Cassis Bonbon Sandwich Recipes

PEPPERMINT BONBONS

Steps:

• In a large pot set over medium heat, add the cream, sugar, sorbitol, inverted sugar, dextrose, peppermint and vanilla seeds, and cook until a candy thermometer inserted in the pot reads 113 degrees F. Cool the mixture to 95 degrees F.
• In a separate pot, heat the butter, dark chocolate and milk chocolate to melt, then cool the chocolate to 86 degrees F. Using an electric hand mixer, blend the chocolate with a little of the cream mixture. Slowly mix in the remaining cream mixture. Cool to 82 degrees F, then pipe into the bonbon molds and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

CASSIS BONBON SANDWICH

Steps:

• Line a half sheet pan with a silicone baking mat.
• Bring the cassis puree to a boil in a pot, continuously stirring to prevent scorching. Combine 110 grams of the sugar with the pectin using a whisk, add to the fruit puree and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1000 grams sugar to the fruit puree in three or four batches, continually whisking. Then add the glucose syrup. Continue to cook, whisking, until a candy thermometer inserted in the mixture reaches 225 degrees F. Then whisk in the citric acid. Quickly pour the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan and cool the mixture completely in the refrigerator.
• Cut the fruit pate into 2-by-6-inch strips and sandwich between two chocolate bars to serve.

CASSIS STICKS

Steps:

• Combine the water and sugar in a nonreactive medium-size saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and add the cassis. Stir gently to combine and remove from the heat. Pour the mixture into a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan or a rectangular shallow dish about the same size; it should make a layer about V2 inch thick. Place in the freezer until solid, about 2 hours. (At this stage, the mixture can be stored in the freezer, well wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to three weeks.)
• To unmold, dip the pan in hot water for about 5 seconds. Run a sharp paring knife around the edges to loosen the sides of the frozen mixture from the pan. Center a small cutting board over the pan and flip over the board and pan at the same time so the pan is on top. Lift the pan. If the pan does not come off, you will need to dip it in water again. Use a serrated knife to cut the frozen mixture into l/2-inch-wide strips about 3 inches long (or to fit in the glass you are using). Place one cassis stick in each glass and add Champagne. As the cassis sticks melt, they add a delightful fruity flavor to the Champagne.