Strawberry baba with basil granita

There’s nothing quite like a refreshing to finish off a meal, and with summer right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to experiment with new and exciting flavors. Enter the baba with basil – a perfect combination of and refreshing that’s sure to impress your guests.

First, let’s start with the baba. This classic French dessert is essentially a cake that’s soaked in a sweet syrup made from sugar, water, and a touch of alcohol. Traditionally, babas are made with rum or another dark liquor, but in this case, we’re sticking with a light and fruity flavor profile. Our strawberry baba recipe uses fresh to create a delicate and sponge cake that’s perfect for soaking up all that sweet syrup.

To make your strawberry baba, you’ll need:

– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 2 eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a baba mold. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped strawberries. Pour the batter into your greased mold and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

While your baba is baking, it’s time to whip up the syrup. For this recipe, we’re using a simple syrup made with equal parts sugar and water, plus a touch of strawberry extract for extra flavor. To make the syrup, simply combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp of strawberry extract. Once your baba is finished baking, remove it from the oven and carefully turn it out onto a wire rack. Brush the syrup generously over the entire cake, allowing it to soak in completely.

Now, let’s move on to the basil granita. Granita is a frozen dessert similar to sorbet, but with a coarser texture. It’s incredibly easy to make and can be customized with a wide range of flavors. For this recipe, we’re using fresh basil to add a touch of herbaceousness to our dessert.

To make your basil granita, you’ll need:

– 2 cups water
– 1 cup sugar
– 2 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped

Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped basil leaves. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then pour it into a shallow, freezer-safe container. Place the container in the freezer and use a fork to scrape the mixture every 30 minutes or so until it’s completely frozen and has a fluffy, granular texture.

To serve, simply spoon a generous portion of basil granita onto a plate and top it with a slice of strawberry baba. You can also garnish with additional fresh strawberries or a sprig of basil for added flair.

In conclusion, the strawberry baba with basil granita is a simple yet sophisticated dessert that’s perfect for entertaining or simply indulging in something sweet and refreshing. With the bright, fruity flavor of the baba and the herbaceous coolness of the granita, this dessert is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe book. Give it a try this summer and see for yourself!