Fresh Mint Chocolate Truffle Tart

I love chocolate mint combinations and this did not fail. However I will note that this chocolate mint combo is not similar to an Andes mint or a girl scout cookie. This is fresh mint...it's like if you were to purchase some mint and smell it, that's the mint taste in this dessert because its fresh mint and not mint extract. That being mentioned, this would also be wonderful using the extract versus the fresh mint if you prefer. (Wow I just used the word 9 times is 4 sentences-yikes)

This tart was fairly quick and easy, I made the dough in a food processor, though you don't have to. Instead of chopping up chocolate bars, I used chocolate chips. Please give this a try!



Fresh Mint Chocolate Truffle Tart (from William Sonoma)

1 rolled-out rectangle of basic tart dough (from here)
1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
8 to 10 fresh mint sprigs (about 40 leaves), plus sprigs for garnish
12 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped into small slivers, or use chocolate chips
2 Tbs. light corn syrup
Confectioners’ sugar or unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Fold the dough rectangle in half and carefully transfer to a 9" tart pan, preferably with a removable bottom. Unfold and ease the rectangle into the pan, without stretching it, and pat it firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Trim off any excess dough by gently running a rolling pin across the top of the pan. Press the dough into the sides to extend it slightly above the rim to offset any shrinkage during baking.

Refrigerate or freeze the tart shell until firm, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 375°F.

Line the pastry shell with aluminum foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or raw short-grain rice. Bake for 20 minutes, then lift an edge of the foil. If the dough looks wet, continue to bake, checking every 5 minutes, until the dough is pale gold, for a total baking time of 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the weights and foil. Continue to bake until the shell is golden, 7 to 10 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the cream until small bubbles appear on the surface. Remove from the heat and add the mint sprigs. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes.

Put the chocolate in the top of a double boiler, set over but not touching barely simmering water and melt, stirring occasionally. Pour the cream through a fine-mesh sieve into the melted chocolate, discarding the mint sprigs. Add the corn syrup and stir until smooth. Pour the filling into the tart shell.

Refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour. If using a tart pan with a removable bottom, let the sides fall away, then slide the tart onto a serving plate. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving to take the chill off. Just before serving, lay strips of waxed paper over the top of the tart and dust lightly with confectioners sugar. Carefully remove the strips and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Enjoy!

Cream Cheese Brownies

These little bars taste as lovely as they look. I did not have enough unsweetend chocolate on hand, so I successfully swapped 3 Tbsp of cocoa and 1 Tbsp oil, butter, or shortening for every ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate you are substituting. The cream cheese brownies were easy to assemble, I do hope you get a chance to try them!

Cream Cheese Brownies (from Joy of Baking)

Brownie Layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped (see note above)
1 1/4 cups granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg

Cream Cheese Brownies: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Have ready a 9 x 9 inch square baking pan that has been lined with aluminum foil across the bottom and up two opposite sides of the pan.

In a stainless steel (heatproof) bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the butter and chocolate. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and vanilla extract. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well (with a wooden spoon) after each addition. Stir in the flour and salt and beat, with a wooden spoon, until the batter is smooth and glossy and comes away from the sides of the pan (about one minute). Remove 1/2 cup of the brownie batter and set it aside. Place the remainder of the brownie batter evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan.

Then, in the bowl of your food processor (or with a hand mixer), process the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla, and egg and process just until creamy and smooth. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the brownie layer. Spoon small dollops of the reserved brownie batter evenly on top of the cream cheese filling. Then with a table knife or wooden skewer, swirl the two batters without mixing them.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the edges of the brownies are just beginning to brown (for me I think I baked these close to 40 minutes, while upping the oven temperature to 350 degrees for the last few minutes.) Either way keep an eye on your oven and your bars and remove them when they match the description of finished product.

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate the brownies until they are firm enough to cut into squares (at least two hours). Once chilled, remove the brownies from the pan by lifting with the ends of the foil and transfer to a cutting board. It is a good idea to have a damp cloth nearby to wipe your knife between cuts.

These brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Boston Cream Pie

(*It looks like a reindeer cake doesn't it-heehee!)

Boston Cream Pie is a wonderful treat, it's definitely not an everyday dessert. I've had this one bookmarked for awhile so I was happy to try it finally. I, along with many people, wonder why is it called Boston Cream Pie? This explanation I found was originally presented on the Joy of Baking's website, it reads as follows:

There are two questions that immediately come to mind when you hear Boston Cream Pie. One is "Why is it called a pie?", and the other is "Why the name 'Boston'?". To answer the first question of why "pie" instead of "cake", it is probably because colonists baked their cakes in pie tins as they did not own cake pans. As far as calling it Boston Cream Pie, the story began when a New York newspaper in 1855 published a recipe for a 'Pudding Pie Cake'. This recipe was similar to the Boston Cream Pie recipe of today except that it had a powdered sugar topping. From there we go to Boston where a man named Harvey D. Parker opened a restaurant called the Parker House Restaurant. On the menu was a 'Parker House Chocolate Pie', the recipe to which was similar to the New York newspaper recipe except a chocolate glaze had replaced the powdered sugar topping. We are not sure how it was renamed to 'Boston Cream Pie', but Bo Friberg in his book 'The Professional Pastry Chef' thinks "the name stems from the original title (in the New York paper) combined with the reference to Boston."

Boston Cream Pie (from Joy of Baking)

Pastry Cream:

1/4 cup granulated white sugar
3 large egg yolks
1/8 cup all-purpose flour
Scant 3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sponge Cake:

5 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated white sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup plain cake flour (not self-rising)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Chocolate Glaze:

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon unsalted butter


Pastry Cream: In a medium-sized stainless steel bowl, mix the sugar and egg yolks. (Do not let this mixture sit too long.) Sift the flour and cornstarch together and then add to the egg mixture, mixing until you get a smooth paste. Set aside.

Meanwhile in a small saucepan, bring the milk just to a boil over medium heat. (Watch carefully and remove from heat just as the milk starts to foam up.) Pour the milk slowly into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.

Place the egg mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until boiling, whisking constantly. When it boils, continue to whisk constantly for another 30 - 60 seconds until it becomes thick.

Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour into a clean bowl and immediately cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a crust from forming. Let the cream cool in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Sponge Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven. Butter and line the bottoms of two - 8 inch round cake pans with parchment paper. While the eggs are still cold separate three of the eggs, placing the yolks in one large mixing bowl and the whites in another bowl. To the yolks, add the two remaining eggs. Cover the two bowls with plastic wrap and allow the eggs to come to room temperature before using (about 30 minutes).

Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the flours, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Place the milk and butter in a small saucepan, over low heat, and warm until the butter melts. Remove from heat, cover, and keep warm.

In your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, (or with a hand mixer) beat the whole eggs and yolks and 6 tablespoons of the sugar on high speed for about five minutes, or until they are thick, fluffy and light colored (when you slowly raise the beaters the batter will fall back into the bowl in a slow ribbon). Beat in the vanilla extract.

In another clean mixing bowl, with the whisk attachment, (or with a hand mixer) beat the egg whites and cream of tartar, at low speed, until foamy. Increase the speed to medium-high and gradually add the remaining sugar, beating until soft, moist peaks form. Gently fold a little of the whites into the batter to lighten it, and then add the rest of the whites folding just until incorporated. Sift half of the flour mixture over the top of the batter and gently fold through with a rubber spatula or whisk. Sift the remaining flour over the batter and fold in. Do not over mix.

Make a well in the center of the batter and pour the melted butter/milk mixture into the bowl. Gently but thoroughly fold the butter mixture into the batter. Do not over mix.

Divide the batter between the two prepared pans, smoothing the tops, and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until light brown and springy to the touch. (A toothpick inserted in the middle will come out clean.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Immediately run a spatula or sharp knife around the inside of the pans and then invert the cakes onto a wire rack. Remove parchment paper and re-invert. Cool completely. When the cakes have cooled and you are ready to assemble the Boston Cream Pie, make the Chocolate Glaze.

Place the chopped chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring the cream and butter just to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for a 3-5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth. Set aside for a few minutes until it has thickened to pouring consistency.

To Assemble: Place one cake layer on your serving plate, bottom side facing up. Spoon the pastry cream onto the cake (if your pastry cream has thickened too much while chilling, using a hand mixer, beat the pastry cream with a little bit of milk and it should lighten up,) spreading to make an even layer. Place the second cake layer (bottom side up) onto the filling. Pour the glaze onto the center of the cake and carefully spread the glaze, with an offset spatula, to the edges of the cake, allowing the glaze to drip down the sides.

Let the cake sit until the glaze sets, about one hour. Serve. This cake is best eaten the same day it is made. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. Serves 8-10

Mississippi Mud Pie

Thinking back one of my favorite restaurant desserts was called Mocha Mud Pie aka Mississippi Mud Pie. I really liked the coffee/chocolate combination topped with almonds. However when the combo is paired together, it's not a strong coffee flavor. My husband has never had a dessert like this before, I figured he would like it, but I didn't figure he'd grab a bite so early in the day. You see, I finished making this in the evening, and with no natural light I hesitated grabbing a quick photo and I figured I would get it in the morning when I got up. I didn't say anything to him, figuring he would wait.

I got up, went to the freezer after a bit to grab the dessert out to snap a quick photo and there was a big piece missing! He said it looked too tasty to wait! (I guess I didn't blame him :) So the photo above reflects that-heehee. The chocolate cookie crust required chocolate cookies (obviously!) I chose to use Teddy Grahams-Chocolate, they are tiny, cute and way too tasty! But into the food processor they went.



Mississippi Mud Pie (from William Sonoma)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1⁄4 cup heavy cream
2 Tbs. light corn syrup
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cookie crumb crust made with chocolate cookies, separate recipe found here)
1⁄2 cup toffee bits or coarsely chopped
toasted almonds
1.5 quarts premium coffee ice cream, softened

In the top pan of a double boiler, combine the chocolate chips, butter, cream and corn syrup. Set over but not touching barely simmering water in the bottom pan until the chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally. Or, in a microwave proof bowl, combine the chocolate, butter, cream and corn syrup and melt in the microwave for 30-second intervals. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth.

Add the confectioners sugar and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and mix well. Reserve 1/2 cup of the chocolate mixture for the top of the pie. Spread the remaining mixture evenly in the bottom of the cookie crust. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the ice cream on medium speed until it is spreadable but not runny. Immediately mound into the pie shell and spread evenly. Freeze until the ice cream is firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

Reheat the reserved chocolate mixture in the top of the double boiler over barely simmering water, or in the microwave for 30-second intervals, until it is spreadable but not hot. Using a spatula, spread it over the ice cream. Sprinkle with the remaining toffee bits or almonds and return the pie to the freezer until it is completely firm before serving, 3 to 4 hours.

To slice, run a knife under hot water, then dry it off. If frozen overnight, the pie may need to stand at room temperature for a few minutes before it is soft enough to slice easily. Makes one 9-inch pie; serves 8.

Nutella Brownies

As always, our trusty Nutella has never steered me wrong. I think, for me, anytime I see Nutella in the name of a recipe, I can almost instantly assume that it will be a hit. The original recipe calls for caramel and hazelnuts, which unfortunately I did not have on hand. I tossed around the idea of making my own caramel sauce, but just decided that was to be too much work, I forged ahead without. The results were just as lovely without, however, I feel there should be a way to work in a cream cheese swirl. Let me know if anybody figures out a way to work that in :)

Nutella Brownies (Inspired by bell'alimento at Tasty Kitchen)

½ cups All-purpose Flour
⅓ cups Cocoa Powder
¼ teaspoons Baking Powder
1 pinch Salt
1 cup Sugar
½ stick Unsalted Butter
2 whole Eggs
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
½ almond extract
¼ cups Nutella (1/4 cup Nutella, melted if desiredfor garnishing)
Nuts, if desired (I used pecans because thats what I had on hand) hazelnuts would be ideal though.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Into a mixing bowl, add your flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder. Using a whisk, mix together and set aside. Into your stand mixer or in a bowl using a hand mixed, add the sugar and butter; cream together. Add in eggs one at a time and mix well. Add in your vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually add in your flour mixture until it’s well combined. Batter should be thick and sticky.

Spray an 8"x*" ovenproof dish with cooking spray. Place a piece of parchment paper (slightly larger than your dish to allow for handles) inside. It will adhere to the bottom of the dish. Pour the batter in the prepared dish. Spoon the Nutella over the batter, and swirl throughout the batter using a spoon or a spatula. Place in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until sides are firm and center is no longer giggly.

Allow brownies to cool completely before removing. Cut your brownies to your desired size using a serrated knife. Make a small indentation with your finger into each brownie. Take your melted Nutella and drizzle over the tops of the brownies. Garnish with the nuts.

Nutella Rocky Road Tart

*Sorry teddy grahams, you are cute and tasty but you'll be cookie crumbs soon!

Oh my my-I've really done it this time! I asked for a vote and the vote was nearly unanimous, I needed to make something with Nutella. I wish I had words for how tasty this little one is. There is something extraordinary that comes with the meeting of Nutella and chocolate ganache that makes mouths happy. When the recipe states "whisk in the Nutella and pour over tart shell," after you have done that do yourself a favor and pause and lick the whisk and the bowl clean, you'll be glad you did.

OK, enough with the praises! Seriously, this recipe came together quite quickly, it was very easy, and is sure to impress. The original recipe calls for a 14"x4" tart pan, sort of a rectangular shape. I used a 9"tart round tart pan, but I suppose you could easily substitute an 8" or 9" pie pan/plate or even a 9"x9" square pan. There's no excuse now-try this.

Nutella Rocky Road Tart (From Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)

Crust:

1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (I used Chocolate Teddy Grahams)

6 Tbsp melted butter

Filling:

6 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup mini marshmallows, divided

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, divided

Directions for the crust:

*Spray your cooking vessel with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl mix together your cookie crumbs and melted butter so that it forms the consistency of wet sand. I used a food processor as I had to crush my little teddy grahams, so I added the butter directly to the food processor after they were made into crumbs.

Dump the crumbs into your pan and use either your fingers or the bottom of a glass or a measuring cup to press the crumbs down and up the sides of your pan forming a full crust. Using the center rack in your oven, bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Directions for filling:

Place the chocolate chips in a medium sized bowl and set aside. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Once that happens, pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit undisturbed for two whole minutes. After that, whisk until the two are incorporated. Whisk in the Nutella and the resulting mixture should be smooth and glossy.

Assembling the tart:

Place half of the marshmallows and walnuts in the tart shell. Pour the chocolate mixture over the tart shell, covering the marshmallows and walnuts. Once that is complete, top with remaining marshmallows and walnuts.

Place in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Cut and serve. This dessert is very rich, so servings should be a little smaller, serves about 10.

Fudge

I didn't know before this year that Fudge is actually considered a candy. I guess I don't know what I thought it was, I knew what it was of course. It's not a cookie, or a bar, but actually it's candy. Many friends of mine request fudge each year, the recipe I use isn't special or unique I don't think, but it always turns out lovely.

For favors at our wedding we chose to give out homemade fudge. Some give out cute little trinkets, or colored candies, or photos or cd's, we gave out fudge. In fact we made so much of it I had to take a few years off from making it, I was all fudged out! I'm glad I was able to finally return, because the 'chocolatey-ness' of them is calling my name!

To read more about fudge, check out Alton Brown

Fudge (from Toll House)

1.5 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup (5 oz) evaporated milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1.5 cups semi sweet chocolate morsels (I used Guittard)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Line a 8"x8" square baking pan with foil

Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in a medium heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 4 to 5 minutes, remove from heat.

Stir in marshmallows, chocolate morsels, vanilla, and nuts if using. Stir vigorously for one minute. Pour into prepared baking dish and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan, remove foil, and cut into bite sized pieces.

Chocolate Pudding

I first saw this recipe watch Tyler Florence on the Food Network. I believe it was "Ultimate Soup and 'Sammy Favorites." The theme was obviously comfort foods that are great on a rainy day or a cold and chilly day. The show started out with a killer grilled cheese sandwich, not your ordinary Kraft or Velveeta sandwich. Then the soup was a Minestrone, that I have made a number of times and my husband loves it! I'll blog about that one in the coming weeks. And finally it ended with a good homemade chocolate pudding. Gasp! A pudding made without a little packet of powder and milk, pudding not from a little refrigerated cup! I know the other two are super easy and quick, and I do love my little pudding snack pack every now and then, especially the milk and dark chocolate combo. Or butterscotch pudding, I like that one also.

But, this was easy. I had made coconut macaroons earlier and had 4 egg yolks to use up (the macaroons require 4 egg whites) and not wanting to waste anything I whipped up a batch of pudding. My husband knows that when there are macaroons, there will always be pudding to follow!

Chocolate Pudding (from Tyler Florence)

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder, all natural

4tsp corn starch

2 cups whole milk

3 egg yolks

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp fine salt

In a small nonreactive sauce pan combine 1 1/2 cup milk, cocoa powder, and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Remove from heat.

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, corn starch, salt, 1/2 cup whole milk, vanilla. Gradually whisk in the hot mixture. Then return the combined mixtures to the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for another 6-8 minutes until pudding thickens. Remove from heat and portion into containers. I can usually get 4 servings per batch. Original recipe states 6. I guess this depends on the size of your serving vessel.

Once portioned, wrap the top with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap actually makes physical contact with the top of the pudding so a thick skin doesn't form. Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving, or ideally overnight.

Serve with a little whipped topping if you like and enjoy!