Description
This Lebanese Date & Orange Blossom Mousse is a luscious and creamy dessert that beautifully combines the natural sweetness of Medjool dates with the floral notes of orange blossom essence. Lightly sweetened with honey and balanced with Greek yogurt and whipped cream, this mousse offers a delicate texture and refreshing citrus aroma, making it a perfect elegant treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup pure honey
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom essence
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Zest from 1 orange
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Toppings (Optional)
- Chopped pistachios for topping
Instructions
- Soften the Dates: Place the finely chopped Medjool dates into a saucepan with 1/2 cup of water. Heat over medium flame, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until the dates become soft and syrupy.
- Cool the Date Mixture: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the softened dates to cool for a few minutes, ensuring they are not too hot for blending.
- Blend the Base Ingredients: Transfer the softened dates along with any remaining water into a blender or food processor. Add Greek yogurt, honey, orange blossom essence, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy without any lumps.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form—this means the cream holds shape but is still light and airy.
- Fold the Cream into the Date Mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the date blend, combining them carefully so the mousse remains light and fluffy without deflating the whipped cream.
- Add Orange Zest: Incorporate the freshly grated orange zest into the mousse by folding it in evenly, introducing a fresh citrus aroma and subtle texture.
- Chill the Mousse: Spoon the mousse into serving cups or bowls. Cover each with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the mousse to chill and firm up.
- Serve with Toppings: Just before serving, sprinkle chopped pistachios on top for an optional crunchy contrast and added flavor.
Notes
- Use Medjool dates for the best natural sweetness and texture; other dates may alter the flavor and consistency.
- If you do not have orange blossom essence, you can substitute with a small amount of orange extract, but adjust quantity to taste.
- Chilling time is crucial for the mousse to set; avoid skipping this step.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with whipped coconut cream to make it dairy-free and vegan accordingly.
- Ensure the cream is cold before whipping to achieve optimal volume and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Keywords: Lebanese mousse, date dessert, orange blossom, creamy mousse, healthy dessert, Middle Eastern dessert
