g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 28g
• Protein: 6g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving and may vary based on ingredients used.

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