The Most Elegant French Dessert for the Holidays #authenticfrench #recipe #freerecipe

Îles Flottantes — or “Floating Islands” — is one of the most elegant French desserts.
Soft meringue islands floating on silky vanilla custard, with candied almonds for crunch.
This version is fragrant with Grand Marnier, vanilla, orange blossom water, and citrus zest.

It’s a special-occasion dessert, unforgettable and so worth the time.

🍊 FULL RECIPE

Servings: 4–6
Total time: ~45 minutes + chilling
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated cost: ~$8.50 USD

Candied Almonds:
• 1 handful almonds
• 1 tsp almond oil
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp almond flour

Custard:
• 325 g milk
• ½ vanilla bean
• 15 g toasted almond powder
• 125 g heavy cream
• 5 ml orange blossom water
• 25 ml Grand Marnier
• 65 g sugar
• 5 egg yolks
• ¼ lemon zest
• ¼ orange zest

Islands:
• 125 g egg whites
• 1 pinch salt
• 55 g sugar
• 5 ml orange blossom water

Instructions
Cook almonds in almond oil with sugar + salt; cool and break into pieces.
Warm milk with vanilla + almond powder, infuse 15 min → strain → adjust to 350 ml.
Add cream, orange blossom water, Grand Marnier → boil.
Whisk yolks + sugar → pale.
Temper with hot milk mixture → cook to 183°F. Strain and Chill over ice.
Whip egg whites with sugar + orange blossom → form quenelles → bake 4–5 min at 320°F.
Torch lightly to brown.
Serve islands on custard + top with candied almonds.

👉 More FREE French recipes: https://frenchcookinginamerica.com

🎄 Holiday Recipe Series playlist included: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3MlAd3cik4&list=PLB-ixTbPQHZIldPXVB544_kWVryW-oC34