Dive into the extravagance of the Cotton Candy Flambé Surprise, a dessert that combines the sweet tanginess of raspberry with the theatrical flair of a flambé. This dessert features a light raspberry cake topped with raspberry sorbet, wrapped in fluffy marshmallow fluff, and crowned with scorched cotton candy, creating a show-stopping presentation and an unforgettable taste experience.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- Cake Flour: 2 1/3 cups
- Baking Powder: 3/4 tablespoon
- Salt: 3/4 teaspoon
- Butter: 1 1/2 cups, softened
- Sugar: 1 cup, divided
- Vanilla Extract: 1/2 tablespoon
- Whole Milk: 1 cup
- Egg Whites: 8
- Raspberries: for garnish
Assembly:
- Raspberry Sorbet
- Marshmallow Fluff
- Raspberry-flavored Cotton Candy
- Brandy: 2 tablespoons (for flambé)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Butter a 9×13-inch cake pan and line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients alternately with milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Assemble the Dessert:
- Once the cake is cooled, top with scoops of raspberry sorbet.
- Cover each scoop with marshmallow fluff.
- Wrap the sorbet and fluff-topped cake in raspberry-flavored cotton candy.
- Just before serving, drizzle with brandy and carefully light it to flambé.
- Serving:
- Serve immediately after the flambé effect, garnished with fresh raspberries.
Tips
- Fluffy Egg Whites: Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for maximum volume when beaten to stiff peaks.
- Flambé Safety: When lighting the brandy, do so in a controlled environment and keep a fire extinguisher nearby as a precaution.
- Serving Immediately: The flambé element is not only a dramatic presentation but also introduces a delightful caramelized flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the full effect.
FAQs
- Can I prepare parts of this dessert in advance?
- Yes, the cake can be baked ahead of time and assembled with the sorbet and fluff shortly before serving.
- What alternatives can I use if I can’t find raspberry-flavored cotton candy?
- You can use plain cotton candy and infuse it with raspberry extract or use food coloring to match the desired color.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking, Flambé
Cuisine: Fusion
Conclusion
The Cotton Candy Flambé Surprise is not just a dessert; it’s an experience. Perfect for making a statement at celebrations, this dessert combines sweet and tangy flavors with a dramatic presentation, ensuring it will be the highlight of any dining occasion. Delight your guests with this unique and visually stunning dessert that tastes just as incredible as it looks.