Bavarian Delight

Ingredients

• 4 cups (946ml) whole milk 4 cups (946ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 6 large egg yolks 6 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon agar-agar powder 1 tablespoon agar-agar powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon rum extract 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
• 2 cups (473ml) heavy cream 2 cups (473ml) heavy cream
• Whipped cream and cocoa powder for garnish Whipped cream and cocoa powder for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 24g, 14g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 36g, 28g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and agar-agar powder until well combined.
3. 3.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
4. 4.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
5. 5.
   Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and rum extract.
6. 6.
   Transfer the custard to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap touches the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming.
7. 7.
   Allow the custard to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled.
8. 8.
   In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
9. 9.
   Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled custard until well combined.
10. 10.
    Pour the Bavarian Delight into individual serving dishes or a large serving bowl.
11. 11.
    Refrigerate for an additional 2 hours, or until set.
12. 12.
    Serve chilled, garnished with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Agar-agar — Ensure that you dissolve the agar-agar powder in a small amount of water before adding it to the custard mixture. This will help it set properly and give the Bavarian Delight its desired texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense vanilla flavor, you can use a vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract. Simply split the bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds, then add both the seeds and the pod to the milk while heating.
• To achieve a smoother texture, strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve before chilling.
• For a boozy twist, you can substitute the rum extract with actual rum. Add 1-2 tablespoons of rum to the custard mixture while it's still warm.

Serving advice

Serve the Bavarian Delight chilled to fully appreciate its creamy and delicate texture. Pair it with a crisp biscotti or a buttery shortbread cookie for a delightful contrast in textures.

Presentation advice

When serving the Bavarian Delight, use elegant glass dessert bowls or ramekins to showcase its smooth and luxurious appearance. Top each serving with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder for an enticing presentation.