Thursday, January 15, 2015

A Charlotte Russe for the Crawley Family


[The cooks at Downton Abbey prepared a Charlotte Russe for dinner when the Crawleys came for a visit. I did not know what a "Charlotte Russe" was, so I looked it up on Wikipedia.  I realized that one of my favorite holiday desserts to stir up is a Charlotte Russe and all I had ever called it was "Ladyfinger Dessert".  It sounds so much fancier and more delicious to call it by its real name!  From now on, we shall be eating "Charlotte Russe"!]


Charlotte Russe

Ladyfingers (light, sweet sponge cakes)
8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. brandy
1/2 c. sugar
1 pint whipping cream
1 t. vanilla

Brush ladyfingers with rum.
Line side of an 8" springform pan with half of the ladyfingers.

Beat cream cheese, brandy, and sugar.  In large bowl, whip cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form.  Fold cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream.  Layer ladyfingers, then cream cheese mixture, ladyfingers, and then add the rest of the cream cheese mixture.  Chill.  Remove side of springform pan.
Top with cherry pie filling or strawberries in glaze.  I usually tie a Christmas grosgrain ribbon around the dessert before serving it--makes it look even prettier.


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