But according to a bit of research the day after, food historians credit the original charlotte as being English: it refers to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.
In France a Charlotte Russe is made with ladyfingers just like these but is filled with cream in reference to a French chef who named it after his employer,Czar Alexander I.
I call it Belgian chocolate mousse in a boudoir circle.
Whatever its origins, or whatever you name it... it is sinfully delicious! Should I mention that I had to mobilize my whole family to make it... someone to hold, someone to pour, someone to taste....there must be tricks or special molds to make the ladyfingers stand up by themselves, etc... If anyone knows, please tell me!
