6/8/10

strawberry puff pastry w/ white chocolate ganache


I know I just posted a post on strawberry shortcake BUT let me explain. Remember when I did the devil's food cake with crunchy cream cheese-peanut butter filling & chocolate ganache? And then did a 'white' version or as I like to call his evil twin? Well I did the same thing here. After doing a decadent strawberry shortcake with chocolate ganache and fresh whipped cream I just had to make one with white chocolate ganache. Ok, and the other reason is I love strawberry shortcake a little too much and wanted to mix it up a notch by using a puff pastry this time. Puff pastry goes really well as a base for strawberry shortcake? You knew this right? Good. Because to honest I hadn't used puff pastry for strawberry shortcake.... yet. Why did I this time? Well, it was 90 degrees outside with 5000% humidity, and the last thing I wanted to do was roll dough out, sweat off 10 pounds, wait for it to bake (and bake while the oven was on) and then have dishes to wash. So I used those little frozen puff pastry cups, baked them for 15 minutes and voila we have fancy schmancy shortcakes.
The whipped cream looks like crap because it was 5000% humidity and the whipping cream wasn't cooperating. Well, OK I forgot to chill the bowl and beaters before whipping the cream, I know BAD girl bad. So please excuse my crappy whipped cream in the photo.
No money shot this time as I had hungry people waiting impatiently to devour this.

To make this strawberry shortcake:
print recipe

for the strawberries:
½ pound strawberries, washed, hulled & chopped
2 TB white sugar
1 TB fresh lemon juice
a splash or two of pure vanilla extract (champagne is good too)
It’s best to get the strawberries done first as you want them to sit for a while at room temp before serving. I like to let mine sit for at least an hour or two before serving (room temp).

white chocolate ganache:
by dawn
a small saucepan or double boiler
14 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
½ cup heavy cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
1-2 TB butter

(you can halve this recipe as this makes a lot). Melt white chocolate, heavy cream, and extract over a double boiler. Do not boil. You need to stir this A LOT. It will take a long time before it gets to a thick consistency. Now if you want a little bit of shine to your Ganache add some butter into it just after you take it off the heat. When it’s melted then add butter and take off heat immediately. Stir to combine butter completely. Keep stirring. And stirring. I like to let my Ganache sit a bit before using; the longer it sits the thicker it gets.

whipped cream:
place your whipping bowl and the beaters in the freezer at least ½ hour before using. This is good for keeping the whipped cream nice and cold.
I use about ½ cup of whipping cream, beat till almost whipped, then add in a couple splashes of pure vanilla extract, then resume whipping till done.

to assemble:
take a baked puff pastry cup, fill with marinated strawberries, then top with the warm chocolate ganache, then top with the freshly whipped cream, then devour! The puff pastry cups do not keep well overnight, so it's best to eat them right up, but I think you have no problems with that.

40 comments:

  1. Yes, you are right - this is the evil twin! I don't even have words. Except that I need it.

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  2. Man, I love these easy, quick to assemble recipes....the white chocolate ganache has my attention seriously!!

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  3. I have never thought to make a strawberry shortcake version with puff pastry. Since my new memo to myself is to always have puff pastry un the freezer this could be madesometime soon:D

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  4. I love strawberry shortcakes too. This looks delicious especially with the white chocolate ganache.

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  5. It's official, you're strawberry shortcake obsessed. Do we need to send you to shortcake rehab now?

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  6. I love your evil twin versions of things. I am such a white chocolate lover and that ganache sounds downright dreamy!

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  7. You've done it again! Your recipe creations are always so great!

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  8. ha, 5000% humidity... summer can definitely change things when it comes to baking and desserts

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  9. mmmmm you and your delicious desserts. I didn't know you were supposed to chill the beaters too! Totally trying that <3 ya!

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  10. A decadent little dessert for little me. :)

    strawberries, ganache, pastry puff, simple and yet it looks to elegant.

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  11. Oh wow! This both sounds and looks divine! I'm sold :) This is a must make!

    xxMK
    Delightful Bitefuls

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  12. simply delicious ....

    kisses

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  13. What a great idea to make a strawberry shortcake with puff pastry! The white chocolate ganache sounds amazing!

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  14. That is gorgeous! White chocolate ganache? I've never had the pleasure! It looks amazing.

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  15. Fantastic summer dessert!

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  16. This looks awesome! I'm a huge fan of white chocolate ganache.

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  17. Good idea- I have some puff in my fridge right now. Now all I need are some strawberries.

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  18. The white chocolate ganache looks like a cloud of heaven. Heck, why would one ever want to eat a plain strawberry when one could enjoy the berry all adorned like this? I'd pick your shortcake any day. ;)

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  19. mmmmmmmmm perfect dessert for this time of year

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  20. let's be honest--puff pastry goes well as a base for ANYTHING. inspired creation, dawn. i have my doubts that the white chocolate ganache would actually make it to the dessert, but i suppose i could try to hold off drinking it. :)

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  21. Pass that plate and nodoby gets hurt!

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  22. Ia delicious!! and very easy.

    :D

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  23. ooo white chocolate ganache...yum

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  24. The whipped cream looks fine to me. bring it! Another great dessert by you you you.

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  25. wow i love strawberry its nice even it is the season of strawberry here.
    Need to try this.

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  26. wow - i have made stuff with those puffed pastry cups before so i feel like i can ALMOST makes something on your blog too!

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  27. I'm in love with your "tower of strawberry power"! ;)nil

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  28. If it's good, you can't go wrong. Make it over and over again in a variety of ways. Yay for you and your 2 chapters!

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  29. This looks like a dream with the white ganache! Totally delicious!

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  30. It does look fancy in that puff pastry

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  31. I could eat something like this every day, so keep them coming!!!

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  32. I'm lovin' the idea of chocolate ganache drizzle on those strawberries! Yum!

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  33. Wow. I think Id like it better with the puff pastry. It looks fantastic!

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  34. Those little puff pastry shells make everything so easy and your white chocolate ganache sounds divine!

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  35. I'd be impatient to eat that too, it looks wicked good!

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  36. Great idea on the puff pastry. I would never have thought of that. I actually have never really "gotten" shortcakes - too dry and boring for me. I will totally try this!

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  37. Your puff pastry looks amazing! Almost too good to eat.

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  38. This looks OUT of this WORLD. Just in time for strawberry season. Yum!!!

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  39. Congrats on your cookbook! I will order my copy soon. Now, this dessert looks incredible!

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  40. 2 chapters?? How did that happen? Congratulations :) This looks really delicious!

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