Charlotte Russe Recipes

CHARLOTTE RUSSE

Steps:

• In a chilled bowl, whip the cream until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla. Whip to soft, fluffy peaks, about 2 minutes.
• FOR THE CAKE: Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Line a 12-slot muffin tin with large paper or foil cupcakes liners.
• Into a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 cup of the sugar together--three times. Form a well in the center and add the oil, egg yolks, sherry, and apple juice concentrate. On low speed, mix together, just until blended.
• In a clean, dry mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites with the pinches of salt and cream of tartar until creamy, foamy, and barely able to hold peaks, about 2 minutes. While sprinkling in the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, whisk until the egg whites have the consistency of shaving cream.
• Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the yolk mixture. Fold in the remainder of the whites. Fill the cups of the muffin tin no more than 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for 16 minutes, or until the center springs back when lightly pressed and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes on a rack.
• Cut 12 (2 1/4-inch) circles and 12 (2 by 8 1/2-inch) bands out of glossy card stock. Wrap the bands around the circles to form cups and secure with tape or decorative ribbon. Do not tape any part of the circle. It must remain free to move.
• FOR THE FILLING: Mix the preserves and apple juice until smooth. Split the cakes into 2 layers. Spread 1 teaspoon of the preserves in between layers. Place the cakes in the paper holders so that the cake top is even with the paper rim.
• Fill a pastry bag, fitted with a star tip, with whipped cream. Pipe it to rise 1-inch above the paper rims. Top each with a strawberry.

CHARLOTTE RUSSE DE RASPBERRY

Steps:

• Grease 9-inch springform pan with butter. Split ladyfingers lengthwise. Sprinkle cut surfaces with liqueur. Place ladyfingers around sides and in bottom of buttered pan (cut sides facing center and top of pan).
• In small saucepan, combine water and gelatin; let stand 2 minutes to soften. Heat mixture over low heat until gelatin dissolves, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice and raspberries; beat with wire whisk until frothy. Refrigerate 15 minutes or just until mixture begins to thicken.
• Gently fold cooled raspberry mixture into whipped cream. Pour into ladyfinger-lined pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or until mixture is set.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Place butter in shallow baking pan. Place pan in oven for 1 to 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Add almonds; stir until well coated. Bake at 350°F. for 8 to 10 minutes or until almonds are light golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar; stir to coat. Cool completely.
• In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; beat at high speed until stiff peaks form. Garnish top of dessert with whipped cream and sugared almonds. Store in refrigerator.

CHARLOTTE RUSSE

Steps:

• Place milk in a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Set aside for 5 minutes to soften and heat over low heat until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream with 1 cup of the sugar until firm peaks form when beaters are raised. Set aside.
• Place egg yolks in a large bowl and gradually beat in remaining sugar. Beat at high speed several minutes, until mixture is thick and pale yellow. Stir in gelatin and bourbon. With a rubber spatula, fold in 1 1/84 of the cream to lighten the mixture; then fold in the remaining cream.
• In another large bowl, with clean beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form when beaters are raised; fold into cream mixture. Line an 8-cup charlotte mold with ladyfingers (preferably homemade), spoon in the cream mixture and chill until set.