A confection of Lyon, created in 1960, inspired by the silk cushion; a green marzipan shell holds a curacao-flavored chocolate ganache. Serve it with espresso.
Coussin de Lyon (Marzipan and Chocolate Cushions)
Dessert
Candy confections
Medium
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A small cushion of orange-liqueur dark chocolate ganache wrapped in thin green marzipan. This is our simplified home version of the Lyon specialty. Makes 24 pieces in about 5 hr 5 min.
Prep
60 min
Cook
5 min
Cooling
4 hr
Total
5 hr 5 min
Yield
24 pieces
Diet
Gluten free
Ingredients
Adjust yield
pieces
Scales from a half to a double batch; give a bigger batch a little more time.
- 7 oz (200 g)dark chocolate (65 to 70%), finely chopped
- ⅔ cup (150 ml)heavy cream
- 2 tbsp (30 g)unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp (15 ml)orange liqueur (curacao or Grand Marnier)
- 12 ½ oz (350 g)marzipan (store-bought, soft)
- ¼ tsp (1 ml)green gel food coloring
- 2 ½ tbsp (20 g)powdered sugar, for rolling
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Instructions
- Heat the cream to a gentle simmer and pour over the chopped chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes, then stir until glossy. Stir in the butter and orange liqueur.
- Pour into an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan lined with parchment, about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) thick. Let set at room temperature, then chill until firm, about 3 hours.
- Cut the ganache into 24 squares about 3/4 inch (2 cm).
- Knead the marzipan with the green coloring until the color is even. Roll between parchment sheets, dusting with powdered sugar, to 1/8 inch (3 mm), and cut 24 squares about 2.5 inches (6 cm).
- Place a ganache square in the center of each marzipan square. Bring up all four corners and pinch the seams to make a cushion, smoothing the edges.
- Rest uncovered 1 hour to firm the surface. Tidy any cracks with a drop of water.
Tips
- Marzipan must be fresh; knead in a few drops of water if it cracks.
- Chill the ganache fully so it cuts cleanly.
- Replace the liqueur with orange extract for an alcohol-free version.
- Cream-based ganache needs refrigeration; do not leave out more than 2 hours.
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Recipe FAQ
How long does it take to make coussin de lyon (marzipan and chocolate cushions)?
Plan on 60 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking, plus 4 hours to chill. The recipe makes 24 pieces.
How should I store coussin de lyon (marzipan and chocolate cushions)?
Keep in a sealed box in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks; bring to room temperature before serving.
Can I make coussin de lyon (marzipan and chocolate cushions) ahead?
Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.
Estimated · per serving
Nutrition
Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.
100
Calories / serving
6.4g
Fat
9.6g
Carbs
1.3g
Protein
8.4g
Sugar
Whole recipe (24 servings): ~2400 cal · 154g fat · 230g carbs · 31g protein · 202g sugar
Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.
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