Almond Espresso Chocolate Cake Food

ALMOND CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake, pudding mix, water, oil, eggs and extract; beat until combined. Stir in 2 cups chocolate chips. , Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. , In a small saucepan, combine the creamer and remaining chocolate chips. Cook over low heat until chips are melted; stir until smooth. Cool for 45 minutes. Drizzle over cake. Garnish with almonds.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE & ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 and line the base of a 20cm springform tin with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of just-simmering water, or in the microwave in 20-second bursts. Stir, then leave to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, tip the eggs and sugar into a second bowl and beat with an electric whisk for 4-5 mins, or until thick and creamy. Add the mascarpone or soft cheese and vanilla, and continue to beat until everything is combined. Lightly fold in the cooled melted chocolate mixture until everything is one even colour, then fold in the almonds. Sift over the cocoa powder and a small pinch of salt, and fold in to combine.
• Scrape the cake batter into the prepared tin. Put the tin on a baking tray and bake for 35-40 mins until the cake is puffed up and has cracked on top. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 30-40 mins - it will deflate as it cools. Serve warm as a chocolate pudding, or leave to cool completely and enjoy as a fudgy brownie cake. Dust with extra cocoa powder before serving.

ESPRESSO, CHOCOLATE & CHILLI CAKE WITH COFFEE CREAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease a 22cm springform cake tin with soft butter and line the bottom with baking parchment. Shake a little flour around the buttered edges.
• Melt the chocolate and butter together over a pan of simmering water, or in a microwave. Once melted, whisk together until smooth and add the espresso powder and chillies and chilli powder, if using. Whisk the egg yolks with the brown sugar and caster sugar, either in an electric mixer or with an electric hand whisk, for 5-10 mins until thick and pale. In a separate bowl, using a clean whisk, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft rounded peaks form.
• Pour the chocolate mixture onto the beaten yolks and sugar, and gently mix until smooth. Add the almonds and flour and mix again. Spoon the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and gently fold together. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 40-45 mins until the cake is set but with a slight jiggle in the centre. (If the cake is starting to brown too quickly, cover with a piece of baking parchment.)
• Leave to cool in the tin - it will sink a little as it cools. Run a knife around the inside of the cake tin to loosen. Remove the baking parchment and place on a cake stand. Whisk the cream and espresso powder until soft peaks form. Serve on the side or spoon on top of the cake dusted with a little cocoa powder.

ALMOND CHOCOLATE CAKE (NO FLOUR)

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a small mixing bowl, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes-save yolks for step 6.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine almonds and 2 tablespoons of sugar; using a food processor put small amounts of this mixture into processor, cover and process until ground--you want this to be fine textured.
• Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in the chocolate, espresso, cocoa, orange juice, espresso granules, vanilla, and reserved almond mixture.
• Beat reserved egg whites on high until stiff peaks form.
• Fold egg whites into the batter.
• Pour into a greased 9 inch spring form pan.
• Place pan on a baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 42 to 48 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
• Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool completely.
• Garnish with confectioners' sugar, chocolate curls, and coffee beans if desired.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream and extracts; mix well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. , Pour into a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50-55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. , For frosting, cream butter, sugar and extracts in a small bowl until smooth. Add milk until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Spread over cake. Decorate with almonds.

CAKE MIX CHOCOLATE ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a large jelly-roll baking sheet.
• In a large bowl combine dry cake mix with flour, melted butter, chocolate syrup, eggs and both extracts; using an electric mixer on low speed beat until well combined.
• Stir in almonds and mini chocolate chips.
• Divide the dough in half, then place halves on baking sheet/s.
• Shape each into a 12 x 2-inch log (does not have to measure exactly).
• Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until firm to the touch.
• Cool for 12-15 minutes on the baking sheet.
• Using a serrated knife slice diagonally into about 1/2 to 3/4-inch slices.
• Turn cut-side down on baking sheet.
• Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until firm.
• Remove to a wire rack to cool.