Coconut-Roasted Pineapple Dacquoise
You know it’s summer in the South when the churches start advertising that they’re “prayer conditioned.” The rest of the year, they call you to the Lord’s bosom. But summer is about escaping Satan’s armpit.
Here, keeping cool is a science, an art and a priority. When I was a kid, my parents had a wall-unit air conditioner in their bedroom. On those days when it was so hot you wanted to peel off your skin and sit around in your bones – when popsicles and bare feet weren’t cutting it – they’d let me and my sister run into that bedroom, close the door, flop on the bed and stay in there long enough to “let the sweat dry.” Pure luxury.
So, when I saw that the heat index was going to stay in the hundreds, I knew it was the right time to take on this Tuesdays with Dorie pick, a Coconut-Roasted Pineapple Dacquoise that requires several indoor hours of indoor work – whipping, folding, baking, melting, chilling, slicing, roasting, toasting, assembling and refrigerating. That’s a lot of quality time spent avoiding sweat. And the result is worth the effort. Crispy discs of nut meringue layered with a creamy white chocolate ganache and roasted pineapple slices that are sweet and still juicy. Surrounded with toasted coconut. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself scraping the dish and contemplating another slice, because all of those tropical flavors make this dacquoise seem surprisingly light. If you have people you need to impress this summer, or you want to look productive while you’re staying inside for a “Facts of Life” marathon, you really can’t go wrong with this dessert. Especially if your idea of heaven once included popsicles.
For the recipe, visit Andrea of Andrea in the Kitchen, or pick up a copy of Dorie Greenspan’s “Baking: From My Home to Yours.”
I don't even understand why they bother measuring the temperature after 85 degrees. And for the love of God, keep your heat index to yourself! I don't need to know that it feels like pee outside… well, if you have a fever! I already know that! Your "facts" don't make it feel better! But that dacquoise looks heavenly. I'd try it once or twice.
I thought it was very light, too, despite what I'm sure was not a light calorie count. I really, really liked it, but did sub in plain whipped cream for the white chocolate ganache.
Absolutely gorgeous.
I checked your blog first today as I just could not wait to see how yours turned out this week with all the chit chat we had back and forth. But you weren't here yet, so I was very excited to return from my swim and find you POSTED…what a great photo and your meringue layers look perfect. I sort of liked my goof in measuring as that meant the meringue was thick and crunchy and I loved that the best! Thank goodness you told me just to let it keep baking unless it was getting too brown…I would have chickened out and pulled it at 3 hours and it was not crunchy then for sure. Thanks! Yours looks perfect.
This looks absolutely delicious! After the great reviews from all the TWDers, I feel like I MUST make these NOW!
Mmm, I bet that roasted pineapple is just like a cherry on top. Looks delicious!
That cake is perfect for summer, and the pineapple looks delicious!
That looks great! I agree–thank goodness for air-conditioning. It's been ridiculously hot here (central TX), too.
That looks darn good! Oh, my goodness but its been hotter than Hades here. I can't imagine not having A/C. I don't know how we did "back then"! :)
~ingrid
oooh that looks so pretty! i'm impressed you were brave enough to turn your oven on in that heat!
Yours looks great! And you're right, it DID taste really light and fresh, despite the gobs of heavy cream and sugar involved.
This sounds like an edible pina colada. Must try now!!!
Wow, this looks fantastic – I'm afraid I'll have to give it a try. I don't bake alot because my husband eats one piece & then he's done with it and I get to eat the rest. Oh darn! It's hot here too (Tucson, AZ) & please don't say it's a dry heat. Monsoons are coming, Ick!
Yum! Your dacquoise looks great. I love "prayer conditioned". How funny.
it is surprisingly light (esp given the 3 cups of cream and 14 oz of chcolate!!). looks lovely!!
I have seen this on so many TWD blogs and it just looks so delicious! My bday is coming up in a few weeks and I'm thinking I will make this for myself. Yours is beautiful!
Yours looks wonderful- much neater than mine turned out! I agree…TOTALLY worth the oven time in this heat.
My favorite is the sign (no, billboard) on I-65 south of Montgomery that we see coming home from the beach: "Go to Church or the Devil Will Get You," complete with a picture of an actual devil – red, pitchfork, the works. I guess if the carrots of the "prayer conditioning" doesn't work . . . In any case, your dacquoise looks perfect. I'll definitely need to try this one sometime when I get a little braver.
Your dacquoise looks amazing! I loved this one! I cracked up at your "prayer conditioned" paragraph. I miss those types of things from Nashville. They just don't have signs like that up here in New England.
Yes, I remember those days. We had one wall conditioner – in the living room – and an attic fan. Hot, sticky, airless – and I am still there, too. And it is tooooo hot to bake in central Louisiana. But I wouldn't mind the 6 hours in the fridge. You are dedicated to bake in this monstrous heat.
And it looks delicious.