Here I am the day after Thanksgiving waiving an Oktoberfest-style treat in your face. Late to the party much? However, this Munich Beer Cream is a good dessert option for any time of year.
Called Münchener Biercreme in German, this unusual pudding-like dessert is flavored with a mild dark beer. The dessert itself contains no cream or milk, just gelatin to give it a pudding-like consistency. However, the addition of sweet whipped cream as a garnish on top takes the flavor of the dessert to a whole new level.
I used a “Dunkel” or dark German beer for this recipe. However, feel free to experiment with other varieties of brews. For example, a weissbier or a lighter-colored and flavored beer creates a lighter-flavored pudding. additionally, there are non-traditional, unusual-flavored beers out on the market. Those are fun options to experiment with using this recipe like peach, coconut, and creme brulee flavors.
Munich’s Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a world-famous beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany. It typically starts in late September and runs into the first weekend of October. It’s a massive celebration of Bavarian culture. There is plenty of beer, traditional food, music, and fun. This draws millions of visitors from all over the globe.
This festival began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich joined in the festivities becoming an annual tradition. Now it is a world-famous beer-filled extravaganza.
Only beer brewed within Munich’s city limits, conforming to the strict Bavarian Purity Law, is served at the festival. However, the beer is stronger than typical lagers. So this makes it a potent companion for revelry. The festival’s signature beer is “Märzen,” a slightly malty, full-bodied lager.
Oktoberfest is set up with massive beer tents, each run by a different brewery or organization. These tents are mini-cities, with some seating tens of thousands of people. Furthermore, each tent has its unique personality. Some focus on rowdy, beer-sloshing antics. However, others cater to more relaxed vibes with traditional Bavarian music and cuisine. Additionally, other tents serve more sophisticated fare, champagne, and wine.
There are many “Oktoberfest” celebrations around the world. However, none quite capture the sheer scale and spirit of the original in Munich. So, if you love beer, bratwurst, and dancing on tables in a lederhosen or dirndl, Oktoberfest is your dream destination!
Until you can get there, make this Munich Beer cream for your next local Oktoberfest party.
Munich Beer Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup mild dark beer
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup of white granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
- 4 large eggs separated.
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon confectionary or powdered sugar
Instructions
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In the top of a double boiler (no heat yet), mix together the dark beer, 1/2 cup of the water, white granulated sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
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Sprinkle the gelatin over the remaining cup of water and mix it in until dissolved.
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Add the gelatin water to the sugared dark beer mixture. Stir to combine
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Beat the egg yolks together slightly and stir them slowly into the beer mixture.
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Heat water in the lower part of the double boiler until simmering and place the top part with the beer mixture in it over the simmering water.
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Cook about 8 minutes stirring constantly until the mixture thickens a bit enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
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Remove the mixture from heat, cool completely.
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Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
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Fold the egg whites into the sweet beer mixture, making sure they are thoroughly combined.
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Spoon the beer cream into individual dessert glasses or ramekins and chill.
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Before serving. Whip the heavy cream and the tablespoon of powdered sugar together until stiff.
Like this Munich Beer Cream? Also, check out some of these other delicious recipes:
CHEESY SAUERKRAUT BEER ONIONS
PRESERVED LEMON DILL MAC-N-CHEESE
