Charlotte Russe — Ladyfinger and Bavarian Cream Dessert

Line the bottom of a 20 cm springform pan with parchment paper. Stand the ladyfingers around the inside edge with their sugared sides facing out, snug against one another. Cut the bottom end flat on any that are taller than the pan. Cover the base with the remaining ladyfingers, breaking them as needed to fill all the gaps.

Sprinkle the powdered bovine gelatin over the cold water and leave it undisturbed. It will absorb the water and become a spongy mass.

Heat the milk with the split vanilla bean and scraped seeds until bubbles form around the edges. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until pale, then gradually whisk in the hot milk. Return the mixture to the pot and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula, until it reaches 82–84°C / 180–183°F. The custard should coat the back of a spoon, and a line drawn through it with a finger should stay open.

Remove the pot from the heat, add the bloomed gelatin to the hot custard, and stir until fully dissolved. Strain the custard through a fine sieve into a wide bowl and remove the vanilla bean.

Set the bowl over ice water and stir the custard, scraping the bottom. Once it has cooled and falls slowly from a spoon, thick as egg whites, remove it from the ice. Custard that has started to set will form lumps when folded with the whipped cream.

Whip the cold cream to soft peaks; cream whipped to stiff peaks will turn to butter as you fold it in. Stir one-third of the whipped cream into the crème anglaise to lighten it, then fold in the rest in two additions, moving the spatula from the bottom up.

Pour the Bavarian cream into the ladyfinger-lined pan and smooth the surface. Tap the pan lightly on the counter 2 times to release air pockets, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

Release the springform latch and slowly lift off the ring. Wash and dry the strawberries, cut them in half lengthwise, and arrange them cut-side up on the Bavarian cream. Slice the dessert with a sharp knife without breaking the ladyfinger wall.