Tag Archives: Baking

Jun20

Il Diplomatico Chocolate Cake

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This coffee-soaked dessert is often made with shop-bought Madeira cake, so feel free to take the short cut if time’s tight. To intensify the coffee hit you may add espresso to the chocolate mousse filling and the cream topping too – it’s not strictly traditional, but it’s delicious. You’ll need to begin this recipe 2 days ahead.

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Ingredients

250 ml espresso-strength coffee
50 ml golden rum
100 gm caster sugar
450 gm dark chocolate (60-65% cocoa solids), finely chopped
700 ml thickened cream
3 cups thickened cream
4 eggs
To serve:chocolate-coated coffee beans, coarsely crushed (optional)

Madeira Cake

175 gm softened butter
155 gm caster sugar
Finely grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
3 eggs
250 gm (1 2/3 cups)plain flour, sieved
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp baking powder
2 tbsp milk

Directions

1. For Madeira cake, preheat oven to 160 C. Beat butter, sugar and lemon rind in an electric mixer until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes). Scrape down sides of bowl and add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour, cinnamon and baking powder to combine, then add milk and lemon juice and stir until smooth. Spoon into a greased 8 cm x 22 cm loaf tin lined with baking paper, smooth top and bake until cake is light golden and a skewer inserted withdraws clean (45-50 minutes). Cool completely, then turn out and stand, uncovered, for 24 hours to dry out.

2. Stir 150 ml espresso, rum, 1½ tbsp sugar and 50 ml water in a bowl until sugar dissolves and set aside.

3. Slice Madeira cake width-ways into 5 mm- thick slices and line base and sides of an 8 cm x 22 cm loaf tin lined with plastic wrap (let plastic wrap hang over sides of tin), trimming cake to fit and filling all gaps (set aside remaining cake). Brush generously with espresso mixture and set aside.

4. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (3-4 minutes), then set aside. Whisk 400 ml cream in an electric mixer until soft peaks form (4-5 minutes), then refrigerate until required. Whisk eggs, remaining sugar and 50 ml espresso in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until thick and pale (3-4 minutes), remove from heat and fold in melted chocolate, then whipped cream. Spoon into cake-lined tin, smooth top, then cover mousse with remaining cake slices, trimming to fit. Brush with espresso mixture, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours or up to a week. Whisk remaining cream and remaining espresso to soft peaks. Invert cake onto a platter, top with whipped cream, scatter crushed coffee beans over and serve.

Jun6

Chocolate & Caramelized Banana Tart

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A cocoa crust, chocolate-cream filling and shards of dark chocolate play off the bananas’ creamy sweetness. For best results, chill the filled tart before topping it with the bananas; otherwise, the filling may be too soft to hold the fruit up well.

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Ingredients

For the crust

8-1/4 oz. (1-3/4 cups) all-purpose flour; more for dusting
3-1/2 oz. (3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs.) confectioners’ sugar
1-3/4 oz. (7 Tbs.) sifted cocoa, preferably Dutch process
6 oz. (12 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
2 large eggs, 1 separated
Cooking spray
1 oz. melted dark (70%) chocolate

TIP:
This recipe makes enough dough for two tart crusts; use one now and freeze the other for a delicious tart in your future.

For the filling

1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract or paste
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1-1/2 Tbs. cornstarch
1 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 oz. warm melted dark chocolate
1/2 cup whipping or heavy cream
For topping and finishing the tart

4 medium bananas
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Dark chocolate shards, for garnish (video: How to Make Chocolate Shards)

Directions

Make the dough

1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, butter, and salt. Mix on low speed until the butter begins to break up, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to just below medium and continue beating until the mixture looks sandy with butter pieces the size of tiny pebbles, about 2 minutes more.

2. Turn the mixer off and add the whole egg and egg yolk (reserve the remaining white). Mix on low speed until the eggs are fully incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and mix just until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 30 seconds. Do not overmix.

3. Divide the dough in half, press each half into a disk about 4 inches across, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 disk for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours. (Freeze the other disk for up to a month; thaw in the refrigerator before using.)

Shape and bake the crust

1. Lightly flour a work surface and a rolling pin. Spray a 9-1/2- to 11-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray.

2. Working quickly, roll the dough disk into a 1/8-inch-thick round. Transfer the dough to the tart pan and gently coax it into the pan, allowing the excess dough to hang over the sides. Roll the rolling pin over the top of the pan to cut off the excess dough. Patch any tears or cracks with the scraps. Refrigerate the crust for at least 20 minutes or freeze for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.

3. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it to the very top with beans or pie weights. Bake until the edges are golden, 18 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove the weights and paper. Bake until the center of the crust looks dry and is just beginning to color, about 5 minutes.

4. Beat the reserved egg white. Brush the inside of the crust with some of the egg white (you won’t need it all) and return the crust to the oven until the egg white has dried, about 2 minutes. (This prevents the crust from getting soggy once you add the filling.) Cool completely on a rack.

5. Brush the interior of the cooled crust with the melted chocolate. Let it set for a few minutes in the fridge before proceeding.

Make the pastry cream

1. Combine the milk and 2 Tbs. of the sugar in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. If using a vanilla bean, split it and scrape the seeds into the milk, then add the pod. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean pod, if using.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium heatproof bowl, whisk the remaining 2 Tbs. sugar with the egg, egg yolk, and cornstarch until smooth, about 1 minute. Whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture until combined. Off the heat, whisk the contents of the bowl back into the remaining milk in the saucepan.

3. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture reaches a boil; it will thicken. Continue to cook for another minute past the boil, whisking constantly. Off the heat, whisk in the butter and vanilla paste or extract, if using. Stir a little pastry cream into the melted chocolate to temper it. Fold this back into the rest of the pastry cream. Strain the pastry cream through a medium-mesh sieve into a medium heatproof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Fill and top the tart

1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream to stiff peaks with an electric hand mixer or a whisk.

2. Beat the pastry cream to soften and smooth it. With a large spatula, fold the whipped cream into the softened pastry cream until thoroughly combined. Fill the crust with the crème légère, evening it out with the spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before topping with the bananas.

3. Cut the bananas into 1/2-inch slices (you can either cut them lengthwise as shown, or crosswise into rounds or ovals). Arrange the slices on a large foil-lined baking sheet. Working in batches, sprinkle the top of each slice completely with sugar. With a kitchen torch, heat the sugared top until caramelized. Repeat with the remaining slices. Arrange the caramelized bananas on top of the filling. Note that because the filling is soft, you’ll need to work quickly while the filling is cold and more firm. Because it’s hard to move the bananas once they’re on the filling, you may want to practice your pattern on an empty sheet pan before placing it on the tart.

4. Garnish the tart with the chocolate shards. Refrigerate the tart until ready to serve. Serve the tart cold, within 6 hours of topping.

Variations

You can make four 4-1/2-inch tarts (shown here) from one batch of filling and one dough disk. Reduce the baking time for the crusts, and fill the crusts two-thirds full.

May20

Lemon Chocolate Pie

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Where most lemon pies are single crusted affairs, this pie is double crusted with a thick, sweet lemon filling that’s similar to the pudding-like innards of a Lemon Meringue. Once the pie is baked and cooled, its top is covered with what amounts to chocolate frosting.

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Ingredients

For the Filling
5 large egg yolks
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 cups cornstarch
1/3 cups cold water
1 1/2 cups very hot water
2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup fresh juice from 6 to 8 lemons
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Crust
2 unbaked pie crusts (I used the Food Lab’s Easy Pie Crust)
1 egg white
For the Chocolate Topping
5 ounces 72% cacao chocolate
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon dark corn syrup

Directions

1.
Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk together egg yolks in a medium bowl and set aside. In a medium saucepan, mix together the sugar and cornstarch. Add cold water and stir to moisten. Then add hot water, while stirring, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Mixture will begin to turn translucent and thicken. When mixture begins to bubble lightly, remove from heat. Stir in melted butter. Add egg yolks while whisking constantly. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract whisking until thoroughly combined. Place in refrigerator to cool, about 15 minutes.

2.
Roll out crusts. For a 9-inch pan your bottom crust should be around 11 inches in diameter. Place bottom crust in pie pan or dish. Pour in cooled pie filling. Place rolled out top crust over filled pie. Seal and flute edges. Cut several slits in the top of the pie to vent then brush entire top crust with egg white and bake for 20 minutes. Turn oven down to 375°F and bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove pie from oven and cool completely.

3.
Combine chocolate and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir, repeat, heating in 15 second increments until butter is just melted and smooth. Stir in corn syrup. Set mixture aside until it is only slightly warm to touch.

4.
Pour chocolate mixture over cooled pie and spread to completely cover the top of the pie. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Store covered.

May9

Chocolate-Bourbon-Butterscotch Icebox Cake

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Elegant, showstopper desserts don’t come much easier than this. Each slice resembles fine pastry.

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Ingredients

1/2 cup cornstarch
3 cups milk
4 large eggs
1/2 cup butter
2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup bourbon
64 chocolate wafers (about 1 1/2 [9-oz.] packages)
Sweetened Whipped Cream
Garnish: crushed chocolate wafers

Directions

1. Place cornstarch in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in milk and eggs.

2. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat, and stir in brown sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes or until mixture bubbles and becomes shiny.

3. Gradually whisk cream into butter mixture. (Mixture will bubble and clump but will get smooth as it cooks.) Cook, whisking constantly, 4 to 5 minutes or until smooth.

4. Gradually whisk about one-fourth of hot butter mixture into egg mixture, 1/2 cup at a time. Gradually add egg mixture to remaining hot butter mixture, whisking constantly.

5. Increase heat to medium-high. Add vanilla and salt, and cook, whisking constantly, about 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and just begins to bubble. Remove from heat, and stir in bourbon. Place plastic wrap directly onto warm filling (to prevent a film from forming). Cool completely (about 2 hours).

6. Place 16 cookies in a single layer on bottom of a 9-inch square pan. Spread 1 1/2 cups pudding over cookies. Repeat layers 3 times, using remaining pudding on top layer. Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours. Just before serving, top with Sweetened Whipped Cream.

May5

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting

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These Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes are super moist, fluffy, and richly chocolatey. The velvety ganache frosting is perfect, while zucchini lends moisture and some veggie power!

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Ingredients

Cupcake Batter:
1 cups all purpose flour
1¼ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup + 2 TB unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp instant coffee granules (decaf is fine)
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp table salt
2 large eggs
½ cup + 2 TB canola oil
1½ cups finely grated zucchini, loosely packed
1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (mini’s are best, as they melt into the cake well)

Orange-Ganache Frosting:
4½ oz semi sweet chocolate morsels
½ cup heavy cream
2 tsp orange extract
Optional: shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened) for garnish

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Line or grease a standard muffin pan. Set aside.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, coffee granules, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine well.

3. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Add oil, zucchini, and mini chocolate chips. Stir to combine well.

4. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold together the flour mixture with the egg mixture. Fold gently just until no more dry streaks of flour remain; do not overmix. Bake 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few tender crumbs attached (be sure to test in a cake-only spot; cracked spots tend to be misleading, since melted chocolate chips sit in those cracks.) Cool cupcakes completely.

5. Meanwhile, make the Ganache: In a heavy saucepan, add chocolate morsels and heavy cream. Constantly stir on low heat until smooth and melted. Add orange extract and stir until combined. Remove from heat and let cool enough for ganache to thicken to a frost-able consistency. Frost as desired and sprinkle with shredded coconut.

May3

Boston Cream Cupcakes

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If you like Boston Cream Pie, you’ll flip over these yummy Boston Cream Cupcakes! Tender, moist, and filled with golden custard.

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Ingredients

For the Pastry Cream:
1⅓ cups heavy cream
3 egg yolks
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅛ tsp salt
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 2 pieces
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Cupcakes:
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened but still cool, cut into 12 pieces
3 eggs
¾ cup whole milk
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Glaze:
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup light corn syrup
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Directions

1. Make the Pastry Cream: Heat the heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the cornstarch and whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and thick, about 15 seconds.

2. When the cream reaches a full simmer, slowly whisk it into the yolk mixture. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it’s a thick pudding consistency, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter is completely melted. Transfer the pastry cream to a small bowl and press plastic wrap directly on the surface. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

3. Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt on medium-low speed. Add the butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the eggs, gently mixing until incorporated. Add the milk and vanilla extract; to avoid splatter, blend on low and then increase to medium, mixing until light and fluffy and no lumps remain, about 3 minutes, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl halfway through. Batter will be almost a bit “foamy” to the touch.

4. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 19-20 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Make the Glaze: Combine the heavy cream, corn syrup, chocolate and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Set the glaze aside to cool and thicken at room temperature at least 1 hour (I let mine sit longer to thicken to a frosting consistency. Chill in fridge a bit, if needed.)

6. Assemble the Cupcakes: Using a paring knife, cut into the center of the cupcake at a 45-degree angle about ⅛-inch from the edge and cut all the way around. Remove the cone and cut away all but the top ¼ inch, leaving a small disk of cake.

7. Fill the inside of each cupcake with room-temp pastry cream and top with the disk of cake. Spread the chocolate glaze over top of each cupcake, covering the top completely. Refrigerate the cupcakes until the glaze is set, about 10 minutes. Serve at room temp.

Apr25

Chocolate Matzo Madness Toffee

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Take a crack at this Southern spin on a traditional Passover treat. But it’s not only relegated to the holiday. In fact, you can make this sweet snack year-round using saltine crackers for a crispy, salty base that makes the chocolate and pecans pop in your mouth. So do yourself a favor and indulge!

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Ingredients

1 cup (8 oz.) salted butter, plus butter to grease pan
4 to 5 sheets lightly salted matzos
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/4 teaspoon Maldon sea salt, if desired

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 18- x 12-inch rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Grease foil with butter. Arrange matzos in prepared pan, breaking as necessary to fit and completely cover bottom.

2. Bring 1 cup butter and brown sugar to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium, whisking occasionally. Boil, whisking constantly, 3 minutes. Carefully pour mixture over matzos; spread over matzos.

3. Bake in preheated oven until bubbly all over, 8 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove baking sheet from oven to a wire rack. Let stand 1 minute. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top; let stand until chips soften, about 2 minutes. Spread chocolate over brown sugar mixture. Sprinkle with pecans; sprinkle with salt, if desired. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Chill toffee until firm, about 30 minutes. Break or cut into about 36 pieces. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week in refrigerator.

Apr22

Chocolate-Key Lime Cupcake Pies

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This cupcake version of a chocolate-key lime pie is an ideal pick-up dessert for entertaining. Make a crumb crust with chocolate wafers and top with a sweet cream cheese mixture with fresh key lime juice. Try cupcake pies with sweetened whipped cream, fresh cherries, blackberries, and mint leaves.

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Ingredients

12 jumbo-size aluminum foil baking cups
Vegetable cooking spray
1 (9-oz.) package chocolate wafer cookies
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons key lime zest
1/3 cup fresh key lime juice
3 large eggs
Garnishes: sweetened whipped cream, fresh cherries and blackberries, fresh mint leaves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place 12 jumbo-size aluminum foil baking cups in lightly greased muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray.

2. Pulse chocolate wafer cookies in a food processor 8 to 10 times or until finely crushed. Stir together cookie crumbs and butter; firmly press on bottom and two-thirds up sides of each baking cup (about 3 Tbsp. crumbs per cup).

3. Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add lime zest and lime juice, beating at low speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears after each addition. Spoon mixture into prepared cups, filling completely full.

4. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until set. Cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and let cool 15 minutes or until completely cool. Cover and chill 4 hours. Garnish, if desired.

Apr13

Chocolate Peanut-Butter Icebox Cake

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This crowd-pleasing icebox cake uses already prepared cookies; the only real work is having to wait to eat it while it chills.

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Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream, well chilled
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup smooth natural peanut butter (not unsalted)
1 box (9 ounces) chocolate wafer cookies

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whip 1 1/2 cups cream with sugar until soft peaks form. In a small bowl, whisk peanut butter until soft and smooth; whisk in 1/2 cup cream until light and fluffy. Fold peanut-butter mixture into whipped cream until incorporated.

2. Dab the bottom of 6 cookies with a very small amount of cream mixture and arrange in a circle on a serving plate; place 1 cookie in the middle of circle. Top with cup cream mixture, spreading outward to cover all but outer edges of cookies. Repeat process 5 more times (staggering the cookie layers), ending with cream. Cut 3 cookies in half; decorate top of cake with cookie halves.

3. Refrigerate cake at least 8 hours (or up to overnight). To serve, cut into wedges with a serrated knife.

Apr4

Chocolate Turtle Bundt Cake

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This irresistible chocolate turtle bundt cake is a made-from-scratch chocolate caramel pecan delight. It’s drizzled with a buttery pecan-caramel sauce and a healthy drizzle of silky chocolate ganache. It’s a cake that’s dressed to impress even the pickiest of dessert eaters.

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Ingredients

1 recipe Chocolate Buttermilk Cake made in a bundt pan
1 cup roughly chopped pecan pieces, toasted
Caramel-pecan sauce:
¾ cup light brown sugar
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup butter (1/2 stick or 4 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Chocolate ganache:
1½ cup milk chocolate chips
½ cup heavy cream

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Directions

1. Prepare the chocolate buttermilk cake per the directions. Bake in a buttered and floured bundt pan for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean. Cool in the pan on a cooling rack.

2. Spread the pecan pieces in a single layer on a sheet pan. Toast in a 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes Set aside to cool.

4. To make the caramel-pecan sauce: In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat melt together the brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly.

4. Remove the caramel sauce from the heat then add the vanilla and toasted pecans. Stir until the pecans are coated. Set aside to cool slightly.

5. To make the ganache: in a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream in 20 second increments stopping to stir each time. Repeat until completely smooth.

6. Place the bundt cake on a cake pedestal or platter. Drizzle with ⅓ of the chocolate ganache and ⅓ of the caramel pecan sauce. Repeat drizzling the cake on all sides until both of the sauces are used.

7. Store chilled bringing to room temperature for serving.

NOTES
The caramel-pecan sauce and chocolate ganache should still be warm but still pourable before drizzling onto the cake.