Chocolate and strawberry delight

Delicious dessert with chocolate and strawberries

Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooling time: 1-2 hours Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes Number of servings: 12

I propose a recipe that combines the flavor of chocolate with the freshness of strawberries, resulting in a spectacular dessert, perfect for any occasion. This delicacy not only looks amazing, but its taste will surely impress anyone who enjoys it.

The history of this dessert is linked to the tradition of combining fruits with chocolate, an association that has gained popularity worldwide, due to the contrast between the decadent sweetness of chocolate and the acidity of strawberries. Additionally, this recipe is easily adaptable, allowing you to experiment with different types of cookies or liqueurs.

The necessary ingredients for this dessert are:

Biscuit base:
- 140 g cookies (I recommend "Petit Beurre" cookies for a better taste)
- 100 g nuts or peanuts (your choice, both provide a crunchy texture)
- 100 g butter (melted)
- 100 g white chocolate (melted)

Strawberry jelly:
- 200 g strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 5 g gelatin hydrated in 2 tablespoons water

Chocolate cream:
- 3 whole eggs
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 250 ml whipped cream (well beaten)
- 100 g dark chocolate (melted)
- 4 tablespoons orange liqueur (or other preferred liqueur)
- 10 g gelatin hydrated in 4 tablespoons water

For decoration:
- 200 ml whipped cream (well beaten)
- 300 g dark chocolate (melted)
- 50 g white chocolate (for decoration)

Step by step to achieve the perfect dessert:

1. Preparing the biscuit base:
- Start by grinding the nuts or peanuts in a food processor until fine. Then, crumble the cookies just as finely.
- In a bowl, melt the butter together with the white chocolate. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous composition.
- Add the ground cookies and nuts to the chocolate and butter mixture. Mix everything until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap, ensuring that you cover the bottom and sides well.
- Evenly sprinkle the biscuit base in the bottom of the pan, pressing lightly to fix it. Place the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.

2. Preparing the strawberry jelly:
- Blend the strawberries in a food processor until you obtain a fine puree.
- Place the strawberry puree in a saucepan on the stove, add the sugar and lemon juice. Boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the hydrated gelatin and mix well until it completely dissolves. Let the composition cool.

3. Preparing the chocolate cream:
- In a heatproof bowl, combine the eggs with the sugar and place them over a steam bath. Beat the mixture for 5-7 minutes, until it doubles in volume and becomes creamy.
- Let the cream cool. Meanwhile, whip the cream until it becomes firm.
- Add the whipped cream to the cooled egg cream and gently mix to keep the air from the cream.
- Divide the cream into two equal parts. In one of them, add the melted dark chocolate and half of the melted gelatin. Mix well.

4. Assembling the dessert:
- Pour the chocolate cream over the biscuit base in the refrigerator and level it. Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, pour the strawberry jelly over the chocolate cream. Add the orange liqueur and the remaining melted gelatin to the remaining cream, mixing well.
- Pour this composition over the strawberry jelly and level it.
- Place whole cookies on top, covering the entire surface of the pan. Put the dessert in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until it completely sets.

5. Finalizing and decorating:
- Once cooled, remove the dessert from the mold and carefully turn it onto a platter.
- Pour the melted dark chocolate over the dessert and decorate with whipped cream and white chocolate, letting your imagination run wild.
- Serve this delicious dessert and enjoy the reactions of your loved ones!

Useful tips:
- You can replace strawberries with other berries, such as raspberries or blackberries, for an interesting variation.
- Make sure the gelatin is well hydrated before adding it to the mixtures to avoid lumps.
- If you prefer a more intense flavor, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the chocolate cream.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use another type of cookies?
Yes, any type of digestive cookies or cocoa cookies can be used. Choose what you prefer!

- How can I make the dessert less sweet?
Reduce the amount of sugar in the jelly and in the chocolate cream, adjusting to your taste.

- Is it possible to make the dessert without alcohol?
Certainly! You can omit the orange liqueur or use freshly squeezed orange juice instead.

Nutritional benefits:
This dessert offers a mix of nutrients, thanks to the strawberries rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as the nuts, which contain healthy fats. Dark chocolate is also a good source of antioxidants, contributing to a balanced diet.

I wish you much success in preparing this delicious dessert with chocolate and strawberries! Whether it’s for a special occasion or to treat yourself, it will surely be a hit!

 Ingredients: COOKIE BASE: 140 g biscuits (I used petit beurre) 100 g nuts or peanuts 100 g butter 100 g white chocolate JELLY: 200 g strawberries 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 5 g gelatin hydrated in 2 tablespoons of water CHOCOLATE CREAM: 3 whole eggs 6 tablespoons sugar 250 ml whipped cream 100 g dark chocolate 4 tablespoons orange liqueur 10 g gelatin hydrated in 4 tablespoons of water FOR DECORATION: 200 ml whipped cream 300 g dark chocolate 50 g white chocolate

 Tags:  desert strawberries chocolate