Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TWD - Coconut-Roasted Pineapple Dacquoise


This week's Tuesday with Dorie recipe is the Coconut-Roasted Pineapple Dacquoise, chosen by Andrea of Andrea in the Kitchen. It is three layers of meringue (the dacquoise) sandwiched together with white chocolate ganache and layered with roasted pineapple.

Once again, this is a dish that I would not have chosen of my own accord, as I was skeptical about the flavours (pineapple desserts never call "eat me!" at my house). However, I enjoyed the melded flavours of the finished product.

I made a few tweaks here and there to the recipe. I ended up with not quite enough pineapple by about 3 wedges, as I only bought half a pineapple. I also made dacquoise layers that were slightly thinner than recommended by Dorie, as neither my baking trays or oven would take two layers side by side measuring 6 inches across. Because I don't have a broiler, I just roasted my pineapple in the oven for around 20 minutes, and I sprinkled it with granulated sugar because I was out of icing sugar (having used it all in the dacquoise). I also used 2/3 light cream and 1/3 heavy cream in the ganache, which meant that it perhaps did not become as stable as it should have. However, I was happy enough with the result.

Here is one of my dacquoise layers:


and the roasted pineapple:


plus the toasted coconut (which was toastier than I intended because I wasn't paying attention, but it smelt delicious):


and the white chocolate ganache:



which components are layered like so:



to produce the coconut-roasted pineapple dacquoise featured at the top of this post.

This was rather a marathon dessert to make, with the meringue layers taking 3 hours to bake at very low temperature, the ganache taking 3 hours to set, and the assembled cake needing 4-6 hours to set. For this reason, I am unlikely to make this again. However, I did learn the finer points of cutting up a pineapple (which I have never done before).

If you plan to make this dacquoise, you will need to start early in the day, or make the meringue layers and ganache one day and finish it the next. Do leave the finished dessert in the fridge for the specified time, because it allows the layers to soften and meld together so that you can truly appreciate the combination of flavours.

Thanks to Andrea for being our host this week. You can check out what everyone else thought of this dessert by checking out the
Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll.

27 comments:

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm not much into pineapple desserts either.

Marjie said...

This looks wonderful, although I don't know if I would have tried it, given that it has to sit. Yours is very pretty!

Tammy said...

I really enjoyed this too even though I probably wouldnt have made it otherwise.

Cakelaw said...

Hi Duckie, it never sings to me - other than in frangipani pie.

Thanks Marjie!

Hi Tammy, it's one of the best things about TWD - going outside my usual choices.

Anonymous said...

I loved it! But I agree, it took a long time.

Unknown said...

Your dacquoise looks marvelous! It really is a very elegant dessert but quite a time investment. I just started making mine tonight so I'll be posting late tomorrow :)

Leslie said...

What a great looking dacquoise! This one was so good, but I'm with you, I never would have picked this out on my own.

Emily said...

Lovely! I love that pineapple-coconut combination.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Oooh great idea! I love the idea of having some tropical-reminds me of holidays :D

Finla said...

Wow tha tlooks sop ream delcious cake.

Cakelaw said...

Hi Wendy, I was pleasantly surprised by the end result, but consider this to be in the "special occasion" category.

Hi Tracey, looking forward to seeing the end result.

Thanks Leslie - it was definitely fun to make, despite the time investment.

Thanks Em - another very summery combination.

LOL Lorraine - if only I could be somewhere tropical now ...

Thanks Happy Cook.

Hindy said...

A marathon - well said! for all the work, not a favourite with my family.
Glad you enjoyed!

Gloria Baker said...

Cakelaw this look absolutely wonderful and yummy!!! Love it! xGloria

Kayte said...

Oh, that looks really good...how did your get that coconut so evenly toasted, from the photo it looks perfect. I would sit down with you and eat some of this anytime anywhere...looks great.

Chibog in Chief said...

This is so tempting!! Dacquiose cake with coconut roasted pineapple, I feel like I'm in heaven!

Cathy said...

The finished product and the component parts all look delicious. I skipped this week because the recipe intimidated me and the flavors didn't really call my name - but after seeing yours I'm kind of regretting that decision!

chocolatechic said...

I love extra toasty coconut.

foodcreate said...

Wonderful! Cake combination looks soooo Good!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe:)

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Soy*Baby said...

It looks wonderful. I thought it was one of the better desserts I've made so far. It was quite a project though.

Anonymous said...

Your dacquoise looks really nice! I wish mine turned out as high as yours did! Coconut definitely doesn't call out to me but as it turns out, I kind of liked it!

Cakelaw said...

Hi Clivia, at least you made it and know you know.

Thanks Gloria.

Thanks Kayte :)

Hi Dhanggit, I liked this combination more than I imagined I would.

Hi Cathy, for a special occasion perhaps - it is a lot of work, and it sounds as if you and the kids are having lots of fun right now while they are on holidays.

LOL - glad to hear it Tanya.

Thanks Foodcreate.

Hi Kim, yes, quite a project, but I was pleasantly surprised by the result.

Hi LA, good to hear - I think that's the great thiong about TWD - we all learn things that surprise us.

Teanna said...

It looks gorgeous! I am not much a fan of pineapple either, but this was a tasty dessert!

TeaLady said...

That looks really tasty. Pineapple is a favorite around here so this is on my to do list for when it is not 150 degrees outside. **SIGH**

Snooky doodle said...

this looks delicious, I m dreaming od the tropics :)

Cakelaw said...

Hi Teanna, agreed. Not what I'd normally go for, but I enjoyed it.

Hi Tealady, completely understand - it's cool here, so it warms the house :)

Thanks Snooky Doodle - wouldn't I like to be on a banana lounge with a long cool drink myself right now ...

Mermaid Sews said...

Sorry I have been MIA, I have been so busy, but it has made me feel so bad not to have time to comment. Nicely done - good job, I was too busy and tooo afraid of this one.

♥Rosie♥ said...

That looks really tasty and I do like pineapple - yum!