This is a very decadent dessert, a small piece of which served with a good chilled sweet wine will bring about a beautiful end to your festive dinner!
I used a spoon sweet of soured cherries that you can buy online (I love it over yogurt or ice cream) but you can use dried soured cherries which you soak for 15 minutes in brandy to soften or maraschino cherries.
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 300g white chocolate
- 150ml double cream
- 150g mascarpone cheese
- 50g amaretti biscuits
- 50g soured cherries or other dried fruit
- 3 tbsp brandy
- 25g roasted almonds, chopped
- 25g pistachio nibs or whole pistachios chopped
Method
Line a small tin 20 x 10 cm with double clingfilm, leaving it to overhang.
If you are using dried cherries, put them and the brandy in a small bowl for 15-30 minutes. If you are using the soured cherry spoon sweet, then use the brandy to dip the amaretti biscuits briefly.
Put the chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl and melt in a bain marie. Once melted, and cream and chocolate are fully incorporated, whisk every minute or so while it is cooling. Add the mascarpone and whisk to fully incorporate that. Add the amaretti biscuits, cherries and nuts and mix.
Spoon all the mix into the lined tin and tap it gently on the counter top. Use the overhanging clingfilm to cover the dessert and leave in the fridge overnight. You may store in the freezer for up to a month. Transfer to your fridge a couple of hours before serving.
Remove the plastic wrap, turn upside down on a platter, slice and serve with more cherries in syrup on the side.