Cherry Karpatka

Directions

  1. 1Cut the pitted cherries in half.
  2. 2Put the pitted cherries in a pan.
  3. 3Add sugar to the cherries.
  4. 4Add water to the cherries.
  5. 5Stir the cherries with a spatula.
  6. 6Cover the pan with a lid.
  7. 7Bring the cherries to a boil.
  8. 8In a small bowl, add cornstarch.
  9. 9Squeeze lemon juice into the cornstarch.
  10. 10Mix the cornstarch and lemon juice until it forms a slurry.
  11. 11Pour the slurry into the boiling cherries.
  12. 12Stir until the cherry mixture thickens.
  13. 13Add water, sugar and salt to a pan.
  14. 14Add butter to the pan.
  15. 15Bring the mixture to a boil.
  16. 16Add flour to the pan.
  17. 17Stir until it forms a smooth, thick ball.
  18. 18Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
  19. 19Add eggs one at a time to the mixture.
  20. 20Mix until smooth and glossy.
  21. 21Spread the choux pastry into a tin.
  22. 22Mess it up a little bit and let it go wild in the oven.
  23. 23Take out the choux pastry from the oven.
  24. 24Put the base or the top of your Karpatka in a bowl.
  25. 25In a bowl, add the custard and milk.
  26. 26Add sugar to the mixture.
  27. 27Add butter and milk to the mixture.
  28. 28Whisk the mixture until it becomes a rich cream.
  29. 29Pour the cream onto a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
  30. 30Chill the cream in the fridge.
  31. 31Once set, beat the cream until smooth and glossy.
  32. 32Add whipped cream to the rich cream.
  33. 33Mix it until it gives it structure.
  34. 34Pile in the rich cream onto the baked choux pastry in the tin.
  35. 35Add the glossy cherries on top of the cream.
  36. 36Add another layer of rich cream on top of the cherries.
  37. 37Turn the choux lid right side up then place it on top of the cream.
  38. 38Press it down gently to adhere.
  39. 39Dust with powdered sugar.

Ingredients

  • pitted cherries
  • sugar
  • lemon juice
  • cornstarch
  • butter
  • water
  • salt
  • eggs
  • whipped cream
  • powdered sugar

Equipment

knifechopping boardsaucepanwhiskplatebowlspatulatinovencooling rack

Tips

  • Just let the pitted cherries bubble with a bit of sugar
  • Make a slurry with the lemon juice and cornstarch and as soon as it thickens, you're done
  • Stir the roux until it forms a smooth, thick ball
  • Add the eggs in one at a time to the roux
  • Spread the choux pastry into your tin, mess it up a little bit and let it go wild in the oven
  • Because the butter is melted directly into the cream, it stays soft and luscious even straight from the fridge
  • Once it's set, it's going to be like a jelly so you need to beat it until it's smooth and glossy
  • A little bit of whipped cream at the end just gives the cream structure
  • Turn the choux lid right side up then place on top of the cream, press it down gently to adhere