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 madeleines and a sour cherry cream cheese mousse. It’s a great choice for holiday parties, ready in about 2 hours.

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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
• 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

1. Prep for Madeleines: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray four madeleine molds with cooking spray and then dust them with flour, tapping out the excess.
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 color without any streaks.
3. Bake the Madeleines: Use a tablespoon to spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine molds. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until the cakes are spongy and cooked through. 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.
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 fold in the remaining whipped cream, followed by the chopped sour cherries.
6. Assemble the Wreath: Transfer the mousse to a large piping bag. On a large 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, using more mousse between layers to secure them.
7. Decorate and Serve: Place maraschino cherries throughout the madeleine “leaves” to look like 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

• How do I keep my madeleines from sticking? Proper pan preparation is key. Use a nonstick cooking spray and get into every crevice of the mold, then follow it with a light but thorough dusting of flour. Tap out any excess flour before adding the batter.
• Why is my sour cherry mousse lumpy? To get a perfectly smooth mousse, it is essential that your cream cheese is completely softened to room temperature before you start beating it. Cold cream cheese will not blend smoothly with the sugar and will leave small lumps.
• How do I assemble the wreath so it doesn’t collapse? Piping a thick circle of the mousse onto the platter first acts as a “glue” to hold the first layer of madeleines in place. As you build upwards, use dabs of mousse between the layers to secure them and build a stable structure.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This is best assembled on the day of serving. However, you can bake the madeleines and make the mousse a day in advance. Store the madeleines in an airtight container at room temperature and the mousse in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Assemble just before your event.

What To Serve With the Madeleine Wreath

This show-stopping wreath is a complete and impressive dessert that is the star of any holiday table.

• Serve slices on their own on a dessert plate.
• A strong cup of black coffee or an espresso to balance the sweetness.

How To Store the Madeleine Wreath

Refrigerate: Due to the cream cheese and whipped cream in the mousse, this dessert must be refrigerated. Carefully cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. It is best enjoyed within 2 days as the madeleines will soften.

Madeleine Wreath Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 1 slice (of 16)
• Calories: 550kcal
• Protein: 7g
• Fat: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Sugar: 40g
• Sodium: 250mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

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