bohemianwanderer – This grilled cherry and baklava sundae combines charred fruit, vanilla ice cream, crisp pastry, and a rich cherry syrup.
The dessert takes five minutes to prepare and around 30 minutes to cook. It also requires at least one hour of chilling before serving.
The recipe serves four people and uses 500g of pitted cherries. Pistachio baklava works particularly well because its nutty flavour complements the cherries and ice cream.
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Begin by preparing the cherry syrup. Combine 300ml of cherry juice, one tablespoon of caster sugar, and one tablespoon of lemon juice.
Place the mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the liquid to a simmer while stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
Allow the mixture to bubble gently for approximately 10 minutes. This process concentrates the cherry flavour while creating a sweeter base for the dessert.
Meanwhile, prepare a cornflour slurry using one tablespoon of cornflour and one tablespoon of cold water. Stir the mixture until it forms a smooth liquid.
Whisk the cornflour slurry into the simmering cherry mixture. Continue stirring until the syrup thickens.
Bring the mixture back to a simmer and cook for another two minutes. This allows the cornflour to fully thicken the syrup.
Remove the saucepan from the heat once the syrup reaches the desired consistency. Leave it to cool before transferring it to the refrigerator.
Chill the cherry syrup thoroughly for at least one hour. The cold syrup will provide a refreshing contrast to the warm grilled cherries and creamy ice cream.
When ready to assemble the dessert, prepare the cherries for grilling. Thread the 500g of pitted cherries onto small skewers.
Heat the grill directly over hot coals. Place the cherry skewers over the coals and grill the fruit for approximately five minutes on each side.
Continue cooking until the cherries develop light char marks. The grilling process adds a subtle smoky flavour while intensifying the fruit’s natural sweetness.
Remove the cherries from the grill once lightly charred. Allow them to cool slightly before assembling the sundaes.
Layered Cherry Sundaes Combine Grilled Fruit, Ice Cream and Baklava
Prepare four sundae glasses for serving. Begin layering the grilled cherries with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Add pieces of baklava between the layers. The crisp pastry provides a contrasting texture against the soft cherries and creamy ice cream.
Use eight pieces of baklava in total, with two pieces allocated to each serving. Pistachio baklava is particularly suitable for this combination.
Add four spoonfuls of clotted cream if desired. The cream provides additional richness and creates a more indulgent dessert.
Continue layering the ingredients until each sundae glass contains a balanced combination of fruit, ice cream, pastry, and syrup.
Drizzle the chilled cherry syrup over the layers. The syrup adds concentrated fruit flavour while bringing the individual components together.
Finish each serving with finely chopped pistachios. A small handful of shelled pistachios is enough to garnish all four portions.
The pistachios add a light crunch and reinforce the nutty flavour of the baklava. They also provide a contrast to the softer ingredients.
Serve the sundaes immediately after assembling them. This keeps the ice cream cold while the grilled cherries retain some of their warmth.
The dessert balances several contrasting flavours and textures in a single serving. Sweet cherries provide the main fruit character, while lemon adds brightness to the syrup.
Vanilla ice cream contributes a smooth and creamy element. Baklava adds crisp pastry, sweetness, and the distinctive flavour of pistachios.
Clotted cream can make the dessert richer when included. The chilled cherry syrup then provides a bright fruit component that cuts through the creaminess.
Grilling the cherries gives the dessert an additional layer of flavour. Light charring introduces smoky notes without overpowering the natural character of the fruit.
The recipe can also be prepared in advance by making the syrup and chilling it before serving. The cherries should be grilled closer to serving time for the best texture.
With simple preparation and a relatively short cooking process, the dessert offers an easy way to elevate fresh cherries. The combination of grilled fruit, cold ice cream, baklava, and cherry syrup creates an indulgent finish to a meal.
