Relive the Bittersweet Humor and Existentialism of ‘Fleabag’ Through These Desserts Inspired by Its Relatable Characters

Inspired by the hit British comedy show Fleabag, dripping with dry humor, nihilism, and peak existentialism, try our desserts inspired by the very essence of the show!

A nihilistic feminist, Fleabag makes for a flawed leading character who is quite entertaining with her troubled life and the fourth wall breaking. Her life is a big question mark and screams doomsday with her life choices and the constant search for someone to tell her what to do with her life; something some of us can relate to or at least sympathize with.

The utter hopelessness of it all is supported by equally weird characters that are imperfect, gray, and somehow a perfect fit in the oddball show that Fleabag is. We have for you some desserts inspired by these characters and their interactions in the show, that left us cracking up or just plain existential. Relive the joie de vivre or the lack of it of Fleabag and her nihilism through these desserts, don’t worry not all are depressing inspirations.

1. Hamster-Inspired Cream Cheese Carrot Cake

A cafe inspired by a tiny guinea pig deserves a dessert made after her. Hilary the guinea pig was the heart and soul of the cafe in the series and was a gift to Boo from Fleabag. So why not replicate the little pet with its ginger fur and tuft of white hair on its crown?

Ingredients:

• 150 gm all-purpose flour
• 125 gm brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 125 gm butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 250 gm grated carrots
• 225 gm cream cheese, softened

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 20cm x 20cm pan with foil and grease.
• In a bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until crumbly.
• Stir in the egg and carrots. Press into the pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Allow to cool, then beat the cream cheese until smooth. Spread over cooled bars.
• Decorate with raisins, chocolate chips or other toppings to resemble a cute hamster face.
• Refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars to serve.

2. I look Like a Pencil Pencil Pops

While this dessert might not be as chic or elegant as Claire’s French haircut that had us in splits when she declared, albeit horrified, that she “looks like a pencil”, it sure is delicious and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas, chopped
• Popsicle sticks or wooden skewers
• Chocolate syrup
• Sprinkles

Instructions:

• In a bowl, mix together the yogurt and fruit.
• Pour into popsicle molds or paper cups. Insert a stick/skewer into each one.
• Freeze for 2-3 hours until solid but not fully frozen.
• Remove from molds and drizzle with chocolate syrup to resemble the "lead" of a pencil.
• Sprinkle colored sprinkles on top while the syrup is still wet.
• Return it to the freezer to finish freezing, about 1-2 more hours.

3. Indecisive Hot Priest’s Icebox Cake

The layers of this unusual cake best represent the conflicted psyche of the hot priest that Fleabag fancies. Wallow in the “this too shall pass” with the icebox cake that is the perfect indulgence for the depression that the priest’s choice makes. Icebox cakes can seem intimidating, but they're actually quite easy for beginners to make!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cream or whipped topping
• 1 box vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups milk
• 24 vanilla wafers

Instructions:

• Make the pudding according to package instructions, using 3 cups of milk. Refrigerate until thickened.
• In a separate bowl, whip the cream or topping until soft peaks form.
• To assemble, spread a thin layer of pudding on the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan. Top with a single layer of vanilla wafers.
• Spread with whipped cream, then another layer of pudding. Repeat layering, ending with pudding on top.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until set.
• Cut into squares to serve.

4. Darkly Divine Layered Trifle Fleabag x Priest

This is just for you and your partner. Take date night to a new level with this trifle that is as dark and divinely sinful as the priest and Fleabag’s attraction for each other. While most of us might never fully psychologically recover from the show’s ending, date nights, personally couldn’t have been better. This recipe is perfect for two people.

For the chocolate wafer base:

• 50 gm chocolate wafer cookies, crushed

For the chocolate mousse:

• 100 gm dark chocolate, chopped
• 150 ml milk
• 1 egg, separated
• 25 gm sugar

For the vanilla whipped cream:

• 150 ml heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 12.5 gm icing sugar

Toppings:

• Fresh raspberries
• Unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions:

• Layer the crushed wafer cookies in the bottom of two small trifle dishes.
• Heat the milk until steaming. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 5 mins.
• Whisk the egg yolks with sugar until pale. Stir into the chocolate mixture.
• Whisk egg whites to soft peaks. Gently fold into the chocolate mixture.
• Pour mousse over wafer bases. Refrigerate until set.
• Whip cream with vanilla and icing sugar until soft peaks form.
• Top mousse layers with whipped cream. Decorate with berries and cocoa.