Desserts Recipes - Cherry Japonaise Recipe

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 125 g/4 oz ground almonds

• 50 g/2 oz corn flour

• 150 g/5 oz caster sugar

• 3 egg whites

• 125 g/4 oz cream cheese

• 2 tablespoons black cherry jam

• 150 ml/1/4 pint double cream, whipped

• 250 g/8 oz cherries, pitted

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Method:

1. Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick paper and draw a 20 cm/8 inch circle on each piece. Mix together the ground almonds, corn flour and half the sugar.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff, then whisk in the remaining sugar. Carefully fold in the almond mixture.

3. Place half the mixture in a piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle and pipe a lattice design inside one circle of paper, then pipe a border around the edge. Spread the remaining mixture evenly over the second circle.

4. Bake in a preheated oven, 160°C (325°F), Gas Mark 3, for 25-30 minutes, until firm. Cool, then remove the paper carefully.

5. Beat the cheese and jam together until soft, then fold in the cream and two-thirds of the cherries. Place the japonaise base on a serving plate and spread with the cherry mixture.

6. Very carefully lay the lattice design on top and decorate with the reserved cherries.