Brandied Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe 455 Food

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry.
• In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary. Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Chill until firm.
• Melt confectioners' coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Dip each cherry in by its stem, and place on waxed paper lined sheets. Chill until completely set. Store in an airtight container in a cool place. Best after 1 or 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE COVERED DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Place the dried cherries in a coating pan attached to a stand mixer. Spin at low speed. Using a ladle, add the chocolate to the spinning cherries. Add one ladleful at a time until the cherries are coated to the desired thickness. (Use a 50/50 ratio (50 percent chocolate, 50 percent weight of the cherries.) If a thicker coat is desired, use more chocolate and vice versa.
• How to Temper Chocolate(From Dessert Circus, Extraordinary Desserts You Can Make At Home by Jacques Torres):
• Chocolate is tempered so that after it has been melted, it retains its gloss and hardens again without becoming chalky and white (that happens when the molecules of fat separate and form on top of the chocolate). There are a variety of ways to temper.
• One of the easiest ways to temper chocolate is to chop it into small pieces and then place it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high power until most of the chocolate is melted. Be very careful not to overheat it. (The temperature of dark chocolate should be between 88 and 90 degrees F, slightly warmer than your bottom lip. It will retain its shape even when mostly melted. White and milk chocolates melt at a temperature approximately 2 degrees F less because of the amount of lactose they contain.) Any remaining lumps will melt in the chocolate's residual heat. Use an immersion blender or whisk to break up the lumps. Usually, chocolate begins to set, or crystallize, along the side of the bowl. As it sets, mix those crystals into the melted chocolate to temper it. A glass bowl retains heat well and keeps the chocolate tempered longer.
• Another way to temper chocolate is called seeding. In this method, add small pieces of unmelted chocolate to melted chocolate. The amount of unmelted chocolate to be added depends on the temperature of the melted chocolate, but is usually 1/4 of the total amount. It is easiest to use an immersion blender for this, or a whisk.
• The classic way to temper chocolate is called tabliering. Two thirds of the melted chocolate is poured onto a marble or another cold work surface. The chocolate is spread out and worked with a spatula until its temperature is approximately 81 degrees F. At this stage, it is thick and begins to set. This tempered chocolate is then added to the remaining non-tempered chocolate and mixed thoroughly until the mass has a completely uniform temperature. If the temperature is still too high, part of the chocolate is worked further on the cold surface until the correct temperature is reached. This is a lot of work, requires a lot of room, and makes a big mess.
• A simple method of checking tempering, is to apply a small quantity of chocolate to a piece of paper or to the point of a knife. If the chocolate has been correctly tempered, it will harden evenly and show a good gloss within a few minutes.

BRANDIED CHERRY CREPES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine pie filling and brandy. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in butter 1 piece at a time until melted. Remove from heat. Set aside 6 cherries, for garnish.
• Divide the filling among the 6 crepes and roll or fold crepes. Top with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and garnish with a sprig of mint and reserved cherries.

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• The day before you want to make the chocolate-covered cherries, drain the cherries from their soaking liquid and reserve 2 tablespoons of the liquid. Pat the cherries dry between sheets of paper towels and let them sit on a wire rack overnight to dry.
• The next day, prepare the fondant filling. In the large bowl of a stand mixer , combine the butter, corn syrup, reserved cherry liquid, almond extract, and liquid invertase, and beat until combined. It is okay if the butter separates at this point-it will all come together soon.
• Stop the mixer and add the confectioners' sugar to the bowl, then mix on low speed until the candy comes together in a ball around the mixing paddle.
• Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated, and check the texture of the candy: it should be quite soft, but not so sticky that you cannot handle it.
• If necessary, add a little more confectioners' sugar to make it workable, but remember: the softer it is, the sooner it will liquefy.
• Use a small candy scoop or a teaspoon to form a quarter-sized ball of fondant, and roll it in your hands to get it round. Flatten the ball between your palms, and place a cherry in the center of the fondant.
• Bring together the outer edges and pinch the fondant together at the top where the stem extends from the cherry. Make sure the cherry is covered completely, then roll it between your palms to smooth out any seams or wrinkles and get it round.
• Place the cherry on a waxed paper-covered baking sheet , then repeat with the remaining cherries until they are all covered with fondant. Refrigerate the tray until the fondant feels firm, at least 30 minutes.
• While you are waiting for the fondant to firm up, melt the chocolate candy melts over medium heat in a double boiler.
• When the fondant is firm, begin the dipping process. Holding a cherry by the stem, dip just the bottom in the chocolate, coming about 1/4-inch up the sides of the cherry. Place the cherry back on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining cherries.
• By the time you have finished dipping the bottom of the last cherry, the first cherry will probably be set and ready to be fully dipped. (If not, refrigerate the tray briefly to set the chocolate bottoms.) Hold a cherry by the stem and drag it through the chocolate, coating it completely. Be sure that there is absolutely no fondant showing through. When it is fully covered with chocolate, let the excess drip over the bowl, then gently drag the bottom edge over the lip of the bowl to remove any excess. Replace the cherry on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining cherries.
• Set cherries aside at room temperature for 2 to 3 days to allow the centers to begin to liquify. (Cold temperatures will slow down the invertase's work). Test the liquid centers after 2 to 3 days, and continue to monitor their progress via the occasional taste test until the centers have completely liquified.

BRANDIED CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Pour brandy over drained cherries; let set for two days.
• Combine butter, corn syrup and salt; blend until smooth.
• Add confectioners' sugar and mix well.
• Knead until smooth and shiny; wrap in wax paper and chill for 30 minutes.
• Drain cherries well on paper towels; pat dry.
• Shape a marble-size piece of fondant around each cherry and place on wax paper-lined tray. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
• Melt chocolate over hot water, stirring constantly.
• Dip cherries quickly and place on wax paper-lined tray.
• Place in refrigerator to set.
• Store in covered container in a cool, dark place for 10 to 14 days to fully ripen allow the fondant to liquify inside.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry.
• In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth.
• Stir in confectioners' sugar and knead to form a dough.
• Chill to stiffen if necessary.
• Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough.
• Chill until firm.
• Melt chocolate coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat.
• Dip each cherry in by its stem, and place on waxed paper lined sheets.
• Chill until completely set.
• Store in an airtight container in a cool place.
• Best after 1 or 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the sugar, butter, milk and extract. Knead until smooth and pliable. Shape into 1-in. balls and flatten each into a 2-in. circle. , Wrap one circle around each cherry and lightly roll in hands. Place with stems up on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. , In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding on to the stems, dip cherries into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in a covered container. Refrigerate 1-2 weeks before serving.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries well; let stand on paper toweling.
• Make fondant: Combine butter or margarine, corn syrup and salt; stir in powdered sugar.
• Knead until smooth.
• Chill if too soft.
• Shape a teaspoon of the fondant around each cherry.
• Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet; chill.
• In small heavy saucepan or deep bowl over pan of hot water, melt chocolate coating, stirring constantly.
• Holding onto stems, dip fondant-covered cherries, one at a time, into melted chocolate.
• Spoon mixture over cherries to coat.
• Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
• Place in refrigerator to harden.
• Store in covered container in cool place.
• Let ripen a week or two and fondant will begin to liquefy.
• Makes 60 chocolate-covered cherries.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a stand up mixer and mix until smooth. You will need to knock it down every so often. If you don't have a mixer, use your hands. This is a very stiff dough.
• Let stand 1 hour. Pinch of small amounts, flatten slightly and press around each cherry, sealing well. Place on waxed paper to dry. Let stand about 30 minutes, turn cherries over and dry another 30 minutes.
• Combine chocolate and paraffin in double boiler until melted and smooth. Dip balls into chocolate mixture. Place on waxed paper to harden.
• Keep cherries in a cool, dry place for 2 weeks before serving. Do not store in the refrigerator as this will discolor the chocolate coating.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CAKE (WITH DRIED CHERRIES SOAKED IN BRANDY)

Steps:

• Combine cherries and brandy and microwave uncovered on high 45 seconds; set aside. Combine chocolate and margarine/butter. Microwave on high 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds; set aside.
• Beat eggs and sugar with electric mixer on high about 5 minutes, till thick and lemon colored. Beat in chocolate mixture, milk and vanilla. Beat in flour. Stir in undrained cherries and nuts.
• Pour in 9 x 1" round baking pan; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes (45-50 to springform pan). Cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.
• GLAZE: Combine chcolate with margarine/butter; microwave on high 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, or till melted, strirring twice.
• Spread 1/4 cup of Glaze evenly over top and sides of cake. Chill 10 minutes. Frost top and sides of glaze with remaining glaze. Chill till set. Let stand at room temperature 10/15 minutes before serving.

BRANDIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar, water and lemon juice. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture slightly reduces and thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in brandy and pitted cherries.
• Transfer cherries and liquid to jar (liquid should cover cherries completely). Cover with lid; seal tightly. Cool completely, about 3 hours.
• Store in refrigerator 4 to 6 weeks before serving.