Candy Cane Chocolate Cups Food

CANDY CANE CHOCOLATE TART

Steps:

• Make the crust: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Pulse the cookies and granulated sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined.
• Lightly coat a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the side of the pan. Bake until set, about 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat until it starts simmering, then remove from the heat. Whisk the egg yolks, granulated sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually whisk one-third of the warm milk into the egg mixture, then pour into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken, about 3 minutes. Continue boiling, whisking, until the mixture is thick like pudding, about 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat, then whisk in the semisweet and mint-flavored chocolate and the butter. Pour into the prepared crust and spread evenly. Refrigerate until set, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Right before serving, beat the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and peppermint extract in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Spread the whipped cream on the tart and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

CHOCOLATE-CANDY CANE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Chop 4 oz. chocolate; set aside. Beat next 6 ingredients with mixer until blended. Stir in chopped chocolate and 2 Tbsp. candy.
• Spoon into 30 paper-lined muffin cups.
• Bake 20 to 23 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pans 10 min. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
• Melt remaining chocolate; cool slightly. Frost cupcakes with COOL WHIP; drizzle with chocolate. Sprinkle with remaining candy.

CANDY CANE CHOCOLATE CUPS

Steps:

• Pour white chocolate into a bowl so that the chocolate is about 3 inches deep.
• Pour the red chocolate into a disposable pastry bag or zip-top bag.
• Cut the tip off the bag.
• Pipe 5 to 7 lines of red chocolate over the top surface of the white chocolate.
• Dip one balloon into the bowl of chocolate to cover about 2/3rd's of the balloon.
• Lift the balloon out of the chocolate and allow the excess chocolate to drip off.
• Set the balloon on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
• Repeat by piping the same number of red stripes over the bowl of white chocolate.
• Dip another balloon.
• Repeat.
• If using pure white chocolate, refrigerate the balloons until the chocolate sets.
• If using Candy Melts, place the balloons in the freezer for about 3 minutes.
• Remove and let sit for one minute.
• Then, cut a small hole near the knot on the balloon to allow the air to escape.
• Tug and pull the balloons out of the chocolate cups.
• Fill with White Chocolate Peppermint Mousse, ice cream, pudding, candy or nuts.

CANDY CANE ROLL

Steps:

• For the red velvet cake: Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place the egg whites in a bowl with 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar and whisk using an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form, 8 to 10 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks and remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Add the food coloring, vanilla and 3 tablespoons water and mix. Combine the egg white mixture with the egg yolk mixture.
• To a separate bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, baking powder and baking soda and mix. Sift the flour mixture onto the egg mixture, folding it in gently; avoid overmixing it. Fold until all the ingredients are just combined.
• Spread the mixture onto the prepared half sheet pan, making it as level and even as possible. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Once out of the oven, roll the cake with the aid of the parchment paper while it is still warm. Otherwise, it will break when it is cold. Store it in the refrigerator rolled until you are ready to frost and roll it again.
• For the filling: Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, melted gelatin and peppermint extract to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar and candy cane pieces. Whip again to stiff peak stage. For a more stable filling, the mixture can be refrigerated for 24 hours; however, it can also be used right away.
• Unroll the red velvet cake roll, keeping it on the parchment paper, and spread the filling on as evenly as possible. Roll it up, using the parchment paper to help you again. Freeze for 1 hour.
• For the decorations: Cut the roll in half and trim the ends of both pieces so they are neat. Dust with powdered sugar, then decorate with the White Chocolate and Peppermint Cream and top with candy canes.
• Add two-thirds of the cream to a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Heat until it begins to steam but does not boil, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Place the white chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and pour the hot cream on top. Allow to stand for a couple of minutes, then stir until smooth. Add the remaining cream and the peppermint extract and whisk to combine. Cover the mixture and place in the refrigerator to cool completely and for the flavors to infuse, about 2 hours.
• Whisk with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag and use to decorate the candy cane rolls.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CANDY CANES

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip curved ends of candy canes in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper., In a microwave, melt white baking chocolate; stir until smooth. Drizzle over chocolate. Decorate with toppings if desired. Let stand until set., Use to stir servings of hot cocoa.

CANDY CANE HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• In a large bowl measure and sift powdered sugar, unsweetned cocoa, coffee creamer,salt and skim milk powder.
• Break up and pulse in food processor til candy canes are very fine. Cover your ears its gonna get noisy!
• Mix all together and store in air tight container until ready to serve.
• To make hot chocolate mix 1/3 cup hot chocolate mix in a cup of boiling water. Top with whipped cream!
• For a gift basket idea I make a batch of just plain hot chocolate, one batch with candy cane added and one batch with mini marshmallows. For a batch -one cup of mini marhmallows. Fill three decorative air tight containers with one of each of these kinds label with instructions for making, add a cute mug, nice gift for the holidays.
• About 14 candy canes or 175 gram box will yield one cup.