Enjoy this twist on traditional Danish cream buns/puffs - Flødeboller - made with shortbread cookies, glazed with chocolate, and topped with a "mountain" of airy meringue with a hidden raspberry inside. Pure indulgence!
You. Will. Love. It. Well, Valentine's Day is approaching, and it brings pink, red, and white desserts to the table.
I thought of making some individually served sweet treats with a beautiful combination of flavors and a gorgeous presentation.
The presentation of desserts is essential. I wanted to create something that could get mouth-watering, just looking at the dessert.
I read a lot about Copenhagen’s Flødeboller, famous in Denmark as French Merveilleux is famous in Paris.
I decided to make a twist on a classic Danish sweet treat - Flødeboller. I omitted chocolate coating, added a fresh raspberry inside, and topped with a swirl of meringue.
As a final touch, I burned the meringue and sprinkled it with ground pistachios and crushed freeze-dried raspberries.
As for flavors, this cute dessert has a well-known raspberry/ chocolate/ pistachio combination. And I strongly believe this combo is unbeatable!
What is Flødeboller?
Flødeboller, meaning cream buns in English, are traditional Danish chocolate-coated marshmallow treats.
They are originally made with a biscuit base such as a plain wafer or homemade shortbread, or marzipan.
The dessert is then topped with marshmallow-like filling: cream in the past and egg whites-based filling nowadays.
The traditional Flødeboller stuffing is often called cream buns foam and is made with egg whites, water, sugar, and glucose syrup.
Then the dessert (also called Danish cream puffs) is coated in a hard shell of chocolate. The coating varies from white chocolate to dark chocolate, with sprinkles or chopped nuts.
Why you should try this recipe
- This twisted Flødeboller recipe is easy and fun to make: kids love to participate.
- The dessert has a magical and romantic touch due to red raspberries hidden in the meringue.
- Making shortbread cookies in advance and glazing them with chocolate saves time on the day of serving. Top the glazed cookies with berries, pipe, and burn the meringue before serving.
- Using this shortbread cookie recipe and different cookie cutters open up possibilities to create your own cookie recipes.
Ingredients
For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.
Butter: use unsalted softened butter. Take it out of the fridge 1 to 2 hours before you start.
Flour: the recipe calls to all-purpose flour.
Icing sugar: make it at home with a coffee grinder or use powdered sugar.
Granulated sugar: to make the meringue, process granulated sugar with a food processor for a few seconds. It makes the sugar superfine. Or use caster sugar instead.
Baking powder: it is added as a leavening agent to the cookie dough. The best to use is aluminum-free baking powder.
Dark chocolate: use bittersweet chocolate or dark chocolate 70 to 80% cacao.
Grapeseed oil: it is the most neutral and flavorless oil to make a chocolate glaze.
Egg whites: separate egg whites from the yolks while the eggs are chilled. Then bring the whites to room temperature before making the meringue.
Fresh raspberries: these tangy berries balance the sweetness of the meringue. Replace fresh raspberries with fresh blackberries if preferred.
Freeze-dried raspberries and ground pistachios: you can omit these ingredients if desired.
How to make Flødeboller
To make shortbread cookies, place powdered (icing) sugar, butter, flour, and baking powder in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix (photo 1).
Add water and knead the dough until smooth (photo 2). Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 F/190 C. Take the cookie dough out of the fridge and roll it out between two parchment paper sheets until the thickness is about 3 mm.
Refrigerate for a few minutes again. Using a fluted cookie cutter, cut out dough circles, approximately 2.5 inch/7 cm in diameter (photo 3).
Arrange cut pieces on a baking sheet covered with parchment or a silicone bread baking mat (photo 4)...
and bake for about 15 minutes (photos 5-6).
To make the chocolate glaze, toast pistachios in the oven for 15 minutes at 300 F/150 C.
Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and melt it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time it stops.
Add grapeseed oil and chopped pistachios (photo 7).
Wait for a few minutes for the glaze to cool. Dip each cookie into the chocolate, arrange it on a wire rack and place a raspberry on each cookie over the glaze (photo 8). Let the chocolate set.
To make the meringue, beat egg whites at room temperature, using an electric or a stand mixer.
Add granulated sugar three times and continue to whisk until the meringue is glossy (photo 9).
Gently add the sifted powdered (icing) sugar and mix with a rubber spatula. Place the ready meringue in a pastry bag with an open star pastry tip - Wilton 1M.
To decorate, pipe the meringue over each raspberry (photo 10) and burn it with a blow torch.
Sprinkle the top of the meringue with ground pistachios and crushed freeze-dried raspberries (photo 11).
Attention: Due to the use of raw egg whites, the dessert is not advisable for pregnant women, babies, and small kids.
Expert tips
- To make ground pistachios, place nuts in a food processor and pulse a few times to achieve the fine grind.
- Crush freeze-dried raspberries using a food processor. Transfer crushes berries to a mini-strainer and make the powder if you prefer. This step is optional.
- To get a beautiful texture on the outer side of cookies, bake them on a silicone bread baking mat. Bake cookies on parchment if you do not have the mat.
- Top the glazed cookies with raspberries right after the application of chocolate or later; this step is up to you.
- If you are short on time, omit glazing cookies with chocolate. Leave cookies plain.
- Replace fresh raspberries with fresh blackberries, if you prefer.
Love Valentine's Day treats? Try these next!
- Pink Praline (French Pink Pralines)
- Heart-Shaped Puzzle Cookies
- Raspberry Oreo Cheesecake
- Browse all Valentine's Day Recipes
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for my latest updates.
PrintRecipe card
Flødeboller - Danish Cream Buns
Enjoy this twist on traditional Danish cream buns/puffs - Flødeboller - made with shortbread cookies, glazed with chocolate, and topped with a "mountain" of airy meringue with a hidden raspberry inside. Pure indulgence!
- Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Yield: 20 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 5.3 oz (150 g) butter, softened
- 2 cups (250 g) flour
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon (70 g) powdered (icing) sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1.7 fl. oz. (50 ml) water
For the chocolate glaze:
- 3.5 oz. (100 g) dark chocolate
- 5 ½ teaspoons (25 g) grapeseed oil
- 1 oz. (30 g) pistachios
For the meringue:
- 6 large egg whites (180 g)
- ⅔ cup + 2 tablespoons (180 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons (180 g) powdered (icing) sugar
For the decoration:
- fresh raspberries
- freeze-dried raspberries
- ground pistachios
* If needed, please refer to Baking Conversion Charts.
Instructions
-
To make shortbread cookies, place powdered (icing) sugar, butter, flour, and baking powder in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix. Add water and knead the dough until smooth. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
-
Preheat oven to 375 F/190 C. Take the cookie dough out of the fridge and roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper until the thickness is about 3 mm. Refrigerate for a few minutes again. Using a fluted cookie cutter, cut out circles of dough, approximately 2.5 inch/7 cm in diameter. Arrange cut pieces on a baking sheet covered with parchment or a silicone bread baking mat and bake for about 15 minutes.
-
To make the chocolate glaze, toast pistachios in the oven for 15 minutes at 300 F/150 C. Break dark chocolate in small pieces and melt it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time it stops. Add grapeseed oil and chopped pistachios. Wait for a few minutes for the glaze to cool. Dip each cookie into the chocolate, arrange on a wire rack and place a raspberry on each cookie over the glaze. Let the chocolate set.
-
To make the meringue, beat egg whites at room temperature, using an electric or a stand mixer. Add granulated sugar in three times and continue to whisk until the meringue is glossy. Gently add the sifted powdered (icing) sugar and mix with a rubber spatula. Place the ready meringue in a pastry bag with an open star pastry tip - Wilton 1M.
- To decorate, pipe the meringue over each raspberry and burn it with a blow torch. Sprinkle top of the meringue with ground pistachios and crushed freeze dried raspberries
Notes
- To make ground pistachios, place nuts in a food processor and pulse a few times to achieve the fine grind.
- Crush freeze-dried raspberries using a food processor. Transfer crushes berries to a mini-strainer and make the powder if you prefer. This step is optional.
- To get a beautiful texture on the outer side of cookies, bake them on a silicone bread baking mat. Bake cookies on the parchment if you do not have the mat.
- Top the glazed cookies with raspberries right after the application of chocolate or later; this step is up to you.
- If you are short on time, omit glazing cookies with chocolate. Leave cookies plain.
- Replace fresh raspberries with fresh blackberries, if you prefer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Flødeboller
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 22.7 g
- Sodium: 59 mg
- Fat: 7.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2.7 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.
The recipe was adapted from https://www.femina.dk/. It was originally published on January 14, 2020. The recipe has been revised to include improved content and photos. All pictures are mine.
Pina Bresciani says
I LOVE Valentine's day-themed desserts. These are just so gorgeous and perfect for the special day. Thank you for sharing!
Irina says
Thanks, Pina! Such the special day deserves a special dessert!:)
Jenn says
These look amazing and just the special treat I want to make for my special someone!
Irina says
You will love it, Jenn! Happy baking and enjoy!:)
Suzy says
These are AMAZING! That meringue is just perfect on top of the cookies!
Irina says
Thank you, Suzy! The meringue hides a raspberry in each cookie. Some magic happens...
kim says
Love this recipe! So delicious and they will be so perfect for Valentine's Day!
Irina says
Thank you, Kim! They are a great treat on this special day! It's true:)
Michelle says
Beautiful and elegant treat. Would love to share these with my hubby for Valentines day!
Irina says
Happy baking and enjoy, Michelle! Thanks for your comment:)
Danielle Wolter says
These are like perfection! Who doesn't love a shortbread cookie and these did not disappoint!
Irina says
Danielle, I am happy that you like the recipe. Thank you for letting me know:)
Katherine says
These are amazing! I love the cloud of meringue with its hidden raspberry secret.
Irina says
Thank you, Katherine. I loved the idea to hide a raspberry. It is magic and romantic.
Natalie says
What a lovely Valentine's treat. These cookies look absolutely delicious. I will make this for my family. I'm sure they will love it.
Irina says
Happy baking and enjoy, Natalie! Thank you for your comment!
Amy says
These look so impressive, I love them!
Irina says
Thank you, Amy!
Demeter says
Such a gorgeous presentation! These are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.
Irina says
Thank you, Demeter. These cookies are the best party idea, too!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I love your recipe, I'll be making it again!
Irina says
Thanks for letting me know that you loved the recipe. Just enjoy!:)
Beth says
Such a delicious dessert! I love how pretty they are too!
Irina says
Thank you so much, Beth!
Emily Liao says
These cookies look so good and love the meringue on top! The perfect Valentines dessert 🙂
Irina says
Thank you, Emily! I hope you will make them for the upcoming holiday:)
Tristin Rieken says
WHAT A STUNNER! These flavors are all so delicious by themselves but all together this is just WOW. Everyone I served them to were raving about how they were the most beautiful and delicious cookie they've ever tasted. A keeper!
Irina says
Thank you so much, Tristin, for your sweet comment. I really love and appreciate your feedback.
Sapana says
These look amazing and I love how easy they are to make -- thank you!
Irina says
Thank you, Sapana! I really appreciate your comment!
Aparna says
These look AMAZING! I loved that meringue!
Irina says
Thanks, Aparna. Please, enjoy the recipe. 🙂
Jo says
I made these yesterday, and it was a hit! My kids love it!
Irina says
Oh, great, Jo. Thanks for letting me know!
Andrea Metlika says
What a beautiful and divine dessert! Definitely a must for Valentine's day.
Irina says
I hope you will make it, Andrea. Thanks for visiting the recipe.
Beth says
Yummy! My daughter is going to love this recipe! I can't wait to give this a try!
Irina says
Perfect, Beth! Happy baking and enjoy the recipe. 🙂
Farah Maizar says
These cookies look absolutely perfect! I can't wait to try them out; they are beautiful. Thanks for the recipe!
Irina says
You are very welcome, Farah. Please, enjoy the recipe!
Chevy Wellshore says
The wonder food and the recipes I found. Thank you for your time.
Irina says
Thank you very much for visiting the recipes and your kind words, Chevy!!