Celestial Chocolate Chunk Food

CHOCOLATE CHUNK SNACK CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE MALT FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In another large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then beat in the vanilla. In three additions, beat in the flour mixture, alternating with additions of the buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Fold in the chocolate. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack to cool completely, and then remove the cake from the pan using the parchment overhangs to lift it out.
• For the frosting: In a large bowl, whisk together the malt powder, cocoa powder and boiling water until smooth. Let cool.
• Add the butter and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Add the chocolate and salt and beat until smooth and thick. Spread the frosting onto the cooled cake.

DULCE DE LECHE AND CHOCOLATE CHUNK BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place bread in large bowl and drizzle with 3 tablespoonfuls melted butter; toss.
• Transfer to rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake until bread begings to color,stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes; cool.
• Brush a 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish with 1 tablespoon melted butter.
• Stir whipping cream and 1 cup dulce de leche in medium saucepan over medium heat until blended and bubbling.
• Remove from heat.
• Whisk eggs and yolks in large bowl.
• Add rum,vanilla and salt; gradually whisk in warm dulce de leche mixture.
• Stir in bread cubes and let soak 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Mix chocolate chips into custard/bread mixture.
• Pour into prepared dish and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Bake pudding until puffed and set in center, about 35 minutes.
• Let cool 15 minutes.
• Dust with powdered sugar.
• Serve warm, passing more dulce de leche sauce alongside.

CHOCOLATE CHUNK CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F.
• Cut croissants into 1/2" cubes (3 1/2 cups)& spread in ungreased jelly roll pan, 15 1/2x10".
• Bake 10 minutes, stir& bake 8-10 minutes longer, or until golden and toasted.
• Mix egg yolks and sugar in medium bowl.
• Set aside.
• Heat whipping cream& half-and-half in a 2 qt.
• saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Add vanilla beans.
• Beat hot cream into egg yolk mixture with wire whisk.
• Strain custard through a sieve to remove vanilla beans.
• Cool 15 minutes.
• Divide croissant cubes and chocolate chunks among 6 ungreased 6 oz.
• ramekins or custard cups.
• Pour custard over croissant cubes.
• Place ramekins in 13x9" baking pan, on oven rack.
• Pour very hot water into pan to within 1/2" of tops of cups.
• Bake uncovered 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
• Serve warm with ice cream.