Come All Ye Bakers

December 24, 2024 6:12 PM

I made a dessert to bring to tomorrow's holiday meal Chocolate Magic Custard Cake and it's seriously lacking oomph. Any ideas on how to wow it up?

So, yes I sometimes do untested recipes when I should know better and now I'm left with a bland dessert - it's only ever-so-slightly chocolately, plus the custard base consistency is a lot like a thick gelatin. It's just not enough of anything, if you know what I mean.

Any ideas on how to boost this dessert from a sub-mediocre 4 to say a solid 7? What if I add a ganache layer? Or maybe I could sandwich it between shortbread cookies? What would *you* do? I'd hate to toss it.

posted by Ink-stained wretch to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

Serve with homemade chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
posted by RoadScholar at 6:17 PM on December 24, 2024 [1 favorite]

Or put vanilla ice cream on it. mixed into the custard should wake up the flavor.
posted by vrakatar at 6:39 PM on December 24, 2024

Hot fudge or chocolate ganache drizzled on top, with a layer of fresh raspberries!
posted by Champagne Supernova at 7:01 PM on December 24, 2024 [3 favorites]

If you have time, freeze it in the pan, add a layer of raspberry or orange jello - with the flavor dialed up to 11. Which might mean using juice and gelatin rather than a premixed box. Freeze that some more, add your ganache. Or do a fruit curd, if you like. Orange would be nice. Probably ganache first for the curd approach, but maybe some chocolate decoration on top? Tart fruits will bring out the chocolate flavor.
posted by janell at 7:22 PM on December 24, 2024

Flavor the ganache with espresso (you can use Bustelo powder for that) and it will be intense and will enhance the chocolatiness. I use Bustelo powder in much of my baking and even when it’s not enough to make my stuff taste like coffee it seems to intensify chocolate flavors.
posted by kapers at 7:49 PM on December 24, 2024 [1 favorite]

Make hot fudge and whipped cream. Maybe flavored whipped cream.
posted by theora55 at 8:53 PM on December 24, 2024

Raspberry or strawberry coulis.
posted by Dashy at 4:24 AM on December 25, 2024

There's not the tiniest bit of salt in the recipe? That might be the problem. Maybe a sweet-salty crushed nut or salted caramel layer would do it
posted by restless_nomad at 5:19 AM on December 25, 2024 [9 favorites]

Could you use it as a base for a chocolate trifle?
posted by inevitability at 5:20 AM on December 25, 2024

Definitely agree with restless_nomad - whatever you add should have salt.
posted by obfuscation at 7:01 AM on December 25, 2024

1 tsp table salt and 2 tsp ground cardamom in the batter, and at least 1/2 cup chopped pistachios on top. Sprinkle them on and press them in very gently before baking. Perhaps a tiny bit of fleur de sel with the pistachios on top as well but go very lightly with that.

I don't know what it is with dessert recipes these days but, most desserts need some salt to enhance flavor, and the silly recipes don't include it.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 1:39 AM on December 26, 2024

I agree with restless_nomad — with no salt in the recipe, it’s going to taste bland no matter what you do. Doubly so if you used unsalted butter. If you’re determined to try to save it, I second the idea of a salted caramel layer.
posted by ourobouros at 6:16 AM on December 26, 2024 [1 favorite]