We all have them – you know, those dreams where you show up to class and it’s the final – and you haven’t been to class all semester. And then you wake up, relieved to find that yes you did graduate and you did not flunk the final.
For me those dreams are a little different. In my dreams, instead of showing up to class for the final, in my version it’s people who show up for dinner that I have invited … and not prepared for.
EEEK!!! Yes, it is my own, personal version of the dream!
I had that dream the other night and it got me thinking. What would I do if that really did happen? Of course the answer depends upon lots of things – what’s in the fridge, freezer and pantry and how good the local take out is! But just for grins (because I’ve been a little bored lately!) I decided to take a look through said fridge, freezer and pantry and see what I could come up with.
And to bolster my courage I did what any self respecting “foodie” would do- I started with dessert first! I figured if I could nail that, the rest would be a piece of cake (no pun intended!).
My search led me to some unusual unlikely ingredients. I had some canned blackberries, a small box of fresh blackberries and a carton of cream. So what to do with these things? Well, I could make a pie or ice cream – but in the interests of my little experiment I thought I should stick with something quicker and easier – because if I really did have people over, waiting 4 hours for ice cream to harden up probably wouldn’t go over real well. Ah, I thought, how about a fool?
It was perfect – the dish and of course, the name! Seems I have a thing for recipe titles this month – first Butcher Shop Bolognese and now Blackberry Fool.
And yes, this does have me a bit worried. But back to the fool.
If you aren’t familiar with it, fools are probably one of the easiest desserts on the planet and require only three ingredients – fruit, a little sugar and heavy whipping cream. Puree the fruit, add a little sugar if needed, whip the cream and stir the whole lot together.
Which is pretty much what I did – with a couple of small tweaks – namely cooking down the canned berries and adding a healthy dose of Chambord to them.
So, if this dream (or nightmare in my case) actually happens, I’ve got the perfect dessert… with the perfect name!!!
As you can tell, this recipe is very flexible. It easily could be made with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or peaches! If using canned berries, you could also just drain them and skip reducing the syrup if you are pressed for time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups canned, frozen or fresh blackberries (if using canned, this is about 2 - 15 oz. cans)
- 3/4 cup fresh blackberries (optional)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup sugar or to taste
- 2 1/2 Tbsp. Chambord or 1 tsp. vanilla
- fresh mint for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine 1/2 cup fresh blackberries with one half tablespoon of Chambord (if using) and 2 tsp. of sugar and set aside.
- If using canned berries, place berries with the syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring berries to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the syrup is reduced by half. Cool and then puree.
- If using fresh berries, place in a blender and puree. If using frozen berries, defrost the berries first and then puree in a blender. Once the berries are pureed, add sugar by tablespoons until they are sweetened to your taste. Add 2 Tbsp. Chambord if using or the vanilla extract. Push pureed berries through a sieve into a small bowl. Discard the seeds.
- In the bowl of a large mixer, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold in the berry puree mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Place a spoonful of the fresh berries in the bottom of 6 small dessert bowls, glasses or goblets. Spoon the fool on top, dividing equally between the bowls. Garnish with additional fresh blackberries and fresh mint if desired.
- This can be made two hours ahead and refrigerated. Remove from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving!
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum!
Love the healthy dose of Chambord to make these fools extra special!
I have definitely had those school dreams of arriving to my final and not studying or attending class. I’ve had all sorts of variations of this type of dream. Regarding the fool…I could eat it every day!
Me too Allison! It’s way too tempting to have around!
Blackberries are my favorite! Gorgeous!
I love this! The pictures are beautiful as well, yummy… Great job Nancy!
What may start off as a nightmare definitely ends with something good. This fool looks wonderful, Nancy! They really are the perfect dessert for last-minute entertaining and are the perfect reason to have fresh or frozen berries on hand.
Oh Nancy, I am a fool for this fool! delicious and beautiful!
And who doesn’t need/want/love a boozy fool! I remember Gooseberry Fool as a child – delicious old fashioned British dessert. A little trick is to only purée half the fruit – mix it back in with the whole fruit and then combine with the whipped cream – for some reason this results in less separation and so you can make these a couple of hours in advance and refrigerate – enjoy x
Oooh…. going to have to remember that for this summer!! Great tip Lucy!!
I think I’m going to have to try a fool! I have never had one, but I love how simple it is. I will keep this in mind when a crowd shows up at my house with hungry appetites!
It definitely comes in handy Gloria – I love having recipes that I can make on the spur of the moment!
I hate to say it but I am usually unprepared and in a panic when I have expected and prepared for guests! Gorgeous dessert and I am a fool for blackberries (ha ha) and this fool is brilliant and delicious. What a great idea for an easy but luscious dessert.
Nice name and great idea!
I make a delicious fool each year with persimmons. I just love the texture. And it’s SO easy.
No matter how delicious a meal is I think I need just a little something sweet to round out the meal. This is just the perfect dessert to keep on hand for a planned or an impromptu meal. Good job.
Your photos really draws you in. I think I like the first one best, but the others are pretty good too.
No joke, I’ve been CRAVING a ‘fool’ for daaaaays! A blueberry one in particular, but I’d take this, in a second, the entire batch, right into my mouth! This is gorgeous, and the perfect last minute dessert just in case that ‘dream’ comes true.
Oh, boy, have I had that same dream! The final exam one. And another one – I dream that it’s Christmas morning and I haven’t bought gifts for anyone. Geez!
On a nicer note, however, this fool looks just delightful. Perfect for any dinner party, last minute or not.
I seriously have those dreams all the time, especially when I was still in school, UGH! Your Blackberry Fool looks so beautiful! Such a fun recipe for anytime of the year:-) Hugs, Terra
I’ve been having a recurring dream for almost 5 years now, where I’m about to graduate college, but then I’m called down to the registrar’s office and told I’m 15 credits short. Like you, I wake up in a small panic, then realize, ‘phew..I did graduate’. Most of the time, this dream comes from late night eating lol That said, I don’t care what time it is, I’d devour two of those blackberry fools, even if it meant ‘the dream’ again ;D
Ah, thanks Lisa!! My husband, who is not a “fruit as dessert” kind of guy even liked them!!
I have a similar dream. Only it is the first day of class and I don’t have a schedule and I am faced with so many doors. Behind one of the doors is the class I am supposed to go to. But w/o a schedule I just can’t find it. So I go to the lunchroom and eat a blackberry fool. I made that last part up. But I think it’s logical. GREG
I totally agree with you Greg!! LOL!!!
That is one sexy fool! Love the addition of Chambord… totally delectable! And I should say this would have you well prepared, in case
I can’t resit anything with Chambord in it and even better when it’s so super easy to make!