Amandine

Delicious Amandine Recipe – a refined and elegant dessert

Amandines are a classic dessert, loved by many for their combination of rich chocolate and fine textures. This sophisticated dessert has its roots in pastry traditions that blend elaborate techniques with simple ingredients, offering an unforgettable sweet experience. In this recipe, I will show you how to prepare perfect Amandines, step by step, to impress anyone who crosses your threshold.

Total preparation time: 8 hours (including cooling time)
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 24 (each serving has a side of 6 cm)

Ingredients for the base:
- 15 large eggs
- 15 tablespoons of sugar
- 11 tablespoons of flour
- 4 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar

Ingredients for the cream:
- 500 g of quality dark chocolate
- 500 ml of liquid cream
- 150 g of sugar
- 1 essence of rum

Ingredients for the syrup:
- 300 g of sugar
- 300 ml of water
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa
- rum essence to taste

Ingredients for the fondant:
- 1 kg of sugar
- 500 ml of water
- 100 g of liquid glucose (or honey)
- 4 tablespoons of cocoa

Step 1: Preparing the cocoa base
Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. Prepare a pan measuring 36 x 36 cm, lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla sugar using an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy. This is the moment when the incorporated air will make the base fluffy.

Sift the flour and cocoa together to avoid lumps. Begin to fold the flour and cocoa mixture into the egg mixture using a spatula. Use gentle folding motions to keep the air in the mixture.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and level it well. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the base passes the toothpick test (when the toothpick comes out clean). Once baked, let the base cool completely in the pan.

Step 2: Preparing the syrup
Meanwhile, you can prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, add the water and sugar, stirring well. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cocoa and rum essence, stirring until well combined. Let the syrup cool.

Step 3: Preparing the chocolate cream
In a saucepan, add the chopped chocolate, liquid cream, and sugar. The heat should be low so that the chocolate melts slowly, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Once the chocolate has completely melted, remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

After it has cooled, add the rum essence and put the cream in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. After this time, use a mixer to whip the cream until it becomes airy and light.

Step 4: Assembling the Amandines
Once the base has completely cooled, cut it in half. Place the first half back in the pan and generously soak it with the cooled syrup. Add an even layer of chocolate cream, then place the other half of the base on top. Soak again and cover with the remaining cream. Level the surface well.

Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours (it’s best to leave it overnight) so that the flavors combine perfectly.

Step 5: Preparing the fondant
To prepare the fondant, in a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and glucose. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the cocoa and mix well. Let it boil for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes syrupy but not too thick.

Step 6: Glazing and serving
After the cake has set, cut it into 6 cm squares. Dip each square into the warm fondant, allowing the excess to drain. Place the Amandines on a rack to dry.

For an elegant presentation, you can decorate each Amandine with a chocolate lattice or a dollop of cream.

Useful tips:
- Use good quality chocolate to achieve a richer and more delicious cream.
- Make sure the base is completely cooled before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- If you want to add a touch of originality, you can replace the rum essence with orange or almond essence.

Delicious combinations:
Amandines can be served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a berry sauce, or even with a flavored coffee. These combinations will further highlight the intense taste of chocolate.

Nutritional benefits:
Both chocolate and cream contain antioxidants that can contribute to cardiovascular health, and eggs are an excellent source of protein. However, the consumption of this dessert should be moderate due to its high sugar and calorie content. A serving of Amandines has approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the ingredients used.

So, don't hesitate to enjoy this refined dessert, perfect for special occasions or simply to indulge yourself. Amandines will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones!

 Ingredients: Base 15 eggs 15 tablespoons sugar 11 tablespoons flour 4 tablespoons cocoa vanilla sugar Cream 500 g chocolate 500 ml liquid cream 150 g sugar 1 rum essence Syrup 300 g sugar 300 ml water 2 tablespoons cocoa rum essence Fondant 1 kg sugar 500 ml water 100 g liquid glucose (or honey) 4 tablespoons cocoa