This Blood Orange Fool may just be the easiest dessert ever! It’s made with five ingredients, comes together in about 15 minutes and looks super fancy.
Let me introduce you to the easiest dessert ever known to man: FOOL.
Oh, you’ve already heard of it? Ok well I hadn’t until I stumbled upon a recipe on Pinterest and thought ‘what? that’s it? I could do that!’
Also, this blood orange fool is absolutely on the same flavor wavelength as my almond pancakes with satsuma compote. Almond+orange—I’m into it.
Welp, ‘This Is Us’ started back up last night—did you watch it? DON’T TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED. I’ve been trying to go to bed around 10 lately and I’ve been doing a pretty fantastic job, so Miguel and I will be catching up with the show tonight. But yes, I’m excited. Admittedly, my favorite way to wind down most nights is with TV, and it’s especially nice if it’s a show I genuinely enjoy.
So what is “fool” you ask? Well, well, well let me tell YOU. It’s essentially heavy whipping cream whipped and whipped into a creamy texture (stiff peaks) and then combined with sugar and fruit. Like, that’s it. I decided to be the slightest bit fancy and add a bit of almond extract (obsessed) and mascarpone as well, which gives this recipe a thicker texture and even better flavor (in my opinion).
The real trick is being patient with the heavy whipping cream while you’re getting it to form stiff peaks. I don’t have a stand mixer (one day!!), so I just used my electric mixer and it took a good four minutes or so.
Tip: start on low for two minutes before beating the cream on high. You want the cream to be cold, aka fresh out of the refrigerator, and beating on low will allow the cream to stay cooler longer. ALSO, if you happen to remember, stick your beaters in the freezer for an hour or so before you make this, which will also help the whipping cream whip into whipped cream (WHOA say that five times fast).
Last thing: the pomegranate seeds are completely optional. I loved adding them, but if you don’t have any on hand/can’t find the seeds alone, you can omit them. The main flavor is the orange and almond for sure.
Ok that’s it! Enjoy you fool, fools! <—had to.
- 3 blood oranges, peeled
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or sub honey)
- 8 oz. heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz. mascarpone cheese
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Place oranges and syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil; lower to a simmer and simmer for 10 minutes or so.
- Remove oranges from stove and place HALF of them in a blender; blend until smooth and set aside.
- Whip the whipping cream with a standing or electric mixer until it forms stiff peaks (start on low and then put mixer on high--also, be patient! This could take a few minutes).
- Add in the mascarpone and almond extract and mix to combine.
- The final step is the presentation: layer whipped cream, blended fruit and whole fruit into two or three cups until everything is gone.
- Top with crushed almonds and pomegranate seeds (optional).
- Enjoy!
Wow these pictures are simply amazing! Never heard of a fool dessert before 😀 but it looks really delicious!
Okay can I just take a moment to say I LOVE seeing your pretty face (and hands duh) in these shots?! Would love to see more photos like that in future recipes 🙂
I haven’t bought a single blood orange yet this season…don’t hate 😛 But now I shalllllll so I can make this and not be a FOOL!!!
I know I’ve said this a bazillion times before but your photos are SO PRETTY!!! I’ve been loving the dark + moody vibes!! 😀
I’ve actually never heard of a fool before but you’re right, it’s ridiculously easy! The blood orange almond combo sounds amazing too.
I’ll also be watching This Is Us tonight, eek! When you mentioned it I was hoping you would say what happened, hehe. I’m kind of obsessed with the dad in the show.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Winter Kale Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing
Heck yes this looks amazing! FOOL me, baby! I’ve never had a fool and this is the first I’ve heard of the delish treat, so I’m all about giving it a whirl! I love all-things citrus and I’m digging your orange-almond combo, too. Sheer brilliance 😉
thanks Julia! I’m going through an orange-almond flavor obsession lately and I can’t stop!
I remember when I first saw a Fool recipe on Pinterest-I totally clicked on it because of the name. I LOVE the addition of mascarpone cheese though-that stuff is so good. Also I got super excited because I thought the desserts were made in beakers. But then I started thinking they’re probably French Presses. I love your photography-such cool prep shots.
Meg | Meg is Well recently posted…Citrus, Kale, and Grain Salad
Thanks Meg, and your’e right–they’re beakers!
I love a fool! (hee hee my husband is a fool, get it? okay, sorry. i’ll stop now)
But really, I do love a good fool. I usually think of them as a summer thing, but this wintery version clearly rocks.
annie recently posted…Rainbow Baked Potatoes
They such a summer dessert, but I had the urge to make one NOW, so I did 😀 And yes I love a fool too haha
This sounds amazing! I’ve never heard of this before, but it sounds perfect. Time to locate my hand mixer….
It’s SO easy you’d love it.