Strawberry-basil velvet log
Ingredients for the sponge cake
- 4 eggs
- 120g sugar
- 120g T45 flour
- Vanilla extract
Ingredients for the strawberry compote
- 300g strawberry coulis
- 120g sugar
- 5 sheets gelatin (or 2g agar agar)
- 15g basil leaves (sweet, purple or dwarf)
- ½ lemon juice
Ingredients for the light vanilla mousse
- 240g liquid cream
- 1 vanilla pod
- 120g white chocolate
- 2 sheets gelatin
Ingredients for decoration
- Red velvet spray
- Basil leaves
- Flowers (Pansy, Phlox or Begonia)
- Sugar beads
Sponge cake preparation
- Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F)
- Separate egg whites and yolks
- Beat egg whites with sugar until stiff
- Beat the egg yolks and vanilla until white
- Gently fold the beaten yolks into the stiffly beaten egg whites
- Gradually and gently fold in the sifted flour
- Place your sponge cake mixture in a silicone cookie tin on a baking sheet. Using an angled spatula, spread the mixture over the surface of the mold
- Bake for approx. 15 min. Your sponge cake is ready when it is golden brown and firm to the touch
- Turn out onto a sheet of baking paper
Strawberry compote preparation
- Place gelatine in cold water for 10 minutes
- Heat the fruit coulis in a saucepan, add the sugar and lemon juice and stir
- As soon as the mixture begins to boil, remove from heat and add the gelatine
- Add the finely chopped basil
- Pour the compote into a shallow dish, in a 5 mm layer
- Chill for 4 hours
Light vanilla mousse preparation
- Bring 120g of cream to the boil with the vanilla pod split in 2
- Turn off the heat and leave the vanilla to infuse for 20 minutes
- Reheat, then add the drained gelatine and mix well
- Add the chopped white chocolate to make a ganache
- Whip the 120g of not-too-firm single cream and gently add to the ganache
Log assembly
- Cut out strips of sponge cake and compote
- Pour 2/3 of the vanilla mousse into the mold
- Insert a strip of compote, a strip of sponge cake and then the mousse, alternating until your mold is full
- Add the rest of the mousse on top and smooth with a spatula.
- Place your mold in the freezer overnight
- Turn out the frozen log and spray the entire surface with velvet spray
- Decorate with sugar pearls, basil leaves and edible flowers
- Optional: seal the ends with a slab of white chocolate
Enjoy!