Forget about cake. Channel your inner royal and indulge in decadent vegan strawberry champagne truffles à la Marie Antoinette (2006)!
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The Story: Marie Antoinette (2006)
Although not always historically accurate, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006) is considered to be a post-modern revolution and cultural masterpiece. The film begins with Marie Antoinette’s (Kristen Dunst) official handover to the dauphin of France, soon to be crowned King Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman). As the story progresses, we witness how the former Austrian princess adapts to her new life at Versailles as dauphine and “teen idol.” Evidently, her betrothal to Louis-Auguste de Bourbon symbolized an alliance between Austria and France, bitter rivals since the 16th century. It only took Marie Antoinette and Louis-August seven years to consummate their marriage…
During her time in France, she rebelled against court etiquette and developed exorbitant tastes for diamonds, bouffant hairdos, luxurious gowns, card games, operas, and balls. These were her cherished escapes from the monotony of court life. Meanwhile, her serious husband spent his free time in solitude; he most enjoyed hunting excursions and metal-working. Cloistered in a palatial hideaway, the royals remained oblivious to the populace’s economic turmoil. Many citizens rioted in response to failed crops, mass starvation, rising taxes, and the crown’s blatant disregard for their well-being. Marie Antoinette was the last queen before the French Revolution.
Antonia Fraser’s Marie Antoinette: A Journey inspired Sofia Coppola’s vision. This particular biography depicted the iconic French queen as a lively teenager who struggled to run a country, let alone a formidable world power. Inspired by this novel, Coppola chose to take some creative liberties with accurate accounts. Kristin Dunst described the film as “a history of feelings rather than a history of facts.”
My Take
In between opening credit sequences, we catch a glimpse of what’s to come. Marie Antoinette lounges in a chaise, surrounded by a decadent assortment of sweets. While trying on heels, she licks frosting from her finger and happily sinks back into the plush cushion.
Marie Antoinette is and was a controversial figure. Coppola’s clever reimagining of her life story enchants and delights audiences to this day. The splendid costumes, outrageous hair styles, scrumptious pastries, lavish locations, and revolutionary music work together to paint a beguiling picture of the queen’s world.
The writer-director was criticized for using contemporary music and discordant dialogue that imposed present fads upon the past. While making a bold statement, Coppola’s anachronistic vision successfully draws her audience closer to the dynamic protagonist: Marie Antoinette.
One cannot help but empathize with the adolescent turned queen. Instead of being valued and understood, she was used as a political pawn. All the riches in her idyllic pastel world would never help Marie Antoinette escape a life devoid of true love and purpose. Nevertheless, this film captures youth, rebellion, and excess at its finest. A true feast for the eyes!
Did you know that Sofia Coppola and her crew received an all-access pass to the Versailles Palace for 12 weeks straight? That is simply unheard of! Ladurée even crafted all of the classic French pastries for the film. My question is…how on Earth did everyone resist those delicious desserts?!
The Recipe: Vegan Strawberry Champagne Truffles
Two sequences inspired me to create this recipe fit for a queen (or king):
- Champagne overflows at Marie Antoinette’s eighteenth birthday celebration. Bottles are passed from one aristocrat to the next and glasses are never empty. This overflow of expensive bubbly solidifies her royal status.
- When Marie Antoinette retreats to her hideaway with a close circle of confidants, they don’t party and gossip. Instead, they enjoy the simpler pleasures in life. They drink fresh milk and pluck ripe strawberries off the vine. This alludes to Marie’s taste for unbridled freedom and play.
In my mind, champagne and strawberry are two flavors that capture Marie Antoinette’s essence! These vegan strawberry champagne truffles are simply to die for.
Vegan Strawberry Champagne Truffles
Equipment
- Blender
- Spatula
- Spoons & Forks
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Can Opener
- Cookie Scooper
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Trays
- Double Boiler or Pots
Ingredients
Strawberry Champagne Filling
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup (Grade A)
- 6 tablespoons coconut cream (no can liquid)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (softened)
- ¼ cup champagne
- ¾ cup coconut flour
Dark Chocolate Shell
- 1.5 cups vegan dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
White Chocolate Drizzle
- ¾ cup vegan white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
Instructions
- Blend the strawberries to a puree. Add the freeze-dried strawberries, maple syrup, coconut cream, coconut oil, and champagne. Blend the wet ingredients together. Stir in the coconut flour and blend again until smooth.1 cup fresh strawberries, 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, 6 tablespoons maple syrup, 6 tablespoons coconut cream, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, ¼ cup champagne, ¾ cup coconut flour
- With a cookie scoop, form balls out of the strawberry champagne filling. There should be enough for 20 large truffles. Place them on mini baking trays, lined with parchment paper, and freeze for 20-30 minutes or until nearly solid.
- While the truffles solidify, melt the dairy-free dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double-boiler.1.5 cups vegan dark chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- Dip the fully-formed truffles into the melted dark chocolate and set aside in the freezer.
- Next, melt the dairy-free white chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir with a fork until smooth.¾ cup vegan white chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Once you have assembled all of the truffles, drizzle the white chocolate on top and dust with freeze-dried strawberry crumbles. Finally, place them in the freezer for another 10 minutes or until the chocolate layers harden.
- Store the truffles in your fridge, so they maintain their shape and structure!
Notes
- The freeze-dried strawberries naturally provide a delicious concentration of strawberry flavor!
- A layer of cream forms above the liquid in a can of coconut cream. For the truffle filling, use the cream only! You can chill the coconut cream outside or in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Using the coconut oil in the melted dark and white chocolate coatings gives your truffles the perfect texture!
