Broiled Caramelized Persimmons with Vanilla Maple Cream
Fuyu persimmons caramelized under the broiler with orange juice, cardamom, and warming spices, then topped with a silky vanilla maple cashew cream. The fruit develops deep, sweet edges while staying tender inside, contrasting beautifully with the cool, subtly sweet cream.
Ingredients
- 3 Fuyu persimmons
- ¼ cup orange juice, fresh
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- ½ vanilla bean vanilla bean, seeds scraped
- ⅝ cup raw cashews, soaked and drained
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ vanilla bean vanilla bean, seeds only
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- 1
Set oven rack to upper third and preheat to broil.
- 2
Slice off persimmon tops, peel skin, and cut into half-inch slices.
- 3
Arrange persimmon slices in a broiler-safe casserole dish.
- 4
Whisk orange juice, maple syrup, orange zest, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla seeds together.
- 5
Pour sauce over persimmons and flip to coat both sides.
- 6
Broil until edges caramelize, watching carefully.
- 7
Meanwhile, add soaked cashews, maple syrup, vanilla seeds, salt, and water to blender.
- 8
Blend until smooth, scraping sides as needed. Add water in small amounts until yogurt consistency is reached.
- 9
Serve warm persimmons with a generous dollop of cream and orange zest garnish.
Tips
Broil times vary significantly; watch carefully to prevent burning.
Soak cashews in advance to ensure smooth cream.
Fresh orange juice yields better flavor than bottled.
Vanilla bean seeds can be replaced with vanilla extract, though whole seeds provide better texture and appearance.
Good to Know
Vanilla maple cream keeps refrigerated for up to 3 days. Broiled persimmons best eaten warm but can be reheated gently.
Soak cashews up to 1 day ahead. Make cream up to 3 hours before serving. Broil persimmons just before eating.
Serve persimmons warm with cream at room temperature or chilled, garnished with orange zest.
Common Mistakes
Do not walk away during broiling to avoid burnt edges and charred fruit.
Do not skip scraping blender sides when making cream to ensure smooth consistency.
Do not add all water at once to cream; add gradually to reach yogurt-like consistency and avoid over-thinning.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
thinner base, may need less water
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