Black Forest Chocolate Mousse Food

BLACK FOREST MOUSSE DESSERT

Steps:

• Beat pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP.
• Reserve 1/2 cup cookie crumbs; stir remaining crumbs into pudding mixture. Spoon half into 1-1/2-qt. serving bowl; top with layers of 1 cup each of the remaining COOL WHIP and pie filling.
• Cover with layers of remaining pudding mixture, COOL WHIP, pie filling and reserved cookie crumbs.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Whip 1 cup of the heavy cream to soft peaks in a medium bowl (see Cook's Note). Set aside.
• Add the egg, egg yolks, sugar, espresso powder, vanilla extract, salt and 1 tablespoon water to a medium heatproof bowl and whisk to combine. Set the bowl over a medium saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Whisk constantly until the mixture is pale, hot to the touch and has almost doubled in volume, about 4 to 6 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula, if necessary. Remove from the heat and continue whisking until cooled, about 2 minutes.
• Put the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set over the saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and gently stir for about 3 minutes to cool slightly.
• Whisk the egg mixture into the melted chocolate in 3 additions until combined. (The mixture may get very thick.) Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in 3 additions until it is fully incorporated. It is important that the chocolate mixture is not warm to ensure that it combines smoothly with the whipped cream without seizing up.
• Divide the chocolate mousse among four 4-ounce ramekins and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Whip the remaining 3/4 cup cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. Top each chocolate mousse with whipped cream and serve. (For a softer texture, allow the ramekins to sit at room temperature while you whip the cream.)

BLACK FOREST MOUSSE

Steps:

• Make the black cherry sauce by combining cherries (and their juices), sugar, citric acid and almond extract in a small sauce pot. Cook on medium until the sauce holds a line on a spatula. Pour into a bowl and cool completely. If it isn't cool when you put it in the mousse, it will deflate it.

BLACK FOREST CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-ALMOND MOUSSE FROSTING

Steps:

• MIX cake according to package directions (two or three layers may be used); BLEND in 1 teaspoon almond extract; FOLD in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate bits or chips; BAKE cake according to package directions.
• COOL cakes completely in pans on wire rack.
• COMBINE 20-21 oz cherry pie filling, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, 1/4 teaspoon rum extract, and 1/4 teaspoon Angostura bitters.
• WARM mixture in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it gently bubbles and thickens, stirring occasionally (about 7 minutes); ALLOW mixture to cool (If you are making a three-layer cake, this recipe for the filling should be doubled).
• TURN one cake onto cake plate, flat-side up; SPREAD cherry mixture evenly; TURN other cake round carefully onto plate or hand; PLACE flat suface over cherry filling; REPEAT, if a third layer is used.
• MELT 12 ounces chocolate chips in double boiler at medium temperature with 1 cup whipping cream; COOL.
• BEAT remaining one cup whipping cream with an electric mixer on low speed until soft peaks form tips curl); ADD 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and chocolate chip/whipping cream mixture; CONTINUE beating on low speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).
• FROST completely cooled cake layers one at a time, decorating outermost surface in swirls with a spoon.
• GARNISH with 1 oz semisweet chocolate shavings (create shavings or curls using a swivel vegetable peeler or a cheese grater with a semisweet chocolate bar; pitted maraschino or sour cherries and/or sliced almonds may be added as additional garnish, if desired).
• SLICE, serve and enjoy!

BLACK FOREST MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes or until smooth. Let stand 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in pie filling. Gently fold in whipped topping. Spoon into individual dessert dishes; refrigerate until serving.

BLACK FOREST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE SHOTS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, then cool slightly.
• Beat together the egg yolks and kirsch and gently mix into the melted chocolate with 4 tbsp of the cream.
• Whisk the egg whites to firm peaks and fold them through the chocolate mixture.
• Spoon into 6 shot glasses and chill.
• Softly whip the remaining cream with a splash of kirsch.
• Dollop the cream on top of each mousse and push in a cherry to decorate.