Gluten-Free Orange Chocolate Wensleydale Raisin Breakfast Ring

Over the holidays I discovered the magic of Orange Chocolate Wensleydale Cheese.

 

Wensleydale is a style of cheese originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England, but now mostly made in large commercial creameries throughout the United Kingdom. The term "Yorkshire Wensleydale" can only be used for cheese that is made in Wensleydale. The style of cheese originated from a monastery of French Cistercian monks who had settled in northern England and continued to be produced by local farmers after the monastery was dissolved in 1540. Wensleydale cheese fell to low production in the early 1990s, but its popularity was revitalized by frequent references in the Wallace and Gromit series.

 

"Wallace and Gromit "– really?

 

Wensleydale is a medium cheese that is supple and crumbly. It has a slight honey aroma. Because of its sweeter, honey essences, Wensleydale is often created with sweet, dried fruits, like blueberries, apricots, and cranberries.

 

This year, as I mentioned before, a discovery of the cheese mixed with oranges and both white and dark chocolate put the delicacy into an entirely new category for me.

 

Before I decided it could be categorized as both sweet and savory, but now I see it as sweet, savory, creamy, and truly Ashley-worthy, ready to be eaten on its own, in a bowl of BAS (ask me about that one) with anything and everything else, and also baked into a sweet and savory ring cake for a gluten-free breakfast or afternoon tea treat.

 

The classic combination of chocolate and orange comes to life in this adventurous cheese. A mild Wensleydale cheese is paired with milk chocolate chips and succulent pieces of orange to deliver a deliciously sweet flavor.

Originating from North Yorkshire, Wensleydale is considered a British classic. It is thought that the cheese dates back to the Middle Ages, being introduced in Britain by Cistercian monks who settled in the town of Wensleydale.

 

 

Gluten-Free Orange Chocolate Wensleydale Raisin Breakfast Ring

 

4 large eggs, room temperature (cage-free)
6 oz. Orange Chocolate Wensleydale Cheese, crumbled

2 cups gluten-free chocolate biscuits, pulsed into a fine powder

1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
½ cup barley milk (or almond milk)

1 cup Thompson raisins
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. kosher salt

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

 

Whisk together the eggs, cheese, biscuit crumbs, flour, and alternative milk until smooth (with a few cheese chunks left in the mix).

 

Fold in the raisins, baking powder, vanilla, and salt.

 

Prepare a ring (Bundt cake) pan with Baker’s Joy (gluten-free version) or thoroughly spray with baking oil.

 

Transfer the chocolate cheese dough to the prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

 

Cool for 30 minutes.

 

Slice around the edges of the pan with a butter knife and invert onto a serving tray.

 

Release and cool for 30-60 more minutes before slicing and serving this sweet and savory delicacy.