Save Piste de Train Mignardises is a delightful journey into the world of classic French mini desserts, artfully arranged to mimic a charming train track. This whimsical assortment blends the elegance of choux pastry, the nuttiness of mini financiers, and the fresh burst of fruit tartlets, making it perfect for festive occasions, afternoon teas, or as a stunning dessert platter that will enchant your guests and spark conversation.
Save Each component of the Piste de Train Mignardises is thoughtfully crafted to complement the others, creating a harmonious balance of buttery, creamy, and fruity notes. The visual presentation mimics a winding train track with stops along the way, inviting guests to indulge in a bite-sized adventure.
Ingredients
- Choux Pastry: 60 ml water, 60 ml whole milk, 50 g unsalted butter (cubed), 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, pinch of salt, 70 g all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs
- Chocolate Ganache: 100 g dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa, chopped), 100 ml heavy cream
- Mini Financiers: 60 g unsalted butter, 50 g almond flour, 40 g icing sugar, 20 g all-purpose flour, pinch of salt, 2 large egg whites
- Fruit Tartlets: 100 g sweet shortcrust pastry (pâte sucrée), 80 ml pastry cream, 40 g assorted fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)
- Decoration: 20 g powdered sugar (for dusting), 1 tbsp edible gold leaf or silver pearls (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 2. For the choux pastry:
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add flour, and stir vigorously until a dough forms. Return to heat and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer to a bowl, let cool slightly, then beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
- 3. Pipe small rounds onto a baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until puffed and golden. Cool completely.
- 4. For chocolate ganache:
- Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate, let stand 1 minute, then stir until glossy and smooth. Cool to room temperature.
- 5. For mini financiers:
- Melt butter until golden brown (beurre noisette). Cool slightly. In a bowl, mix almond flour, icing sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Whisk in egg whites, then fold in browned butter. Spoon into mini financier molds or mini muffin tins. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
- 6. For tartlets:
- Roll out sweet shortcrust pastry and cut into small rounds. Press into mini tartlet molds. Prick bases, bake blind at 180°C (350°F) for 10–12 minutes. Cool, then fill with pastry cream and top with berries.
- 7. Assemble the mignardises on a large platter or board to resemble a winding train track:
- Line up choux puffs filled or dipped with ganache, financiers as train cars, tartlets as stations. Decorate with powdered sugar and gold leaf or silver pearls for extra flair.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Take care when beating in the eggs for the choux pastry to achieve a smooth and glossy dough, essential for well-puffed pastries. Be sure to cool the ganache to room temperature before dipping or filling to maintain the perfect texture. When browning butter for the financiers, watch carefully to avoid burning for that signature nutty flavor.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Experiment with different fillings for the choux puffs such as coffee or vanilla cream to personalize your mignardises. Seasonal fruits can be swapped in the tartlets to keep the recipe fresh year-round. For an extra whimsical touch, consider adding chocolate rails or cookie tracks to enhance the train theme visually.
Serviervorschläge
This charming dessert platter pairs beautifully with Champagne or Sauternes for celebratory moments, or with a delicate tea for an elegant afternoon treat. Serve on a large board for a festive presentation everyone will admire and enjoy nibbling from.
Save With its beautiful presentation and delightful flavor combinations, Piste de Train Mignardises offers a memorable experience that celebrates French pastry artistry. Whether for a special event or an elegant everyday indulgence, this recipe invites you to create a miniature dessert journey full of charm and taste.
Recipe FAQs
- → What is choux pastry used for in this assortment?
Choux pastry forms light, airy puffs that serve as the base for the ganache-filled treats, providing a delicate texture and subtle flavor.
- → How do I achieve the nutty flavor in the mini financiers?
The financiers gain their signature nutty aroma by incorporating almond flour and cooking the butter until golden brown (beurre noisette).
- → What fruits are best for the tartlets?
Fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries complement the creamy filling and crisp tartlets beautifully.
- → Can the fillings be varied?
Yes, fillings such as coffee or vanilla creams can replace the ganache to add different flavor profiles to the choux puffs.
- → How is the train track effect achieved?
The assortment is carefully arranged with choux puffs, financiers, and tartlets lined up to resemble a winding train track, enhanced with decorative sugar and edible pearls.