zebra vacherins
passion fruit sorbet
strawberry sorbet
vanilla chantilly cream
meringue baskets
french frozen dessert
individual vacherin recipe
tropical meringue dessert
gluten free dessert
make ahead summer dessert
26 March 2025

Zebra Vacherins with Passion Fruit & Strawberry

JojoM

Zebra Vacherins with Passion Fruit & Strawberry

Crisp meringue baskets filled with passion fruit and strawberry sorbets, topped with vanilla mascarpone Chantilly and fresh passion fruit seeds.

A Stunning Zebra Vacherin Dessert 🐆✨

These Zebra Vacherins with Passion Fruit & Strawberry are as eye-catching as they are refreshing. Crisp meringue baskets, bold stripes of tropical sorbet, and a cloud of vanilla-mascarpone Chantilly come together in a vibrant, elegant French dessert. Perfect for summer gatherings, make-ahead menus, or any occasion that calls for something light, fruity, and beautifully refined.

What Makes These Vacherins Special 🍓🥭

The striking zebra look comes from layering passion fruit sorbet and strawberry sorbet inside delicate meringue shells. The contrast of colours and flavours is pure joy—from the tangy brightness of passion fruit to the sweet, smooth strawberry. The Chantilly adds richness without heaviness, and fresh passion fruit seeds deliver a juicy pop in every bite.

This dessert celebrates everything wonderful about French frozen desserts—crisp textures, silky sorbets, bold flavours, and a show-stopping finish that looks far more intricate than it actually is.

The Base: Crisp Meringue Baskets 🍥

The meringue shells bake low and slow to keep that ideal balance: crisp exterior, marshmallowy centre. The baskets act as edible bowls that hold their shape beautifully, even after filling with sorbet. They’re naturally gluten-free, making them a crowd-pleasing option for guests with dietary restrictions.

Tropical Sorbets with Bright, Clean Flavours 🍧🌺

You’ll make two refreshing sorbets:

  • Passion fruit sorbet with vibrant acidity and tropical perfume
  • Strawberry sorbet that tastes like peak-season berries

Glucose or trimoline helps the sorbets churn ultra-smooth, giving you professional-quality texture. You can prepare them a day or two ahead—ideal when hosting.

A Creamy Crown: Vanilla Mascarpone Chantilly 🌿

To balance the fruit, the vacherins are finished with soft peaks of vanilla bean Chantilly enriched with a touch of mascarpone. It pipes beautifully and melts softly over the cold sorbet.

Assembly for the Perfect Zebra Effect 🐾

To get that signature pattern, alternate scoops of strawberry and passion fruit sorbet before topping with Chantilly and fresh passion fruit seeds. The final result is elegant but playful—a dessert that instantly draws attention at the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 💛

  • Naturally gluten-free
  • Make-ahead friendly—sorbets and meringues keep extremely well
  • Visually stunning without complicated techniques
  • Perfect for summer desserts, parties, and individual servings
  • Balanced flavour: sweet, tangy, creamy, refreshing

Final Thoughts ☀️

These Zebra Vacherins offer the best of warm-weather French pastry: light textures, vibrant fruit, and gorgeous presentation. Whether you’re preparing them for guests or as a special weekend project, they deliver that irresistible mix of elegance and fun—each bite crisp, cold, creamy, and bursting with tropical flavour.

Enjoy creating these beautiful little showpieces—they’re guaranteed to impress! 🥭🍓✨

Zebra Vacherins with Passion Fruit & Strawberry

JojoM

Crisp meringue baskets filled with passion fruit and strawberry sorbets, topped with vanilla mascarpone Chantilly and fresh passion fruit seeds.

Zebra Vacherins with Passion Fruit & Strawberry image
zebra vacherins
passion fruit sorbet
strawberry sorbet
vanilla chantilly cream
meringue baskets
french frozen dessert
individual vacherin recipe
tropical meringue dessert
gluten free dessert
make ahead summer dessert
Prep Time
120 mins
Cook Time
80 mins
Total Time
920 mins
Servings
10

Chef's Tips

  • Bake the meringues low and slow so they stay crisp on the outside and marshmallow-soft inside.

  • Churn the sorbets a day ahead so they have time to firm up before filling the meringue baskets.

  • Add the Chantilly and passion fruit seeds just before serving to keep the meringue perfectly crisp.

Ingredients

USMetric

Meringue Baskets

Passion Fruit Sorbet

Strawberry Sorbet

Vanilla Chantilly Cream

Assembly

Instructions

Meringue Baskets

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 110°C (230°F). Place silicone molds on a tray.

  2. 2

    Whisk egg whites to soft peaks; gradually add superfine sugar and whip to firm peaks.

  3. 3

    Fold in sifted confectioners' sugar until smooth.

  4. 4

    Fill molds and smooth the tops.

  5. 5

    Bake 20 minutes, lower to 90°C (200°F), scoop centers, and bake 1 hour more.

  6. 6

    Cool completely.

Passion Fruit Sorbet

  1. 1

    Heat sugar, glucose, and water until dissolved; chill.

  2. 2

    Mix with passion fruit pulp.

  3. 3

    Churn and freeze.

Strawberry Sorbet

  1. 1

    Dissolve trimoline and sugar in water; chill.

  2. 2

    Mix with strawberry pulp.

  3. 3

    Churn and freeze.

Vanilla Chantilly Cream

  1. 1

    Blend cream, mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla.

  2. 2

    Whip to soft peaks; chill.

Assembly

  1. 1

    Soften sorbets slightly.

  2. 2

    Fill meringue baskets with alternating scoops.

  3. 3

    Pipe Chantilly peaks.

  4. 4

    Finish with passion fruit seeds.

Comments & Reviews

  • Elena

    8/3/2025

    Great make-ahead dessert. Everyone loved it!

  • Martin

    6/22/2025

    A bit of work but worth it. Loved the contrast of textures.

  • Claire

    4/10/2025

    The passion fruit really cuts the sweetness—perfect summer dessert!

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 vacherin

Calories 320
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g15%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 40mg13%
Sodium 40mg2%
Total Carbohydrates 50g18%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Sugars 44g
Protein 5g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Zebra Vacherins with Passion Fruit & Strawberry