Christmas Madeleine Cherry Chocolate Pudding

With Christmas fast approaching it seemed only fitting to blog about a festive dessert which could be an alternative to the more traditional Christmas Pudding, or maybe could be served along side it on the BIG day. This Christmas Madeleine Cherry Chocolate Pudding is actually one based on a Zuccotto recipe which usually involves panettone, and is a dessert that I have made a few times over the years and is delicious! So this is a French/Italian/ German/English fusion dessert for sure!

When I was invited by Bonne Mamam to devise a recipe using their Madeleines I was toying between a trifle or making this Zuccotto inspired pudding. I am actually even more pleased I went with this recipe because Helen has made an amazing Cranberry, Clementine & Cointreau Trifle using them so be sure to check that beauty out! Anyway, I went with my non trifle recipe and I added my own touches to make it more festive in appearance, and I think it would be a real crowd pleaser if this was brought out at any festive party or meal over Christmas.

 

So to being with you need to line a large pyrex bowl with cling film, and then taking your madeleines, layer them along the bottom and the sides, and then fill in the gaps as best you can, by cutting up a Madeleine or two. I layered mine so that the shell like part of the cake would be on show once it was turned out of the bowl.

 

I brushed the Madeleines with some kirsch to add some moisture and flavour to the sponges

The next job, is to make your two different coloured and flavoured ricotta cheese fillings. 

Then pour one into the cake bowl – I added the chocolate one first but it is up to you which one you use. Now do not be alarmed, it will look full at this point but it does all fit in – just! Once all the chocolately ricotta cheese is in, cover with some more Madeleines, filling in any gaps and then cover with some more kirsch. Then top with the white ricotta cheese filling and smooth over the top and then cover with the remaining Madeleines, and wrap the cling film over the top.

This recipe does call for a lot of Madeleines – I used 5 bags which means 35 individual cakes were used.

Now you need to place a side plate over the top of the bowl, and place some heavy weights on the top to flatten it down (I use a couple of tins), and place in the fridge over night to set.

The next day, turn the dessert out onto a serving plate and remove the bowl and cling film, and it looks like this

Now you could serve this pudding as it is, maybe dust the top with some cocoa powder or icing sugar and top with some cherries. BUT I wanted to take this pudding another step into festiveness, and make it look like an actual Christmas pudding. So I simply melted some milk chocolate and covered the entire pudding with it, waited for it to set and then I melted some white chocolate to top the dessert with and topped it off with a place cherry and some holly

Once cut, you can really see the layers inside with the different filling flavours and colours

It is prone to collapsing a little but but luckily the Madeleines do remain firm so it comes out quite well actually

It tastes lovely and you do not need a lot as it is quite rich, but the ricotta cheese filling helps it to not be too sickly. 

So if you fancy giving this Christmas Madeleine Cherry Chocolate Pudding a try for Christmas, then here is the recipe and method

 

YUMMY!

For another fun festive dessert idea using these Madeleines please check this recipe out by Rebecca for a Reindeer Pound Cake 

This post was created in collaboration Bonne Mamam to create a festive dessert using their madeleines

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Last week we had some delicious bakes linked up thank you to those who joined in. It was hard picking a favourite because i LOVED all of them! However, in the end I am going to pick as my favourite of the recipes- this gorgeous syrup sponge pudding made in the slow cooker from Lucy – it just looks delicious and comforting. Perfect dessert for this time of year.

Thank you also to:

Louise for this delightful Pic’n’Mix Cake
Anca for these fun Gingerbread Biscuits
Angela for these cute Cookie Monster Cupcakes
Kate for these gorgeous GF Jamaican Ginger Cake
Connie’s Salted caramel cupcakes with a salted caramel buttercream
Jacqueline’s Special Fruit and Nut Cake

Please pop over to Helen’s blog for this weeks Bake of the Week linky, to link up your bakes.