Red Current and Marzipan Swirls

Red Current Marzipan Swirls (03) by MeetaK 

There's something very different and, in my opinion, quite classy when you invite guests over for tea and coffee. In Germany "Kaffee und Kuchen" is usually reserved for the weekends, when friends or family are invited to enjoy a selection of cake over cups of coffee or tea.

It's such a great way to spend time together. In the summers we usually spend Sundays in the garden either doing a bit of gardening or simply lazing around with a good book. As the birds chirp around in the lush green leaves of the shady apple tree a wonderful wisp of sweet baking floats through the air. In the Autumn when the air is cool and crisp we spend time walking trough the woods and collecting chestnuts and leaves. Wrapped warmly our thoughts are with that freshly baked cake or pastry and warm coffee waiting for us when we arrive home.

Usually I love inviting friends over for a late afternoon get-together. Especially as many have younger children it suits them more, having the leisure of bringing their children along and not having to time-watch for bedtime. I find it more relaxing when my guests are laid back and can enjoy their time with us at home.

Red Currents Aug2009 (01) by MeetaK

What I really like about such afternoon gatherings is preparing several smaller treats instead of one main meal. It's much more pleasant indulging in a variety of sweet pastries and savory delicacies. If weather permits I usually set up the feast in buffet style on our little terrace and rent out 2 or 3 high tables that are spread out across the green grass. The kids get their own table laid out in colorful tablecloth, napkins, plates and cups.

As I do not have any means to keep the items warm, the food is usually served cold or at room temperature, which makes these kinds of events perfect for preparing most of the delicious delicacies ahead of time. Sometimes we will grill small amounts of meat and vegetables too, which takes care of the warm food issue.

While savory bites are very popular amongst my friends and family, what they love are the tiny sweet pastries, cakes and custard desserts. And I like to spoil them and their sweet teeth.

Red Current Marzipan Swirls (02) by MeetaK

Like these delicious red current and marzipan swirls. The red currents, picked, over the summer from my mother-in-laws garden, were perfect for my end of summer garden party I had a while back. I found the recipe in a German magazine and adapted it slightly. The tart red currents wrapped in sweet yeasty dough and highlighted my the mellow marzipan was a real treat. Just perfect as a High Tea Treat

Hope you will be joining Aparna and me for this month's mingle. You've still got till Thursday to send us your creative and exquisite high tea treat recipes. 

 

Red Current and Marzipan Swirls

Printable version of recipe here.

Ingredients

For the yeast dough

250 ml milk – like warm
500g all-purpose flour
1 cube (approx. 42g) fresh yeast
50g sugar
75g butter, softened
1 egg
75g butter
a pinch of salt

For the filling

500g red currents, washed and removed from the stalks
200g marzipan, cut into cubes
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom powder
1 egg
150g icing sugar
extra flour

Method

For the yeast dough

  1. Crumble the fresh yeast into the milk. Stir to dissolve.

  2. In a large mixing bowl add the flour and make a well in the middle of it. Pour in the yeast-milk mixture. Taking some of the flour from the sides begin to prepare your yeast dough by mixing a small amount of the flour into the mixture. Cover and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

  3. Add sugar, egg, salt and butter to the dough and using the dough hooks of your stand mixer knead the dough until it comes together. Then for the final few minutes use your hands to make a smooth silky dough. Cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise in a warm dry place for approx. 30 minutes. Then give the dough a final good knead with your hands.

  4. Using a rolling pin roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle approx. 60 x 45 cm. Gently move the dough over to a sheet of baking paper cut in approx. the same size. This will help to roll the dough more easily.

For the filling

  1. Place the marzipan, cardamom and egg in a mixing bowl and whisk with an electrical hand held whisk until the mixture is nice and smooth.

  2. Preheat the oven to about 180 – 200 degrees C. Prepare two baking trays by lining them with baking paper.

  3. Spread the marzipan over the yeast dough in a thin layer. Lay out the red currents in an even layer leaving about 1 cm free around the edges.

  4. Roll the dough from the long side up, using the baking paper as an aid as you roll upwards.

  5. With a floured sharp knife cut about 12-15 slices from the dough roll, making sure to flour the knife in between each cut.

  6. Place the swirls on the prepared baking trays. Cover with a tea towel and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

  7. Back each tray separately for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to warm on a rack.

  8. In the meantime prepare the sugar frosting by adding 2-3 tablespoons of water to the icing sugar and stirring until smooth. Coat the warm swirls with the frosting and then allow to dry.

Sticky Note 1 Meeta Tip

  • You can use any kind of berries for these swirls. Try blueberries or raspberries, frozen now and fresh in the summer. Right now use dried cranberries, poached quince or pears.
  • Instead of fruit try spreading a simple layer of your favorite preserve. This fig and ginger preserve will make everyone drool for more or this delectable plum and cinnamon preserve is perfect for breakfast, tea, or just about anytime of the day!
  • Decadent would be simply drizzling some dulce de leche and a few nuts!


 


Verdict

Red Current Marzipan Swirls (01) by MeetaK

These were not only enjoyed by the adults but the kids really dug into them. As I saw how quickly they disappeared I wished I had made a few more. But the recipe is very versatile and can be adapted to use any fruit. The red currents kept the swirls nice and moist and their tart flavor played off well against the sweet yeast dough. The marzipan with the slight hint of cardamom added the perfect highlight and texture to round it off.

You might like these from WFLH:

Souffle02
Herb & Goat Cheese Soufflé Spiced Chocolate and Orange Bread Chocolate Éclairs


 DTtip6 

Daily Tiffin Reading Tip:

Feeding the Finicky written by Jamie

 

 


All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2009 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First

Continue »

38 comments:

  1. I love your description of an afternoon part that you host! I could totally imagine myself on your terrace.

    And the red currents look stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  2. sounds like a wonderful party. you are so hospitable digitally i can only imagine the same in life.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh! my Gosh! What goodness! Can I come over? I wish I get to taste these delicious things you make at least once in my life time:-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amazing and delicious looking, as usual!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow! a sweet Treat...this is a fun post Meeta....red currents looks so juicy and delicious. All these pics are equally warming and mouth watering. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful job Meeta! nice pics as usual. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. The red current shot is so beautiful!! I love this dish as well. If only you could send some for me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Perfect for tea, Meeta and there's a lot of things in it I love (marzipan and cardamom!)
    Our High Tea is going to be fun.

    You're not going to believe this, but I just made rolls/ swirls like these, but flavoured differently. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I cannot imagine my life with social gatherings like you have described here.

    These marzipan swirls are such delightful treats......the tangy red currants that breaks through the sweetness of the marzipan.....just divine!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, these look incredible- made of all things that I love!! Sounds like such a great party. Those currants are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just the thing I'm craving Meeta. They are beautiful. I'd love to be at your table!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Meeta,those swirls look so pretty;perfect for a tea party :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am definitely finding a way to come to one of your afternoon teas. Sounds heavenly. And these special treats are gorgeous to look at but the current with the marzipan sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like a perfectly wonderful party. These are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the informative post and the clicks.Wish I were there to enjoy these beauties.Too PERFECT they are.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gosh, I can just imagine the sweet tartness bursting into the soft rolls... Heaven! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. How beautiful those look Meeta! I totally love marzipan. Cannot resist it at all and these treats are perfect

    ReplyDelete
  18. I wish Iwas in that tea party in your terrace, the dish looks stunning and yummy..

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the pis of the currants in a bowl! so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Personally I'm not a big fan of either marzipan (too sweet) or red currants(too tart). But I guess if I use them together, they'll balance each other wonderfully.
    Thanks for the recipe Meeta!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much for all your comments. I only wish I could invite all of you to one of the tea parties. I would love to meet some of you in person. In the meantime I hope my virtual parties will satisfy you too LOL!
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  22. These look so delectable. Beautiful photos. I could do with some to go with the tea i'm drining now.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I simply love afternoon teas as well. Any opportunity to bake for other people, and enjoy company while grazing on a delicious homemade treat sounds perfect to me. This dish looks delightful!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Next time you want to indulge a friend call me i will be there in a jiffy :-)
    The swrils looks beautiful and so yumm. Kafee and Kuchen that is what my hubby says always about coffee time too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. hehe, you have got something that are good for the eyes and my tummy.. Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  26. So pretty! I love little treats to serve with coffee. I need to make them more often!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Heartiest Congrats to you Meeta. You deserve all the attention.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, I would be so thrilled if I went over to a friend's house for a leisurely afternoon and she made those. So beautiful!

    Sues

    ReplyDelete
  29. lovely swirls.. love the bright red color

    ReplyDelete
  30. Those look so good! I am always wondering what to do with currants.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Meeta, isn't it red currant? or can it be slept both ways?

    hate to be grammar police, but you know, had to! :D

    ReplyDelete
  32. Beautiful photos. I love the flavour combo too, sounds delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Meeta,

    Should the dough double up or only as much possible in those 30 minutes? you know how the weather is these days hence the doubt:)

    thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh, wow. These photos are gorgeous!

    I'm co-hosting a high tea with some friends soon... now I want to make these, but I have no idea where I could get currants in the Northern United States!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hugs
Meeta