Have you ever eaten gooseberry pie? This wonderful dessert is equal parts sweet and sour. The buttery goodness of the crust and the sweetness of the filling help tame the sour flavor of the fruit. These recipes are a perfect ending to your dinner because they are reminiscent of grandma's gooseberry pie!
A twist on the classic lemon meringue cake. The spiciness of the gooseberries comes into its own wonderfully here.
Instructions for preparation: 45min, plus cooling and cooling down
Notes on preparation: about 35 minutes
Ingredients for the cake:
- 320 g finished shortcrust pastry sheet
- 500 g gooseberries, with tip and tail if woody
- 225g caster sugar
- 50ml lemon juice – about 1-2 lemons
- 40 g cornstarch
- 4 medium egg yolks
Ingredients for the meringue mixture:
- 4 medium egg whites
- 200 g caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Preparation of the gooseberry meringue cake
- Place the dough in a 23cm loose-bottomed fluted cake tin (roll a little thinner if necessary), allowing the excess dough to hang over the edge. Prick the base with a fork and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan oven). Trim off any excess dough. Line the dough in the tin with a piece of baking paper and fill it with baking beans. Bake the cake on the middle rack for 15 minutes until the dough is set. Carefully remove the dough from the oven and remove the parchment and beans. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, place the gooseberries in a large pot with the sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushy. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice and cornstarch until smooth. Add to skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick like wallpaper paste (it needs to boil). Add the egg yolks and continue to cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Pour the filling into the cooked dough and smooth the surface. Allow to cool completely.
- Preheat the oven again to 180°C (160°C fan oven). Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff again after each addition - the meringue should be thick and shiny. Stir in the cornstarch. Spread the meringue mixture over the gooseberry filling and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and firm. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes (up to 30 minutes) before serving.
Gooseberry cake with pudding and sprinkles
This crumble recipe works with any firm fruit, so feel free to experiment with what's in season. Apples are of course a classic choice, but peaches, nectarines, plums and other types of berries also work well. Gooseberries in particular go well with raspberries - a mix of the two with a crunchy crumble layer would be absolutely spectacular. This pudding recipe is absolutely easy.
Make your own vanilla pudding – instructions
Ingredients for the vanilla pudding:
- 2 egg yolks
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 heaped tablespoon of cornstarch
- 150ml double cream
- 120ml milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
preparation:
- Put the egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan and whisk together.
- Gradually stir in the cream and milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Place the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Place the pudding in a bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and allow to cool.
Recipe for sprinkles – step by step
Ingredients for the gooseberry crumble:
- 60 g caster sugar
- 90g plain flour
- 400 g gooseberries (washed and cleaned)
- 90 g Butter
- 90g brown sugar
- 2 handfuls of oat flakes
Make your own gooseberry cake – instructions:
- Pour the caster sugar into your baking/cake tin, add the gooseberries and shake until well coated with the sugar.
- In a separate bowl, rub the butter and sugar together until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
- Mix in the flour and oats until well combined.
- Sprinkle the topping mixture over the gooseberries.
- Bake the streusel for 20-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
To serve, add a generous dollop of the cooled pudding (or reheat it first if you prefer) and dig into it with the biggest spoon you own!
Impressive Health Benefits of Gooseberries
Gooseberries are small, nutritious fruits that offer many health benefits:
- Extremely nutritious and rich in fiber: Gooseberries are low in calories and fat but packed with nutrients.
- Good for your heart: A diet rich in fruits, such as gooseberries, is associated with a lower risk of heart disease
- Rich in antioxidants: Antioxidants are compounds that help fight the effects of free radicals. Gooseberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, small amounts of vitamin E, and phytonutrients
- May help control blood sugar: Studies show that gooseberry extract is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. This means that it binds to special enzymes in your small intestine and stops them from moving sugar from the intestines into the bloodstream.
More dessert ideas with gooseberriescan be found here!
