Save The Tour d'Éléphant Goûter Gourmand is a whimsical delight, stacking layers of sweet and savory bites into a charming tower perfect for an indulgent afternoon tea or family gathering. This French fusion snack marries the rich flavors of mini madeleines, chocolate brownies, and fresh strawberries with savory cheese gougères and herbed cream cheese, creating a playful yet elegant experience that will impress your guests.
Save Combining classic French pastries with fresh ingredients, this snack tower showcases the beauty of contrast and balance. Each bite offers a unique combination of textures—from the soft madeleines and brownies to the airy gougères and crisp cucumber—enhanced by delicate garnishes like pistachios and fresh mint.
Ingredients
- Sweet Layers
- 6 mini madeleines
- 6 small chocolate brownies
- 6 strawberries, hulled and halved
- 100 g whipped cream
- Savory Layers
- 6 mini cheese gougères
- 6 slices cucumber
- 6 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 60 g herbed cream cheese
- Garnishes
- 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
- 2 tbsp honey
- Fresh mint leaves, for decoration
Instructions
- 1.
- Prepare the sweet and savory components as needed (bake madeleines, brownies, and gougères if not using store-bought).
- 2.
- Assemble the first layer by placing a gougère on a serving platter. Top with a dollop of herbed cream cheese and a slice of cucumber.
- 3.
- Stack a brownie atop the savory base. Add a small swirl of whipped cream and a strawberry half.
- 4.
- Place a madeleine on the next layer, followed by a cherry tomato half and a touch of cream cheese.
- 5.
- Repeat the stacking process for each serving, arranging layers in alternating sweet and savory order to create a tower.
- 6.
- Drizzle lightly with honey, sprinkle with chopped pistachios, and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
- 7.
- Serve immediately as an eye-catching snack tower.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Plan ahead to bake your madeleines, brownies, and gougères so they have time to cool before assembling. Use a piping bag for precise application of cream cheese and whipped cream layers to keep the tower neat and stable.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For those with nut allergies, simply omit the pistachios to keep it safe and delicious. Gluten-free versions can be made by substituting gluten-free baked goods. For an extra savory touch, consider adding smoked salmon or cured ham slices between layers.
Serviervorschläge
This snack tower is best served fresh and immediately to maintain the textures and visual appeal. Pair with a light, floral tea or a crisp sparkling wine to complement the diverse flavors.
Save Embrace the playful layering of this recipe, and enjoy the process as much as the delicious result. The Tour d'Éléphant Goûter Gourmand invites you to celebrate the joy of combining textures and flavors in a refined yet approachable way, perfect for creating memorable moments around the table.
Recipe Guide
- → What ingredients create the sweet layers?
The sweet layers combine mini madeleines, chocolate brownies, strawberries, and whipped cream for a rich, fruity contrast.
- → How are the savory layers composed?
Savory layers feature mini cheese gougères, cucumber slices, cherry tomato halves, and herbed cream cheese to add fresh, creamy notes.
- → Can this snack tower accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, pistachios can be omitted for nut-free versions and gluten-free baked goods can substitute traditional items as needed.
- → What is the best way to assemble the tower?
Stack components alternating sweet and savory layers starting with a gougère base, adding cream cheese, cucumber, then brownie, whipped cream, strawberry, followed by madeleine and tomato, repeating until complete.
- → Are there suggestions for variations?
Adding smoked salmon or cured ham introduces additional savory depth and can complement the existing flavors well.
- → How long does preparation and cooking take?
Preparation takes about 30 minutes, cooking around 20 minutes, resulting in a total time near 50 minutes before serving.