Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe

Mary Reporting. I think Charlotte Russe holds the top position in the pantheon of Southern desserts because my grandmothers made it only twice a year—Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For months, I’d look forward to this traditional confection of whipping cream, eggs and sugar that’s lighter than ice cream, but richer in taste. Charlotte Russe on the table twice in little more than a month was heaven.

The dessert was invented by Marie-Antoine Careme (1784-1833), the famous French chef who worked for several kings and countries. Careme’s confection of sponge cake and Bavarian cream was said to honor Charlotte, the only child of his one-time employer, the Prince Regent, later George IV of England. Later when Careme cooked for Czar Alexander I, he changed the name of the dish from Charlotte a la Parisienne to Charlotte Russe, to honor that monarch as well.

No doubt French settlers brought the dessert to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, using the name Charlotte Russe. The English Colonists enjoyed something similar. The Williamsburg Art of Cookery, published in 1742, offers ingredients for Delicate Pudding, which is Charlotte Russe minus the sponge cake.

In old cookbooks I’ve found versions made with a custard of egg yolks, milk and sugar to which gelatin and whipped cream were added. I’ve seen others made of whipped egg whites and sugar to which gelatin and whipped cream were added. The Creole Cookery Book, published in New Orleans in 1885, called for the custard preparation. Miss Parloa’s New Cook Book, published in Boston in 1888, combined custard, beaten egg whites, gelatin and whipped cream.

Both my grandmothers learned to make their Charlotte Russe that way, which makes for a lengthy process. One Christmas when our preparations were running  behind schedule, Grandy confessed she knew a shortcut that involved just egg whites, gelatin and whipped cream. My sister and I promised we’d never tell a soul. As usual, all the dinner guests raved over the dessert.

I’m including both recipes, but I confess I use the simpler one most of the time and add sherry to taste.

Traditional Charlotte Russe

INGREDIENTS:

1 package lady fingers

2 pints whipping cream

2 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin

3 eggs*

2 cups milk

6 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon almond extract

Maraschino cherries for garnish

For an adult dessert, add 2 to 3 tablespoons dry sherry instead of vanilla and almond

STEP BY STEP:

1)      Separate eggs. Put whites aside. Beat yolks and 2 tablespoons sugar.

2)      Heat milk in double boiler.

3)      In a small bowl, wet gelatin, then dissolve in about ¼ cup boiling water. Set in a larger bowl of ice water and stir constantly so gelatin does not lump as it cools.

4)      Add egg yolks to warmed milk in double boiler.

5)      Strain gelatin and add to double boiler.

6)      Cook until the custard begins to thicken.

7)      Remove from heat. Cool.

8)      Whip cream in large bowl. When stiff, add two tablespoons sugar.

9)      Fold cooled custard into whipped cream.

10)   In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar.

11)   Fold beaten egg whites into whipped cream.

12)   Add flavorings.

13)   Pour into serving bowl lined with lady fingers. Garnish with maraschino cherries

14)   Chill for at least four hours before serving

*Egg whites are not cooked, so you may want to substitute powdered egg whites.

Easy Charlotte Russe

INGREDIENTS:

1 package lady fingers

1 envelope gelatin

1 pint whipping cream

½ cup boiling water

3 egg whites*

6 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons dry sherry

STEP BY STEP:

1)      In a small bowl, moisten gelatin in a little cold water.

2)      Add ½ cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve gelatin. Place in a larger bowl of ice water to cool it quickly. Stir to prevent lumps.

3)      Whip cream until stiff. Add 3 tablespoons sugar.

4)      Whip egg whites until stiff. Add 3 tablespoons sugar.

5)      Gently fold beaten egg whites into beaten cream.

6)      Strain cooled gelatin into mixture, folding it in well.

7)      Add sherry.

8)      Pour in bowl lined with lady fingers. Garnish with maraschino cheeries.

9)      Chill at least four hours before serving.

*Egg whites are not cooked, so you may want to substitute powdered egg whites.

If you were raised in New York, you may remember the Charlotte Russe sold in local bakeries. A single-serving in a paper push-up cup, it consisted of sponge cake topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Here’s a look at a bakery that still sells it this way. http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2012/02/5204436/lost-foods-new-york-city-charlotte-russe