Tropical Jaconde Recipes

TROPICAL CHEWIES

Steps:

• Beat 1 1/2 sticks melted butter, 3/4 cup dark brown sugar and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until fluffy; beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 eggs. Whisk 2 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt, then stir into the butter mixture. Add 2 cups white chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts, 1/2 cup chopped almonds and 3/4 cup shredded coconut. Scoop into medium balls, sprinkle with coconut and chill. Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

JOCONDE CAKE

Steps:

• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla and beat on medium speed (you read that right) until just thick-it will start to leave marks from the whisk in the cream.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using the whisk attachment, continue whipping by hand for several seconds until the cream reaches the desired consistency; this way, you can ensure the mixer won't take it too far. Whipped cream is best used right away.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously grease an 11 by 16-inch jelly-roll pan, then line the bottom with greased parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and almond flour. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs and 1⁄2 cup sugar on high speed for about 8 minutes. The batter should be very light in color and texture. When you lift the whisk out of the mixture, the batter should form a ribbon that sits on the surface of the egg foam for several seconds. Turn the speed to medium and continue to whip for 1 minute more. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using the whisk attachment or a rubber spatula, gently fold the almond mixture into the egg foam in three additions.
• In a clean mixer bowl with a clean whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and salt on medium speed just until they start to foam. Slowly sprinkle in the remaining 2 Tbsp sugar to create a French meringue, then whip on high speed until glossy, stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using the whisk attachment or a rubber spatula, gently fold the meringue into the almond batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
• Bake until the cake is set and just golden on top, 12 to 15 minutes. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
• Dust a clean kitchen towel with confectioners' sugar. Invert the joconde onto the prepared towel and carefully peel off the parchment paper.
• Cover the joconde with half of the whipped cream, then top with half of the berries.
• Using the towel to get started, roll the joconde, starting at the short end, into as tight a log as you can manage. Transfer the log to a serving platter. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Remove the log from the refrigerator, then top with the remaining whipped cream and berries. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

TROPICAL LEMONADE

Steps:

• Pour the vodka, Blue Curacao, and sweet and sour mix to a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake to chill.
• Fill a collins glass with ice; strain the vodka mixture into the glass. Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda.