Tag Archives: Chocolate

Feb27

Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches

Posted on by
Standard

There’s always room for dessert, especially for this sweet treat; it’s delicious and takes almost no time to prepare.

Grilled Cocolate Sandwiches

PREP: 15 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 15 MINS
SERVINGS:4

INGREDIENTS

2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
4 large slices challah or Italian Bread, (cut 3/4 inch thick)
4 ounces thin semisweet chocolate bar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
In a large, shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk; set aside.
STEP 2
Form two sandwiches with the bread and chocolate (break chocolate as necessary to cover bread without extending over edges); dip both sides of sandwiches in egg mixture to coat.
STEP 3
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat; transfer sandwiches to skillet. Cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Cut in half, and dust with confectioners’; sugar before serving.

Feb22

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Posted on by
Standard

This is a very rich pie, but oh-so wonderful. If you like chocolate and peanut butter, you’ll like this!

Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Pie-recipe

For the crust:

1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick), unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until well blended. Press the mixture into the sides and bottom of a nine-inch deep dish pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool completely.

For the filling:

14 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Beat cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and mix well.
Beat in the melted butter gradually. In a separate bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form.
Gently fold the cream into the peanut butter mixture using a spatula. Do not over beat.
Pour into the prepared, cool crust and refrigerate for several hours until set.

For the Ganache:

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 ounces semisweet chocolate finely chopped (high-quality such as Ghiradelli – not chocolate chips).

Bring the cream to a boil in a saucepan. Pour over the chocolate in a bowl. Stir gently to melt the chocolate and mix well. Cool slightly and spread evenly over the pie. Chill until served. Cut with a knife that has been heated under hot water and wiped dry between each slice.

Feb21

Chocolate-Whiskey Soufflé Tarts

Posted on by
Standard

Chocolate-Whiskey Soufflé Tarts

There’s just a wee bit of the favorite Irish spirit in these treats. Enjoy!

Serves 8

Ingredients
For crust
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon (scant) salt

For filling
10 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup Irish whiskey
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 teaspoons instant coffee crystals
Pinch of salt
4 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
Sweetened whipped cream
Chocolate shavings (optional)

Preparation

Make crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend all ingredients in processor just until dough gathers together. Shape dough into log. Cut into 8 equal rounds. Press 1 round over bottom and up sides of each of eight 4 1/2 x 3/4-inch tartlet pans with removable bottom. Pierce crusts with fork. Bake crusts until pale golden, about 18 minutes. Cool in pans on rack.

Make filling:
Set aside generous 1/3 cup chopped chocolate. Place remaining chopped chocolate in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); stir until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water. Whisk in whiskey, vanilla, coffee and salt, then yolks. Beat egg whites in another medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Fold half of whites into chocolate mixture. Fold in reserved 1/3 cup chopped chocolate, then remaining whites. Divide mixture among crusts. Freeze at least 3 hours. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and keep frozen.)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Push bottom of frozen tartlets up to release from pan sides. Arrange tartlets on pan bottoms on baking sheet. Bake until filling puffs and begins to crack, about 20 minutes. Place tartlets on plates. Spoon whipped cream alongside. Top with chocolate shavings, if desired.

Feb19

Baileys Chocolate Pudding Parfaits with Oatmeal-Walnut Crunch

Posted on by
Standard

The oatmeal and nut mixture in this dessert is usually baked on fruit. Here, it is cooked on its own, then layered with currants and a pudding made with Baileys Original Irish Cream topped off with chocolate shavings. Delicious!

Baileys Pudding Parfaits with Oatmeal-Walnut Crunch

Serves 6

Ingredients

For crunch
1 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
3/4 cup dark chocolate shavings

For pudding
1 1/4 cups chilled whipping cream
12 tablespoons Baileys Original Irish Cream
3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
6 large egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 tablespoons dried currants

Preparation

Make crunch:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture forms moist clumps. Mix in walnuts. Sprinkle mixture onto rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crisp, occasionally stirring gently and leaving mixture in clumps, about 35 minutes. Cool completely. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight.)

Make pudding:
Combine 3/4 cup cream, 6 tablespoons Baileys liqueur, sugar, yolks and nutmeg in large metal bowl. Place over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Using electric mixer, beat until custard thickens and thermometer registers 160°F, about 8 minutes. Remove from over water and beat until cool, about 8 minutes. Mix in remaining 6 tablespoons liqueur. Beat remaining 1/2 cup cream in medium bowl to medium peaks. Fold into custard. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

Layer 1/4 cup pudding, 1 tablespoon currants and 3 tablespoons crunch in each of six 12-ounce goblets; repeat layering 1 more time. Top with chocolate shavings. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 hour.

Feb18

Grilled Dark Chocolate, Pomegranate & Almond Butter Sandwiches

Posted on by
Standard

If you could just give me a moment…alone with this sandwich, I’d appreciate it. I am a loyal fan of grilled sandwiches, especially of the cheese variety. But, this sandwich is great especially for my readers who have to watch their dairy intake. You can’t keep a girl from her bread though. #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM I give you the grilled dark chocolate, pomegranate and almond butter sandwich. Your taste buds will thank me!

Grilled-Pomegranate-Almond-Butter-and-Dark-Chocolate-Sandwich-minimalistbaker.com_

Yield: 2 Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS
4 slices whole grain crusty bread
2 Tbsp dairy-free butter (Earth Balance) or olive oil
4 Tbsp roasted salted almond butter
4 squares dark chocolate (dairy-free for vegan; don’t exceed 70% cacao)
2-3 Tbsp pomegranate perils

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Butter the outsides of four slices of bread, then slather the inside of two slices with almond butter. Next add two large squares of chocolate on top of the almond butter and top with pomegranate arils. Top with the other slice of bread, buttered side up and place the sandwich in the skillet.

Push down with a heavy spatula to compress. Gently flip when the bottom is browned and crusty – about 2-3 minutes. (be careful not to burn) Cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side. Serve immediately.

Feb17

Chocolate Shoofly Pie

Posted on by
Standard

Chocolate Shoofly Pie

Chocolate Shoofly Pie is a moist, delicious pie with a gooey bittersweet chocolate bottom to it. This is the most authentic in flavor that I’ve ever tasted. Serve this pie with homemade vanilla bean ice cream and a hot cup of coffee or tea, snuggled up by the fireplace with someone you love.

Ingredients

1 (9 inch) pie shell
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter flavored shortening
1 egg, beaten
1 cup unsulfured molasses
3/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a small bowl, mix together flour and brown sugar. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture for topping the pie.
3. In a large bowl, combine egg, molasses, cold water, and remaining crumb mixture. Mix thoroughly. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and add to molasses mixture. Mix well.
4. Spread chocolate chips across bottom of pastry-lined pie pan. Pour filling over chocolate chips. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until filling is set.

Feb16

Chocolate Napoleons Recipe

Posted on by
Standard

Chocolate Napoleons Recipe

Ready for flaky layers of pastry overstuffed with a decadent chocolate filling? Good, because these Chocolate Napoleons are so delicious that you just might need to make more than one per person!

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min.
Bake: 10 min.
MAKES: 12 servings

Ingredients
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
2 cups cold milk
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
2 packages (3.9 ounces each) instant chocolate pudding mix
TOPPING:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Directions
On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry into a 12-in. square. Cut into twelve 4-in. x 3-in. rectangles. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 9-12 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. In a small bowl, whisk milk and sour cream until smooth. Add pudding mix; whisk for 2 minutes or until blended. Refrigerate for 5 minutes. To assemble, split each pastry in half. Spoon pudding mixture over bottom halves and replace tops. Combine confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth; drizzle over top. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Serve immediately.

Feb15

Chocolate Crepes With Orange & Chocolate Sauce

Posted on by
Standard

I am really loving the combination of chocolate and orange flavors lately. #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CREPES WITH ORANGE-&-CHOCOLATE SAUCE

INGREDIENTS
6 Tbsp pinch of salt
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp sugar
¼ cup pinch of salt
1 skim milk
2 tsp large eggs
¼ cup canola oil, divided
½ cup water

DIRECTIONS
1. To make crepes: Combine flour, cocoa, sugar, salt, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon oil and water in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour or for up to 24 hours.

INGREDIENTS
½ cup sugar
2 water
1 cup zest from 2 oranges, cut into very thin strips

DIRECTIONS

2. To make orange syrup: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, add orange zest, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened and the zest is tender. Several times during the cooking, brush the sides of the saucepan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water to keep sugar crystals from forming on the sides. Remove from heat and let cool.

INGREDIENTS

2 ½ Tbsp yogurt cheese (see Tip)
1 tsp confectioners’ sugar
vanilla extract
Chocolate Sauce (recipe follows)

DIRECTIONS

3. To make filling: Whisk together yogurt cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in a small bowl until well-blended. Cover and refrigerate.

4. To cook and assemble crepes: If necessary, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water to crepe batter so that it has the consistency of light cream. Heat a small nonstick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles when sprinkled on the surface. Reduce heat to medium-low. Brush pan with a little of the remaining 1 teaspoon oil as needed to prevent sticking. Pour about 2 tablespoons batter on the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom evenly. Cook 30 to 40 seconds until the top of the crepe has a dull surface and the edges begin to curl. Flip and cook for 20 to 30 seconds, or until the crepe is firm. Remove to a plate and cover with a dry cloth. Repeat with remaining crepes. (The crepes may be stacked until served.)

5. Place a crepe on a dessert plate. Spread 2 tablespoons of filling across the middle. Fold in half and spoon 1 tablespoon Chocolate Sauce over top or beside it. Spoon 2 teaspoons orange syrup and zest over the crepe. Repeat with remaining crepes.

Tip: To make 1 cup of yogurt cheese, line a colander with a large cotton towel or double thickness of cheesecloth, and place the colander in the sink. Pour in 3 cups low-fat yogurt. After 15 minutes, transfer the colander to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours or overnight. Gathering the edges of the towel together, gently squeeze out any remaining liquid. Transfer cheese to a separate container. Refrigerate until ready to use. Keeps 1 week.

Feb14

Israeli Chocolate-Coated Orange Peels

Posted on by
Standard

Often when you drop in at someone’s home in Israel, the hostess will set these out for guests.

Israeli Chocolate-Coated Orange Peels 2

3 oranges
2 cups sugar, plus extra for rolling
1 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) chocolate, finely chopped, divided
2 teaspoons canola oil
Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Set aside.

2. Scrub oranges well, and cut in half. Scoop out the flesh and reserve for another use. Place the shells in a medium bowl and cover with cold water, keeping them under water with a small plate or lid. Let soak for about 4 hours or overnight, replacing the water once.

3. Cut each shell in half, and place in a large heavy saucepan. Add water to cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 15 minutes. Drain and repeat the process. When oranges are cool enough to handle, cut into strips about 1/4 by 2 inches. Return the strips to the saucepan, add sugar and 1 cup water.

4. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until liquid is almost gone, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (Watch closely toward the end of cooking.) Add the lemon juice and stir to coat the strips. Drain the strips in a sieve. When they are cool enough to handle, spread on the prepared baking sheet.

5. Reserve 1/4 cup of the chocolate and place the remaining chocolate and the oil in the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water. Stir just until melted, remove double boiler from heat, then add the remaining chocolate, stirring until melted.

6. Roll each orange strip in sugar, then dip half of each peel into the chocolate and return to the baking sheet. Place in the freezer for a minute or two to let the chocolate set. Remove from the freezer and let them sit for several hours until they are firm.

Feb13

Chocolate-Filled Wontons

Posted on by
Standard

These little treats look like traditional wontons. To achieve the look, fill wonton wrappers with chopped chocolate, fold in half and fry in oil. Dust with confectioners sugar if desired.

Chocolate-Filled Wontons 1

Yields: 24

Ingredients

24 wonton wrappers
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup(s) (3 ounces) finely chopped milk chocolate
2 1/2 cup(s) vegetable oil

Directions

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Brush edges of each wonton wrapper with egg and place 1 teaspoon chocolate in center. Fold wrappers in half over chocolate and press edges firmly to seal. When oil is hot (an extra wonton wrapper should sizzle and float to top when added), fry wontons, four at a time, until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes, flipping occasionally.