It’s impossible to list all the foods that go well with salt, probably because there are only a few foods that don’t work well with it! Desserts, however, are a bit of a different story. Combining the crisp, unique flavor of salt with the sweetness and richness of dessert can require a little more thought than it does with most food. Some sweet flavors or textures go especially well with salt, which is what brings us to today’s post. As a salt plate wholesaler, it’s safe to say we’ve had quite a bit of experience cooking with these plates – so today we thought we’d bring you a few salt block recipes. Try one of these amazing new desserts at your next dinner party!

Note: With these two recipes, you’ll want to chill your salt plate at least 1 hour in the freezer before serving. Both of these recipes are best served on individual-sized salt plates chilled well ahead of time.

Salted Caramel Apples

Ingredients

• 2 large Granny Smith or Fuji apples
• 2 Tbsp. chopped roasted peanuts
• 2 small cinnamon sticks
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• ¼ C. cream
• ½ C. brown sugar, packed firmly
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Mix brown sugar, cream, and butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Cook while whisking gently 5 to 7 minutes until mixture begins to thicken.
3. Add vanilla and cook another minute until mixture thickens further.
4. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Slice both apples diagonally approximately ½ inch from the bottom, across the entire
   width of the apple. Place the apples on the chilled salt plate, and drizzle 1 Tbsp. of sauce
   on top.
6. Garnish each apple with 1 Tbsp. of chopped peanuts and one cinnamon stick.

(Serves 2)

Salted Chocolate Brownie with Pistachio Gelato

Ingredients

• 2 scoops pistachio gelato
• 2 brownies (about 1.5” x 1.5”)
• 5 oz. crushed pistachios
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 4 oz. heavy cream

Instructions

1. Heat the heavy cream in a quart-sized sauce pot 3 to 4 minutes on medium flame, or until it just begins to simmer; be careful not to allow cream to boil over.
2. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes.
3. Place chocolate/cream mixture into a food processor and pulse until smooth.
4. With a pastry brush, brush a large chocolate swipe across the surface of the salt plates.
5. Place brownies centered on each plate and place pistachio gelato on top.
6. Garnish with crushed pistachios on top.

(Serves 2)

Daniel Replogle

Daniel does business development and marketing at The Companion Group. When he isn’t writing you can find him rock climbing or doing ceramic artwork.