Description
This Lebanese Date & Orange Blossom Mousse is a creamy, fragrant dessert combining the natural sweetness of Medjool dates with the delicate floral notes of orange blossom essence. Lightly whipped with cream and yogurt, this mousse offers a smooth texture and refreshing taste, perfect for a sophisticated yet easy-to-make treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dates Base
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup water
Dairy & Sweeteners
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup pure honey
Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom essence
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Zest from 1 orange
Toppings
- Chopped pistachios for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Soften the Dates: Place the finely chopped dates in a saucepan with 1/2 cup of water. Heat over medium flame, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until the dates soften and absorb some of the water.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the softened dates cool for a few minutes to avoid overheating the blender and preserving flavors.
- Blend the Base: Transfer the softened dates along with any leftover water into a blender or food processor. Add Greek yogurt, honey, orange blossom essence, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Blend everything until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Whip the Cream: In a clean separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form, creating a light and airy texture.
- Fold in the Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the date mixture to combine, taking care not to deflate the airy whipped cream, maintaining the mousse’s light texture.
- Add Orange Zest: Incorporate the orange zest into the mousse gently by folding it in to spread the citrus aroma evenly throughout the dessert.
- Chill the Mousse: Spoon the mousse into individual serving cups or bowls. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the mousse to firm up and the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, optionally sprinkle chopped pistachios on top for a crunchy texture contrast and added visual appeal.
Notes
- Make sure to use Medjool dates, as they are much softer and sweeter than other varieties, perfect for blending into a mousse.
- You can substitute orange blossom essence with rose water if preferred, but the flavor profile will change accordingly.
- For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream and Greek yogurt with coconut cream and plant-based yogurt, respectively.
- Chilling the mousse overnight will deepen the flavors and improve the texture.
- Adjust honey quantity based on the natural sweetness of your dates and personal preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Keywords: Lebanese mousse, date dessert, orange blossom mousse, creamy dessert, Middle Eastern sweets, healthy mousse
