Roast cherry & chocolate mess

Name: Roast cherry & chocolate mess
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 400 g fresh Waitrose & Partners Cherries, halved and then pitted; 3 fresh bay leaves; 2 tbsp white caster sugar, plus 1 tsp for the cream; 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses; 250 ml whipping cream; 50 g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), finely chopped; ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste (optional); 4 Cooks’ Ingredients Meringue Nests (or 12 mini meringue shells), very roughly broken

A twist on a popular Eton mess, made with juicy cherries and 70% cocoa chocolate.

4 out of 5 stars(2) Rate this recipe

Serves4
CourseDessert
Prepare15 mins
Cook10 mins
Total time25 mins
Plusplus cooling

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Ingredients

400g fresh Waitrose & Partners Cherries, halved and then pitted
3 fresh bay leaves
2 tbsp white caster sugar, plus 1 tsp for the cream
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
250ml whipping cream
50g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), finely chopped
¼ tsp vanilla bean paste (optional)
4 Cooks’ Ingredients Meringue Nests (or 12 mini meringue shells), very roughly broken

Method

Preheat the oven to 220˚C, gas mark 7. Put the cherries in a medium roasting tin and toss with the bay leaves, 2 tbsp sugar and the pomegranate molasses. Roast for 5-7 minutes to get the juices going and bubbling at the edges (don’t cook the cherries through). Set aside until just warm.
Meanwhile, put 4 tbsp cream and 2 tbsp water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Put the chopped chocolate in a small bowl, pour the hot cream over it, and stir until smooth. Spoon 1 tbsp into the bottom of 4 small tumblers
Put the remaining cream, 1 tsp sugar and the vanilla, if using, into a large bowl. Whip to very soft peaks. Add a generous dollop to each glass, then a few chunks of the meringue, some cherries and juice. Repeat, finishing each with a final small dollop of cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Serve straight away, with any extra chocolate sauce on the side.