
The uplifting aroma of citrus has filled my home all this week. Monday I made the marmalade for this recipe with both orange and grapefruit. The blanching was especially nice. The fragrance from the boiling citrus water was just so beautiful and fresh. It seems fitting for this time of year.

The 2010 March Daring Bakers challenge was hosted by Jennifer of Chocolate Shavings. She chose Orange Tian as the challenge for this month, a dessert based on a recipe from Alain Ducasse’s Cooking School in Paris.

I didn’t expect to get so much marmalade from one orange and one grapefruit. I ended up with two 8 oz. jars of orange marmalade and the same amount of grapefruit. I put them in canning jars, although I didn’t plan to seal them with a water-bath. The marmalade was so hot they sealed by themselves- bonus! (top jar is ruby red grapefruit)

This wasn’t my first time making marmalade. I have made it once before, and it was an all day endeavor disaster. This version was so easy and far surpassed my expectations! It is so delicious and not the least bit tart or bitter. Working with small portions is always easier for me and it helped that the instructions were so simple.

We could use our own pâte sablée recipe, but I wanted to stick as closely as I could with the recipe given.

I’ll admit, these are very good when eaten plain or with a little marmalade spread on top.

Surprisingly, I had no problem assembling this dessert. It looks so elegant – I really thought it would be difficult! I used pastry rings (but you can use cookie cutters) for building the tian. It is assembled upside down. First the oranges go in, then the stabilized cream layer, and the pâte sablée goes on last.
The one thing I did have trouble with… the caramel drizzle. I read the directions – specifically the part that says ” [you should make] this step while you don’t have to worry about anything else.” I don’t know why I chose to ignore it. I thought I could cook dinner and caramelize sugar at the same time. Needless to say, my caramel didn’t drizzle, instead it set up like concrete in the bottom of my saucepan. Instead of throwing the whole mess out I thought I would re-melt the caramel and make…

…orange-caramel lollipops! An accidental treat, and quite good in spite of the mishap.
I’m still not 100% convinced that my drizzle is exactly what it should be. It is the consistency of maple syrup but is not as dark as I had hoped. I figure it’s close enough.
Well, close enough for someone who is really paranoid of making the same mistake twice.

This is a beautiful dessert, and one that I’ll be making again soon. I can’t wait to try my grapefruit marmalade in this recipe. I hope to find some pomolos to supreme, they are similar to grapefruit but sweeter and would be the perfect compliment.
Here is the (rather lengthy) recipe if you’d like to give it a try!
I loved this challenge. And I especially love that life is full of sweet surprises.
(Like orange-caramel lollies!)

I love how you pay attention to detail, the way you layered the oranges gives them an almost scalloped edge that looks beautiful!
Hannah loved the pictures of the suckers. She kept saying two suckers! She was also crying to eat cake lol.
Your Sis,
Amy
See… what did I tell you? Everything you do is perfection. This is such a beautiful dessert.
Haaa! You made lollipops! Love that idea. Beautiful tians, I've got to get me some of those pastry rings.
So beautiful! My mouth is watering!
Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
Those look amazing! I love all of your photos. Such attention to detail.
Wow, yours turned out BEAUTIFULLY!!! Of course:) I am almost embarrassed to post mine…later:) Love the lollipops! You are amazing!
Lovely Heather! I love the lollipops 🙂
You nailed it!
Can't wait to see your grapefruit version.
~ingrid
Love the lollies and the challange! Great job!
Great job on the challenge. I love the lollipops.
Mimi
Wow this looks so fabulous! I just love reading your blog!!
Haha, the lollipops are too cute! I found my sauce wasn't very thick either but it sure is tasty. Your tians looks gorgeous.
This is absolutely gorgeous. It look so fresh and fruity and spring-like. What a pretty dessert and I bet it tasted just as wonderful. And I love the surprise lollies!!
Beautiful. I like how you placed some orange segmens around the side to make a scalloped edge.
Just beautiful!
Wow your tians are beautiful!! Great job!
You always make things look so cute and yummy!
Gorgeous Tian!