Chef John's Fresh Berry Fool

4.7
(9)

While certainly not light on the calorie counter, this fresh berry fool (from the French 'fouler' meaning 'to mash') is shockingly airy on the palate. The contrast between the rich, fluffy cream and the syrupy, tangy fruit makes this so much greater than the sum of its parts. Fresh berries are a classic, but this would work with peeled, diced, ripe peaches.

2
Prep Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 cup fresh raspberries

  • 1 cup fresh blackberries, broken in half

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

  • ¼ cup white sugar

  • 1 teaspoon minced lemon zest

  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1 cup chilled heavy cream

  • ¼ cup crème fraîche

  • 1 tablespoon white sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1 cup crushed shortbread cookies

Directions

  1. Place raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice; stir until sugar is mixed with berries and juices begin to form. Cover bowl and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

  2. Place heavy cream and crème fraîche in a cold bowl. Add 1 tablespoon sugar and vanilla extract; whisk until soft peaks and sharp lines form, 5 to 8 minutes.

  3. Place some cookie crumbs in the bottom of each serving dish. Spoon in some macerated berries and a layer of whipped cream. Repeat layers, ending with a sprinkle of cookie crumbs.

Cook's Note:

You can substitute plain yogurt or sour cream for the crème fraîche but, if you do, wait until the whipping cream is almost completely whipped before adding.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

646 Calories
42g Fat
65g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 646
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 42g 53%
Saturated Fat 21g 104%
Cholesterol 113mg 38%
Sodium 287mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 65g 24%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 30g
Protein 6g 13%
Vitamin C 41mg 46%
Calcium 83mg 6%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 273mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.