Prepare the base: place the biscuits in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin into fine crumbs (they should look like coarse breadcrumbs). If you don't have a rolling pin, put the biscuits in a large bowl and mash them with a potato masher. You will get about evenly sized crumbs.
Description
Creamy, no-bake layered dessert inspired by the classic "mother-in-law's revenge cake," but transformed into a light, elegant form perfect for a culinary blog. It consists of a crunchy base made from buttery biscuits, an intense layer of coffee-soaked cookies, a velvety mascarpone and ricotta cream stabilized with gelatin, and a layer of dark chocolate as a topping. The dish combines contrasts: a sweet-buttery base, a distinct coffee note, and the delicate tartness of ricotta—all decorated with nuts and orange zest. Serve chilled, as a dessert after an elegant dinner or for an afternoon coffee gathering—it looks impressive and tastes exceptional, while also being simple to make without an oven.
Składniki (14)
- Butter cookies 250 g
- Butter 150 g
- Mascarpone 250 g
- Ricotta 300 g
- Powdered sugar 80 g
- 36% heavy cream 400 ml
- Powdered gelatin 8 g
- Espresso (strong coffee) 120 ml
- 70% dark chocolate 150 g
- Cocoa powder for dusting 10 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.0 szczypt
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Coffee liqueur (optional) 30 ml
- Walnuts (optional) 50 g
- Orange zest (optional) 10 g
💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty
Preparation steps
Base
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave (short 20-30 second intervals) until it becomes liquid but not hot. Pour the melted butter into the cookie crumbs and mix with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until all the crumbs are evenly moist and start to slightly stick together.
Line a 24–26 cm springform pan with baking paper (bottom and sides). Transfer the cookie mixture to the springform pan and spread it evenly. Press the base mixture down using a spoon, the bottom of a glass, or the base of a small jar, creating a compact, even layer about 1–1.5 cm thick. Place in the refrigerator for at least 20–30 minutes to firm up.
Coffee layer
Prepare the coffee soak: brew 120 ml of strong espresso. Transfer the hot coffee to a bowl and set aside for 1 minute to cool slightly (it should be hot, but not boiling). If you are using coffee liqueur, add it to the cooled espresso and stir.
Soaking the cookies: take a few (or all, as desired) additional biscuits or ladyfingers (if you have them) and quickly dip them on one side in coffee for 1–2 seconds — do not soak them too long so that the cookies do not fall apart. Arrange the soaked cookies in a tight layer on the chilled base (if you do not want visible whole cookies, you can crumble the soaked pieces and spread them evenly).
Cream
Prepare the gelatin: sprinkle 8 g of gelatin into a small bowl, add 40 ml of cold water and let it sit for 5–8 minutes to swell (a jelly-like mass will form). After swelling, heat the gelatin over a water bath or in very short intervals in the microwave until it becomes liquid and clear (do not allow it to boil). Let it cool for 1–2 minutes — it should be lukewarm.
Whipping cream: pour very cold heavy cream (400 ml) into a large bowl. Use a mixer on low speed, gradually increasing to medium, and whip until soft peaks form (about 2–3 minutes). Do not whip to stiff peaks — we want the cream to be fluffy but still creamy.
Combine the cheeses: in a separate bowl, mix mascarpone (250 g) with ricotta (300 g), add sifted powdered sugar (80 g) and a pinch of salt. Stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. The mixture should be silky, not overly runny.
Adding gelatin to the cream: pour the cooled, still liquid gelatin into the cheese mixture in a thin stream, stirring vigorously to distribute it well (to avoid lumps and immediate gelling in one spot). Immediately combine the cheese mixture with the whipped cream — add in portions (first 1/3 of the cream, mix gently, then the rest), folding from the bottom up with a spatula until the cream is smooth and fluffy.
Assembly
Applying the cream: take the springform pan with the soaked cookies out of the fridge. Pour about 2/3 of the prepared cream over the coffee layer and spread it evenly with a silicone spatula. Level the surface by gently tapping the springform pan on the countertop to remove air bubbles.
You can optionally layer a second, thin layer of cookies on the cream — if you want a more distinct structure, soak a few more cookies and arrange them in a single layer on the cream. Then spread the remaining cream and smooth the surface. Place the springform pan in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the cream to set.
Chocolate glaze
Prepare the glaze: chop 150 g of dark chocolate and transfer it to a bowl. Heat 60 ml of heavy cream (you can use from the previously prepared 400 ml, pouring off before whipping) almost to boiling (small bubbles at the edge). Pour the hot cream over the chocolate, wait 30–40 seconds, then gently stir until you achieve a smooth, glossy mixture. If you want shine, add 10 g of butter and mix.
After the cream has set (after at least 4 hours), take the springform pan out of the fridge. Carefully unclip the ring. Pour the prepared, slightly cooled chocolate glaze in the center of the dessert and spread it to the edges, allowing it to gently flow down the sides. You can help yourself with a spoon to create even drips.
Decoration
Finishing: dust the surface with a thin layer of cocoa (10 g) through a sieve to achieve an even coating. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped, lightly toasted walnuts (50 g) and grated orange zest (10 g) for flavor. Additionally, you can add a few whole cookies on top as decoration.
Serving
Before serving, take the dessert out of the fridge for 10–15 minutes to let the topping soften slightly (it will be easier to cut). When cutting, use a long, sharp knife dipped in warm water and wipe the blade between cuts to achieve clean slices.
Fun Fact
The concept of "mother-in-law's revenge" in the name of the dessert comes from humorous culinary traditions, where sweet dishes often had provocative names — these desserts were often intense in flavor or took on surprising forms to attract attention. No-bake versions have become popular due to their simplicity and impressive appearance.
Best for
Tips
Serve chilled, with a cup of espresso or coffee with milk. Add a bit of fresh orange zest to each piece for contrast or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a warm-cold version. Cutting with a warm knife gives the slices a perfect appearance.
Store in the refrigerator covered or in a closed container for 3–4 days. Do not freeze (gelatin and cream will change texture). If the topping becomes too hard after prolonged chilling, set the dessert aside for 15–20 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly.
📸 Ugotowane przez społeczność
Zaloguj się, aby dodać zdjęcieDodaj zdjęcie gotowej potrawy
Po zatwierdzeniu przez moderatora otrzymasz 10 punktów doświadczenia.
Nikt jeszcze nie dodał zdjęcia. Bądź pierwszy!
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment on this recipe!
Add a comment