12.09.2010

Frozen Grand Marnier Mousse


What are you having for dessert on Christmas Day? We're having an absolutely ambrosial Grand Marnier Mousse!


An old family favorite, it's one of my Maida Heatter recipes, no ice cream churn required. You can make it ahead, freeze it and once frozen, cover tightly. It will keep in the freezer for a month and you can use it right out of the freezer with no last minute attention. It doesn't freeze hard and it's simple enough to make (although it sure uses a lot of bowls).

It's a light mousse,  sprinkled with a mixture of Grand Marnier and macaroon crumbs. In the last photo, you can see the texture. I like to serve it in mini souffle dishes or any pretty dish that is freezer-proof. This recipe makes 12 portions.

Frozen Grand Marnier Mousse
From Maida Heatter's New Book of Great Desserts




 
Macaroon mixture:


Ingredients:

6 ounces Amaretti cookies( to make 1 1/4 cups crumbs)
2 tablesooons orange juice (grate the rind before squeezing and reserve)
3 tablespoons Grand Marnier


Method:
Grind the macaroons in your processor.
In a small bowl, mix the orange juice and Grand Marnier. Add the crumbs and mix thoroughly. Set aside.

Mousse:

Ingredients:
5 eggs
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Finely grated rind of 1 large deep-colored orange (see above)
3 tablespoons Grand Marnier
2 cups heavy cream
pinch salt

Method:
Beat the yolks with 1/2 cup of the sugar until pale and thick.

Mix the grated rind and the Grand Marnier. Remove the yolk mixture from the beater and stir in the grated rind mixture. Set aside.


In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters, whip the cream until it holds a shape but is not stiff. Set aside.

Add the salt to the whites and beat until the whites hold a soft shape. Gradually add the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and the beat on high until they are stiff and dry.

Fold together the egg mixture, the whipped cream and the egg whites. folding it all together handling lightly until mixtures are barely blended.


Line up your 12 souffle dishes and spoon half the mixture into the cups. With your fingers, sprinkle about half the macaroon mixture. Top with the remaining mousse mixture (do not smooth the tops) and finish with the remaining macaroon mixture.


Place in the freezer until they are cold enough to be covered. About an hour.
Cover each with plastic wrap, careful not to smush the top. You can freeze overnight or up to 3-4 weeks. Serve directly from the freezer.






58 comments:

  1. OMG, it must be divine! A gorgeous flavor for a dessert.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. What a fabulous dessert. I have no idea what I'm serving for dessert at Christmas...this will definitely be un the mix. Thanks for sending the recipe Barbara

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  3. I love Grand Marnier so I am sure I wouls love this mousse as well.

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  4. Lovely Barbara, I am all over creamy frozen things with crumbs these days. It is really a fabulous combination.
    I have a favorite too that I have been making for 100 years with lime and fruit that is just sinful but definitely a summer dish... this would be a great winter version. Thanks for the recipe!

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  5. This would be a refreshing ending to an otherwise belt busting meal Barbara. Very wise.

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  6. I don't think this would last more than a few days in my freezer!!

    Barbara, I think it was you that did a delicious-looking raised waffle some months ago. If it was, would you please guide me to the recipe? I need to figure out a better way to "catalog" blog recipes that I want to try!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  7. This would be the perfect dessert to serve after Christmas dinner. I love the flavor combination and the fact that it can be made ahead. That makes all the difference when I'm preparing a large meal.

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  8. This sounds like it would be the perfect dessert - light but packed with flavor - love Grand Marnier!

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  9. The Knight wouldn't love it, but I would... Hmmmm...

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  10. What a gorgeous mousse! It's hard to think of anything nicer you could serve on Christmas day.

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  11. Ooh, this sounds so decadent, Barbara! I bet people love this-so rich and delicious. Plus, Grand Marnier makes everything better:) It's true...

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  12. Oh my goodness, this sounds absolutely divine. What an elegant dessert! It's going on my list...

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  13. Such a beautiful and elegant dessert, Barbara. Absolutely delicious, especially with that gorgeous topping. I love how it can be made ahead of time too!

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  14. Hi Barbara,
    You had me as soon as a read Grand Marnier.........yum this looks good.
    Maggie.

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  15. That looks absolutely fantastic. Grand Marnier... Yum. I like how this can be made ahead of time as well. Have a great day. Michael

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  16. Looks so good! I love frozen mousse, and yours has such amazing flavors! looks very elegant and perfect for the holiday!

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  17. WOW Barbar this mousse look delicious and amazing and I love your plate is soo cute and nice! gloria

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  18. Your guests are very lucky to have you making dinner! This is a stunning and elegant dessert and that Christmas plate I see in the photos is so cute. We're very traditional and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and later on a trifle.

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  19. oh yummy! i bet you can't wait, what a fun dessert!

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  20. That looks absolutely fantastic!!!!Great for the holidays!

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  21. This looks like the perfect Christmas dessert! I wish the holidays would hurry up and just get here already!!

    :)

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  22. Ohh..how fortunate of me to always have that Grand Marnier waiting around for the next fabulous recipe.
    Barbara...this one will get made before Christmas. All I'm missing is the amaretti ;o)

    Have a great evening,
    Claudia

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  23. Sounds like a perfectly light, fluffy dessert to end a huge Christmas meal!

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  24. I'm having pie, of course. :)

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  25. My husband is going to love this! And I love that it's made ahead of time - I hate to be in the kitchen on Christmas day.

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  26. Mmm I made a maple mousse last year and it was a big hit. This sounds equally as delicious though...and I'm always looking for new desserts to add to the holiday table!

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  27. This is surely your Christmas gift to me this year--I am loving this recipe! BOOZE in dessert! Yes! I promise you, I'm making this.

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  28. WOW!!!!
    I am making this for New Year's Eve, that I am spending with my friend Anne-Marie and all her friends, mostly French expats, they are going to love this!!!I love the fact that it can keep so long without spoiling, that is grand. Love Maida.Thanks for sharing a good one Barbara, cheers. Joumana

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  29. Grand Marnier is forever linked to Christmas for me - I like your ambrosial mousse!

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  30. This sounds incredibly decadent! Love all the flavors in this dessert and the presentation is lovely!

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  31. wow you know how to do christmas lunch :-) love it hugs Rebecca

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  32. wow, I've never had this but I'm sure I would love it!

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  33. Oh my, the ingredients it this sound wonderful, Barbara. I love the sound of the Grand Marnier and Amaretti together.

    Other than bringing an appetizer and a side dish, I don't have to cook this Christmas! I'll save this for another time :)

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  34. I love ice cream and I love frozen desserts... creamy, frozen... there is something magic there. In this dessert - that would be the GM - and the crispy almond cookies. YUM. I like a cold dessert after a heavy meal, too. This is on "the list"!
    :)
    Valerie

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  35. That is a exquisite dessert for Christmas. I would really enjoy this too.

    My family will be joining the extended family and there will be a lot of Italian food, that will include traditional Italian pastries.

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  36. I still haven't decided what I'm going to make for Christmas but your dessert calls my name. Grand Marnier is one of the few liqueurs I like.
    thanks for sharing.
    have a wonderful weekend

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  37. And here I am with an almost full bottle of Grand Marnier! What great timing-thankyou Barbara! :D

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  38. Who doesn't appreciate a pleasant and tangy mousse flavoured with grand marnier! This looks sinfully decadent!

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  39. this an outstanding dessert, barbara--very elegant. all i need is the crunchy portion, but i'll take it all. :)

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  40. I see one problem with this recipe: I'd literally eat it all! Yep, before anyone else even got a chance.

    It sounds delightful!

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  41. This looks absolutely wonderful. I love dishes with Grand Marnier. The picture makes me want to pick up a spoon and take another bite. I work with Better Recipes and this is one dish I am going to try. For more incredible Christmas dessert recipes, go here Christmas Dessert Recipes

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  42. Are you trying to get me drunk Mizz Barbara????

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  43. Oooee, how scrumptious! I love those delectable crumbles on top. :-)

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  44. I love these sorts of do-ahead desserts that look so impressive as well! I don't have any Grand Marnier, but guessing that Cointreau would work as well. Mmmm....

    Hope the preparations for Christmas are going swimmingly Barbara!

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  45. Your mousse sounds divine Barbara. I've been using a lot of Grand Marnier lately. We must be on the same wave length.
    Sam

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  46. I haven't decided yet Barbara, but that looks really good!

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  47. Oh wow, that looks wonderful, and I bet the texture is amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe :)

    ~Tabitha

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  48. Your mousse looks really lovely as does that roast that appears below. There will be great joy and satisfaction at your table on Christmas day. Blessings...Mary

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  49. Amaretti cookies are so dangerous to have in the house. Seriously, I can eat a whole canister of them in a matter of days. But this mousse looks so divine, I might be able to force myself to save a few crumbs for it instead.

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  50. This looks insanely good! I love that you can make it ahead of time. I have no idea what I'm making yet!

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  51. I'm a huge fan of frozen mousses and yours sound absolutely heavenly with Grand Marnier. Loving those macaroon crumbs on top too!

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  52. Barbara,
    your decorations in the above post are beautiful and I loved reading the Q&A, very fun!! This dessert is so elegant and looks delicious
    Happy Holidays

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  53. I haven't decided on any of our Christmas menus yet, and I need to hurry up and figure them out! I was just pondering desserts today. This one looks fantastic!

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  54. I have this Maida Heatter recipe, and I can attest to its goodness!

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  55. This is going in my ever-expanding list of things to try!

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