Chinese Islamic Croquembouche

Ingredients

In this Chinese Islamic adaptation of the classic French croquembouche, the traditional pastry cream filling is replaced with a rich mixture of dates, almonds, and fragrant spices. The honey syrup is infused with rosewater and saffron, adding a distinct Chinese Islamic touch to the dessert. Additionally, the profiteroles are adorned with edible gold leaf, a symbol of prosperity and celebration in Chinese Islamic culture. We alse have the original recipe for Croquembouche, so you can check it out.

• For the profiteroles: For the profiteroles:
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 1 cup (200g) pitted dates, finely chopped 1 cup (200g) pitted dates, finely chopped
• 1 cup (120g) almonds, finely chopped 1 cup (120g) almonds, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• For the honey syrup: For the honey syrup:
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon rosewater 1 teaspoon rosewater
• A pinch of saffron strands A pinch of saffron strands
• For decoration: For decoration:
• Edible gold leaf Edible gold leaf

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 28g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt for the profiteroles. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. 4.
   Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
5. 5.
   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy.
6. 6.
   Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
7. 7.
   Pipe small mounds of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. 8.
   Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the profiteroles are golden brown and puffed.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
10. 10.
11. 11.
    In a bowl, combine the chopped dates, almonds, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger for the filling. Mix well.
12. 12.
    Cut a small slit in the side of each profiterole and fill them with the date and almond mixture using a piping bag or a small spoon.
13. 13.
14. 14.
    For the honey syrup, combine water, sugar, honey, rosewater, and saffron in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5 minutes until the syrup thickens slightly.
15. 15.
    Dip the bottom of each filled profiterole into the honey syrup and stack them in a pyramid shape on a serving platter.
16. 16.
17. 17.
    Drizzle the remaining honey syrup over the profiteroles, allowing it to cascade down the sides of the tower.
18. 18.
19. 19.
    Decorate the Chinese Islamic Croquembouche with edible gold leaf for an elegant touch.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dates — Make sure to finely chop the dates to ensure a smooth filling.
• Almonds — Finely chop the almonds to achieve a desirable texture for the filling.
• Saffron — Soak the saffron strands in a tablespoon of warm water for a few minutes before adding them to the honey syrup to enhance their flavor and color.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve perfectly puffed profiteroles, avoid opening the oven door while they are baking.
• If you prefer a stronger rosewater flavor, you can increase the amount according to your taste.
• For a touch of crunch, you can sprinkle some crushed pistachios over the Chinese Islamic Croquembouche before serving.
• If you don't have edible gold leaf, you can use edible gold dust to dust the profiteroles for a similar effect.
• To save time, you can prepare the profiteroles and filling in advance, assembling the Chinese Islamic Croquembouche just before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Chinese Islamic Croquembouche as a centerpiece dessert for special occasions or festive gatherings. To serve, carefully break off the filled profiteroles from the tower and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures.

Presentation advice

Present the Chinese Islamic Croquembouche on a decorative platter, allowing the golden tower to take center stage. Garnish the platter with fresh rose petals or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.