Save Celebrate the charm of winter with Table dHiver Sapin et Flocons, a festive French dessert that evokes snowy pines and delicate snowflakes. Featuring a moist pistachio-almond sponge paired with a silky white chocolate mousse, this creation is finished with a dusting of coconut flakes to resemble freshly fallen snow. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this dessert blends texture and flavor to bring a magical winter forest right to your table.
Save With a medium difficulty level and a total time including chilling, this recipe invites you to indulge in a mindful baking experience, capturing the elegance of French patisserie while celebrating seasonal ingredients and textures.
Ingredients
- Sponge Cake
- 60 g ground almonds
- 40 g pistachio flour
- 100 g icing sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 egg whites
- 30 g granulated sugar
- 40 g unsalted butter, melted
- White Chocolate Mousse
- 200 g white chocolate, chopped
- 250 ml heavy cream (chilled)
- 2 egg yolks
- 25 g granulated sugar
- 3 sheets gelatin (or 6 g powdered gelatin)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Decoration
- 50 g shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- 50 g white chocolate shavings
- Edible silver pearls or sugar snowflakes (optional)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for pine trees, optional)
Instructions
- 1.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- 2.
- For the sponge, whisk ground almonds, pistachio flour, icing sugar, and whole eggs until pale and fluffy.
- 3.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks, gradually adding granulated sugar until stiff.
- 4.
- Gently fold the egg whites into the almond mixture. Stir in melted butter.
- 5.
- Spread the batter on the prepared tray (about 1 cm thick) and bake for 12–14 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
- 6.
- For the mousse, soak gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes. Melt white chocolate gently over a bain-marie.
- 7.
- Heat 75 ml cream with vanilla until steaming, then whisk in egg yolks and sugar over low heat until thickened (do not boil). Remove from heat and dissolve the squeezed gelatin in the mixture.
- 8.
- Combine with melted white chocolate, then let cool to room temperature.
- 9.
- Whip remaining cream to soft peaks. Fold gently into the cooled chocolate mixture.
- 10.
- Cut sponge cake into pine tree shapes using a cookie cutter or knife. Place on serving plates or a platter.
- 11.
- Pipe or spoon white chocolate mousse over each cake piece, creating a snow-covered effect. Chill for at least 45 minutes.
- 12.
- Before serving, sprinkle generously with shredded coconut for snow, add shavings, and decorate with silver pearls or rosemary as desired.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Accurately beating the egg whites ensures a light sponge, while gentle folding preserves airiness. Melting white chocolate over a bain-marie prevents burning, and allowing the mousse to cool before folding in cream prevents curdling. Use a sharp cookie cutter or knife for clean pine tree shapes to enhance presentation.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Substitute ground hazelnuts for pistachio flour for a different nutty profile. To make the recipe gluten-free, verify all ingredients, especially chocolate, are certified gluten-free. Optional decorations like edible silver pearls or fresh rosemary sprigs add festive flair.
Serviervorschläge
This dessert pairs beautifully with a late-harvest Riesling or Champagne, complementing its sweetness and elevating your winter celebration.
Save Embrace the festive spirit with this enchanting dessert that not only captures the essence of winter but also showcases meticulous French technique. Each bite invites you to savor the harmony of nuts, chocolate, and snowy coconut, perfect for sharing joyful moments.
Recipe FAQs
- → How is the pistachio almond sponge prepared?
Ground almonds, pistachio flour, and sugar are whisked with eggs until fluffy, then folded with whipped egg whites and melted butter before baking until lightly golden.
- → What gives the mousse its creamy texture?
The white chocolate mousse combines melted chocolate with a gelatin-thickened custard and whipped cream folded in gently to ensure lightness.
- → How do you create the pine tree shapes?
The sponge cake is cut into pine tree silhouettes using a cookie cutter or knife before assembling the dessert.
- → What decorations evoke the winter theme?
Shredded coconut mimics snow, while white chocolate shavings and optional silver pearls or rosemary sprigs add festive touches.
- → Can ingredients be substituted for dietary needs?
Hazelnuts may replace pistachios, and gluten-free certified chocolate can ensure suitability for gluten-sensitive individuals.