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Delicious chocolate raspberry treat

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Chocolate Raspberry Bavarois is a French-inspired dessert featuring a creamy, mousse-like chocolate Bavarois layered with tangy raspberry coulis. Decadent yet light, it is an ideal treat for elegant dinners or celebrations. You’ll enjoy the combination of rich dark chocolate and the fruity sweetness of raspberries, creating a beautifully balanced dessert. It’s easy to prepare with a few simple steps involving gentle heating, folding, and layering, followed by refrigeration. The final touch includes garnishing with fresh raspberries and shaved chocolate, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
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Rose
Updated on Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:28:15 GMT
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Chocolate Raspberry Bavarois | lovelylifewithrose.com

Creating a Chocolate Raspberry Bavarois brings me back to my culinary training in France. This elegant dessert combines silky chocolate Bavarian cream with vibrant raspberry coulis, delivering a perfect balance of rich and refreshing flavors that never fails to impress dinner guests.

I first attempted this recipe during a dinner party at home, and it's become my signature dessert. The way the smooth chocolate layer contrasts with the tart raspberry creates such beautiful flavor complexity that guests always ask for the recipe.

Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips

  • Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): The foundation of flavor; higher cocoa content creates depth
  • Whole Milk and Heavy Cream: Full-fat dairy ensures proper setting and rich texture
  • Fresh Raspberries: Select plump, bright red berries for best flavor; frozen work well too
  • Gelatin: Essential for the perfect mousse-like texture; quality matters
  • Egg Yolks: Use room temperature eggs for better emulsion
  • Vanilla Extract: Pure extract, not imitation, enhances chocolate notes

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Raspberry Coulis Creation:
Gently heat berries with sugar until they release juices
Strain carefully to remove seeds while preserving texture
Cool completely before layering
Step 2: Chocolate Base Development:
Heat dairy mixture slowly to prevent scorching
Temper eggs gradually to ensure smooth consistency
Incorporate chocolate when mixture reaches proper temperature
Step 3: Final Assembly:
Layer components with precision for clean presentation
Chill thoroughly between layers if doing multiple
Allow full setting time for perfect texture

Dark chocolate has been my family's preferred ingredient since discovering its health benefits. My daughter particularly enjoys helping prepare this dessert, claiming the rich chocolate aroma makes it impossible to resist sampling.

Storage and Serving

The Bavarois maintains its texture perfectly for up to 3 days when refrigerated properly. For optimal presentation, remove from refrigeration 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop fully.

Professional Chef Notes

  • Temper chocolate at exactly 45°C (113°F) for optimal shine
  • Bloom gelatin in ice-cold water for better activation
  • Use a digital thermometer for precise temperature control

This elegant dessert consistently proves that sophisticated French patisserie can be recreated at home with patience and attention to detail. The combination of smooth chocolate and bright raspberry creates a memorable dessert experience that I'm always proud to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is Bavarois?
Bavarois is a creamy dessert similar to mousse, made with custard, gelatin, and whipped cream.
→ Can I use frozen raspberries?
Yes, frozen raspberries can be used. Just thaw them before making the coulis.
→ How long does it take to set?
It typically takes around 4 hours in the refrigerator to fully set.
→ Can I make this dessert dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute milk and cream with coconut milk and coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
→ What alternative can I use for gelatin?
Agar-agar can be used instead of gelatin. Adjust the quantity according to package instructions.

Chocolate Raspberry Bavarois

Creamy chocolate dessert with raspberry coulis.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Rose

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Chocolate Bavarois

01 1 ½ cups whole milk
02 ½ cup heavy cream
03 4 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa), finely chopped
04 3 large egg yolks
05 ⅓ cup granulated sugar
06 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 1 ½ teaspoons powdered gelatin
08 2 tablespoons cold water
09 ½ cup whipped cream (for folding)

→ Raspberry Coulis

10 1 ½ cups fresh raspberries (or frozen, thawed)
11 ¼ cup sugar
12 1 tablespoon lemon juice
13 1 tablespoon water

→ Garnish

14 Extra fresh raspberries
15 Shaved dark chocolate
16 Mint leaves (optional)

Instructions

Step 01

Place fresh or thawed raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes while stirring occasionally. When the raspberries break down, strain the mixture through a fine sieve to get a smooth coulis. Once cooled, refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 02

Begin by sprinkling gelatin over cold water in a small bowl. Give it 5 minutes to bloom. Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it starts to steam—avoid boiling. Separately, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy. Gradually pour the heated milk and cream mixture into the egg mixture, constantly whisking to prevent it from curdling. Return it to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring consistently, until the mixture thickens (it should coat the back of a spoon). Remove from heat and melt the finely chopped chocolate into the mixture until it’s smooth. Stir in the bloomed gelatin to dissolve fully and add the vanilla extract. Let it cool at room temperature before gently folding in the whipped cream.

Step 03

Spoon or pour a layer of raspberry coulis into the bottom of serving ramekins or glasses. Follow that with the chocolate Bavarois mixture. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight until it sets.

Step 04

Top each dessert with fresh raspberries, a sprinkle of shaved dark chocolate, and some optional mint leaves for decoration. Serve chilled, optionally with extra raspberry coulis on the side.

Notes

  1. Replace gelatin with agar-agar for a vegetarian alternative. Adjust the amount based on package instructions.
  2. You can make this dessert dairy-free by substituting regular milk and cream with coconut milk and coconut cream.

Tools You'll Need

  • Fine mesh sieve
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Serving glasses or ramekins

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (use dairy-free substitutes if necessary)
  • Eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 92
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~