New York chef Dominique Ansel is one of the most innovative bakers on the planet right now, so it was wonderful to hear that he was opening a new bakery in the heart of Belgravia, London. Ansel has been famed for pushing the pastry boundaries for some time now, with his exploits in the creation of the Cronut® earning him significant attention from both food critics and fanatics alike.
“Dominique Ansel Bakery” (CC BY 2.0) by LWYang
The croissant-doughnut hybrid caused a real stir on social media upon its release at the Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York in spring 2013. So unique and impressive was the response to the Cronut® that TIME Magazine opted to label it as one of its favourite inventions of 2013. Never one to rest on his laurels, Ansel strives to keep his Cronuts fresh for his adoring fans by bringing out new seasonal fillings each month. Over Christmas 2017, the London-based Dominique Ansel Bakery featured a roasted plum jam Cronut, including indulgent creamy eggnog ganache.
However, there is so much more to this bakery than the Cronut®. They’re continuing to amaze and excite their customers with fun and creative baked delights. Let’s take a look at some of their latest creations on offer at their London bakery.
The Cookie Shot
“Allison+Partners Dominique Ansel Cronut” (CC BY 2.0) by nan palmero
Fancy a shot glass made out of a chocolate chip cookie? This shot glass you can eat too once you’ve taken a sip out of it! Dominique Ansel’s Cookie Shots are filled with homemade Tahitian vanilla-infused milk that is extra rich and indulgent. If you are looking for the perfect mid-morning pick-me-up after a busy time shopping on the high street or even at work, this is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Christmas Morning Cereal
The bakery’s limited-edition temptations also extended to gourmet cereal this Christmas. Their very own cereal, featuring caramelised milk chocolate, crispy puffed rice, smoked cinnamon and whole sweet hazelnuts went down an absolute storm with the locals and was offered with milk, yoghurt and even ice cream.
The Blossoming Hot Chocolate
If you are someone who appreciates the intricate, you will no doubt be mesmerised by Ansel’s Blossoming Hot Chocolate. On the face of it, it just looks like a premium cup of rich hot chocolate. However, the bakery’s servers then place a tiny piece of marshmallow on top at the last minute and the after effects are amazing. The marshmallow reacts with the chocolate and blooms into a beautiful flower that’s a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. So romantic is this drink that a man once proposed with a cup of Blossoming Hot Chocolate by hiding an engagement ring inside the marshmallow flower.
Frozen S’mores
For those who adore the concept of toasting their own marshmallows in front of an open fire, but don’t actually own an open fire, Ansel’s Frozen S’mores are a clever and delicious treat, perfect for cosy nights in. The Tahitian influence remains with this creation, with a core of its vanilla ice cream before being coated in chocolate wafers. The wafers are then encased in gorgeously gooey honey marshmallow that is toasted on a smoked willow wood branch on an open flame. It’s like a log cabin weekend break on a stick!
We’ve got people like Dominique Ansel to thank for taking pastry to the next level. You can give his signature creations a try at any of his open bakeries in New York, Tokyo, London and Los Angeles.
