Last-Minute Mont Blancs

3/4 cup heavy or whipping cream
1 qt good quality vanilla ice cream transferred to the refrigerator from the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes before using
One 8.75 ounce can Faugier Chestnut Spread  (See market tip.)
6 tsp dark rum
2 tbsp plus 2 tsp coarsely crumbled vanilla meringues (See market tip.)
Unsweetened cocoa powder for sprinkling

4 martini glasses or 4 wide-mouthed wine glasses

1.Place the cream in a medium mixing bowl and with an electric mixer beat until soft peaks form. Set cream aside.

2.Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop out two medium (not large) scoops of vanilla ice cream and place them in the center of each martini or wine glass.

3.Arrange 5 generous teaspoons of chestnut spread equidistantly around the base of the ice cream in each of the glasses. Drizzle the ice cream and the chestnut spread in each glass with 1 1/2 teaspoons of rum.

4.Mound 1/3 cup of the whipped cream over the ice cream leaving a glimpse of the chestnut spread visible in each of the glasses. Sprinkle each serving with 2 teaspoons of the meringue crumbles and then dust with some cocoa powder. Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Market tips:

Clement Faugier chestnut spread, a well known French brand, works well in this recipe. You can find it in specialty food shops and on Amazon. You’ll need the smaller 8.75 oz can.(You’ll have some leftover; it’s delicious folded into whipped cream along with some rum.) Check it out here.

Trader Joe’s sells clear boxes of Vanilla Meringues.

Copyright Betty Rosbottom 2023