Ingredients

  • 3 pounds medium-size plums, quartered, pits removed
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 cups packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 (8-ounce) container mascarpone, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 1/4 cups chilled heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 (12-ounce) purchased pound cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts, toasted
  • Basil sprigs, for garnish

Method

  • Roast plums: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl combine plums with brown sugar and pepper.
  • Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Roast until plums are soft and juice is bubbling, about 16 to 18 minutes.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Transfer plums and their juices to large bowl.
  • Cool and chill in refrigerator.
  • Make citrus curd: While plums roast, in a heavy large saucepan whisk the juices, 1 cup sugar, zests, and eggs in a heavy saucepan.
  • Add butter and cook over moderately low heat, whisking frequently, until thickened.
  • Force through a fine-mesh sieve into a wide shallow dish; cover surface with plastic wrap.
  • Cool completely, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
  • Chill until completely cold (about 30 minutes).
  • Make basil syrup: Combine the water, 1 cup sugar, and basil in a medium saucepan.
  • Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  • Cover and steep 15 minutes.
  • Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a glass measuring cup.
  • Cool completely in freezer until cold.
  • For filling: In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup whipping cream, and vanilla until smooth with electric hand mixer.
  • In a stand mixer (with whisk attachment), beat the remaining 2 cups whipping cream until peaks form.
  • Fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture.
  • Puree 1 cup of the roasted plums and 1/4 cup basil syrup in a blender or food processor.
  • Transfer to medium bowl and stir in remaining roasted plums.
  • Assembly: Arrange 1/3 of cake cubes in bottom of 3 1/2 quart glass trifle dish.
  • Drizzle with 1/3 of remaining basil syrup.
  • Spoon 1/3 of mascarpone filling over cake in dollops; spread to sides of dish.
  • Spoon half of plum mixture over; spread to sides of dish.
  • Spoon half of citrus curd over plum mixture in dollops, then spread to sides of dish.
  • Repeat layering with 1/3 of cake cubes, 1/3 basil syrup, 1/3 of mascarpone filling, and remaining plum mixture, then remaining cake cubes, basil syrup, and remaining citrus curd.
  • Spread remaining mascarpone filling over.
  • Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
  • Serve sprinkled with nuts and garnished with basil sprigs.
  • A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe.
  • The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.