Chocolate on Chocolate Angel Food Cake

chocangel

chocangelWhat You Need:

1 C + 1 T of flour
1 1/3 C confectioners’ sugar
1/3 C of unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 t ground ginger
9 large egg whites
1 t of cream of tartar
1/4 t of salt
1 T of vanilla extract
1 C + 2 T of sugar
8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 T light corn syrup
1 C heavy cream

How to Make It:

Place the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Sift together the flour, confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder
Place the egg whites and cream of tartar into a separate mixing bowl.
Add the salt and vanilla.
Use an electric mixer on medium speed and whisk together until soft peaks form.
Place the mixer on high speed and slowly add in 1/3 of the sugar mixing as you add.
When the sugar is mixed in slowly add another 1/3 of the sugar.
When that sugar is mixed in, add in the remaining sugar and mix until medium peaks form.
Fold in the flour mixture until moist and blended in well.
Pour the batter into an ungreased angel food cake pan.
Bake for 35 minutes or until the cake bounces back easily when lightly touched.
Invert the cake on a wire rack but leave the cake covered with the pan until cool.
To make the glaze place the semisweet chocolate into a mixing bowl.
Pour the syrup over the chocolate and let set.
Place the heavy cream in a saucepan.
Place the pan over medium high heat and bring it to a steady boil.
Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and whisk until smooth and creamy.
Unmold the cake and turn it right side up.
Spoon the glaze over the cake allowing it run down the sides.

Makes 8 servings

Remember not to grease your angel food cake pan. It is important for the egg whites to stick to the sides of the pan so the cake can rise. Make your cake an eye catcher by garnishing it with maraschino cherries or candied ginger.

Special Chocolate Scones

chocchips

chocobakingsheetWhat You Need:

2 C of flour
4 T + 1 t of sugar, divided
2 t baking powder
1/2 t of salt
1 stick + 2 T of unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
1 C of semisweet chocolate chips
1 large egg yolk
1/2 C of half and half, chilled

How to Make It:

Set the oven temperature to 375 degrees preheating the oven.
Place the oven rack into the center of the oven.
Spray a baking sheet with a non stick cooking spray and set aside.
Place the flour and 4 T of sugar into a mixing bowl.
Add the baking powder and salt and whisk to blend.
Add the butter to the flour mixture.
Cut the butter into the mixture with a pastry blender until crumbly.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Whisk the egg yolk and half and half together in a small mixing bowl.
Pour the egg mixture over the flour mixture.
Using a fork toss the mixture until a soft dough forms.
Lightly flour a cutting board or flat surface.
Place the dough on the flour.
Knead using your hands 6 times then form the dough into a disk.
Cut the disk into 6 equal size pieces.
Place the cut dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
Sprinkle the remaining sugar evenly over the 6 disks.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a golden brown on the bottom.
Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Makes 6 scones

Serve these special scones warm with a little cream or whipped topping. These scones are best if eaten on the day they were baked. If you have leftovers they can be reheated by wrapping them in foil and placing them on a baking sheet. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 5 minutes or until heated through.

Bittersweet Chocolate and Cappuccino Cream Tart

choctartcapcrm

choctartcapcrmWhat You Need:

1 fully baked prepared shortbread crust
1/2 C of heavy whipping cream
3 T of whole milk
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 large egg
1 T of sugar
1/8 t of salt
2 T of confectioners’ sugar
1 t of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 t of instant espresso powder
1/2 C cold whipping cream

How to Make It:

Place the oven rack in the middle rung of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Pour the heavy cream and milk into a saucepan and place the pan over medium heat.
Bring the liquid to a rapid boil then remove from the heat.
Add the chopped chocolate, swirling the pan slightly so all the chocolate is covered.
Let the chocolate stand in the hot liquid for 1 minute then stir to melt completely.
In a small bowl whisk the egg, sugar and salt until well blended.
Slow pour 1/4 C of the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.
Stir as you add so the egg doesn’t cook with the hot liquid.
When the chocolate mixture is blended, add the remaining chocolate and whisk well.
Spread the filling into the pie crust.
Bake the tart for 16 minutes or until the center is set.
Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.
In a bowl whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa and espresso powder.
Slowly whisk in the cold whipping cream.
Beat with an electric mixer on high speed 1 minute or until stiff peaks from.
Remove the tart from the pan and place on a platter, pouring the cream over the top.

Makes 8 servings

If you have a tart pan it will make the removal of this cake easier. If a tart pan is not available a non metal spatula and kitchen knife will also work. Run the knife carefully along the sides and under the tart. Lift the tart with the spatula and carefully place on the platter.

Light and Creamy Clams

creamy-clams

creamy-clamsWhat You Need:

1 C of water
1 C dry white wine
2 t of minced garlic
8 lbs. clams
4 T of cream

How to Make It:

Place the water, wine and garlic into the pressure cook and stir to blend.
Add the clams carefully and bring the cooker to high pressure over medium heat.
Cook for 3 minutes then reduce the pressure quickly under running cold water.
Remove the claims with a slotted spoon to a serving dish.
Boil the remaining broth until it is reduced to half the amount.
Gently stir the cream into the remaining broth.
Pour the sauce over the claims before serving.

Pressure cooking saves a lot of time. Foods cooked in a pressure cooker retain more vitamins than when cooked on top of the stove or in the oven. Steam removes more of the oxygen from the food than most normal cooking methods.

Makes 8 servings

Scrumptious Chocolate Gelato

chocolate-ice-cream-dishWhat You Need:

4 C of whole milk
1 1/3 C of sugar
12 egg yolks, beaten
12 oz. semisweet chocolate melted

How to Make It:

Position a saucepan over medium heat.
Pour the milk into the saucepan.
Dump in the sugar.
Stir the egg yolks into the mixture.
Cook the mixture for 4 minutes or until it coats the back of a metal spoon.
Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the melted chocolate until well combined.
Place plastic wrap over the surface of the mixture.
Refrigerate 3 hours or until the mixture becomes very cold.
Transfer the mixture to the ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Ripen for 4 hours if desired.

Makes 16 servings

This Italian style of ice cream is not as rich as most ice cream. It is made with milk instead of cream giving it a more mellow taste. You can quickly chill the chocolate mixture in an ice bath for 1 hour. Just be sure to stir it often so that it chills through.

Cherish You Strawberry Delight

Semi-sweet chocolate chipsImage via Wikipedia

What You Need:

1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 C heavy whipping cream
2 T orange juice
2 C fresh strawberries, sliced
4 slices pound cake, cubed

How to Make It:

Place the chocolate chips into a small saucepan.
Pour the whipping cream over the chips.
Place the pan on low heat and stirring constantly melt the chips until they are smooth.
Remove the pan from heat and blend in the orange juice.
Cool the mixture about 30 or until room temperature.
Place the sliced strawberries in the bottom of dessert cups.
Layer the pound cake on top of the strawberries.
Spoon the chocolate mixture over the top.

Serving Size: 4

What better way to tell your loved ones how much you cherish them. Serve this dessert and they will have no doubts. Not fond of strawberries then use raspberries, orange slices or your favorite fruit instead.

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