Honey Fool Recipes

Web Moms Menu

Honey Fool Recipes

The origins of April Fool's Day, also called All Fool's Day, are murky, but there's no dispute that this international jest fest has been celebrated for centuries. While practical jokes are the norm, why not usher in spring with your own honey-sweet surprise?

Fruit fool, a classic English dessert dating back almost as far as the holiday itself, is a simple combination of fruit and cream blended together into an appealing parfait. Yet there's nothing old-fashioned about pairing tart fruit, naturally aromatic honey and lush, silky cream or custard. The simplicity and purity makes fools ideal for today's kitchen and sweetening this luscious dessert with honey means it can be made from wholesome, unrefined ingredients.

Tips for Creating a Fruit Fool:

Simple or elaborate, healthy or indulgent, breakfast or dessert; follow these tips for creating honeyed fruit fools:

Use a ratio of 1 part honey-sweetened fruit to 2 parts whipped cream, custard, vanilla pudding, yogurt, or a combination of your favorite dairy products such as mascarpone or sour cream.

Most any fresh or frozen fruit is suitable; however, tart, bright-flavored fruits such as berries, stone fruits, rhubarb or cranberries are best.

The honey-sweetened fruit may be briefly cooked, stewed, crushed or simply left to macerate before folding in cream.

Select a varietal honey to complement your chosen fruit. Honey varietals from fruit blossoms such as Orange Blossom, Blueberry, Cranberry and Raspberry work well, along with mild honeys such as Clover or Wildflower.

Stir citrus zest, grated ginger or a favorite spice into the fruit to add complex flavor elements.

For an elegant dessert, spike the fruit with a dash of spirit or liqueur.

Gently fold the fruit and cream together to leave streaks of bright color accenting the pale cream.

Present the fool in a goblet, adding layers of whole fruit for an impressive presentation.

Serve immediately or chill for a few hours before serving.

For textural contrast, serve alongside crisp cookies with flavors that compliment such as honey-thyme shortbreads.

Honey Stewed Rhubarb Fool

4 Servings

4 cups rhubarb, chopped (preferably pink spring rhubarb)
1/2 cup honey*
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp. ginger, freshly grated or orange zest
2 cups whipped cream or vanilla pudding

Directions:
Combine the fruit, honey, water and ginger or zest in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until tender, 15 to 25 minutes depending on size and tenderness of rhubarb. Cool completely. Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold the fruit into the custard or cream. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

*Clover or Orange blossom honey is recommended.

Honey Macerated Berry Fool

4 Servings

1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and/or blueberries
1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. honey*, divided
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup cr�me fra�che or sour cream

Directions: In a mixing bowl, lightly crush the berries with the back of spoon, fork or potato masher. Sweeten with honey to taste, about 1/3 cup, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Whisk in the cr�me fra�che and one tablespoon honey. Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold the fruit into the cream. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

*Wildflower or Clover honey is recommended.

For more information on cooking with pure honey, visit www.honey.com. To find a locally produced or special honey variety, visit www.honeylocator.com. For more information on honeyed fruit fool recipes or photography, please contact Megan Bykowski at (608) 241-4141, ext. 265 or mbykowski@stephanbrady.com.

kids-image Let's Get Cooking!

While there are many reasons for teaching kids to cook -- less expensive than eating out, preserves family heritage, etc, the most important reason is that by teaching your child to cook, you're giving him a better chance to be a healthy grown-up. Enabling your child with the ability to appreciate freshness and to transform ingredients into tasty foods opens their eyes to making wiser choices about what to eat...

::Click here to start the experience!

Our Cookbook Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Essential Best Foods Cookbook.

Enter today!

Home || Newsletters || Advertising || Services || Submissions || Contact Us || Media Opportunities || Link To Us || Staff