Choc Cherry Fudge Torte With Cherry Sorbet Food

CHOC-CHERRY FUDGE TORTE WITH CHERRY SORBET

Steps:

• For the sorbet, whizz the compote with the sugar until smooth-ish, then tip into a freezer-proof container. Freeze until solid.
• Mix the cherries and the brandy and leave to soak for a few hrs.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Line the base of a round, 20cm loosebottomed tin with baking parchment. Mix the flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking powder, bicarb and xanthan gum in a big bowl. Whisk the oil, rice milk and agave syrup, then add to the dry ingredients and stir in with a wooden spoon. Add the cherries and any brandy, then scrape into the tin. Bake for 35-45 mins until crisp on top but fudgy in the centre. Cool in the tin.
• Carefully lift the torte onto a serving plate. Dust with cocoa and icing sugar, and serve with the cherry sorbet.

HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE CHERRY FUDGE

Steps:

• Line 8-inch square pan with foil.
• Lightly press chopped cherries between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Place butter in medium microwave-safe bowl.
• Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute or until melted; stir in powdered sugar, cocoa and evaporated milk until well blended.
• Microwave at HIGH 1-1/2 minutes; stir vigorously.
• Microwave at HIGH an additional 30 seconds at a time, until mixture is hot, slightly thickened and smooth when stirred.
• Do NOT boil.
• Stir in chopped cherries, pecans and almond extract.
• Spread mixture into prepared pan.
• Cover; refrigerate until firm.
• Remove foil; cut into squares.
• Garnish with cherry halves and slivered almonds pressed lightly onto fudge, if desired.
• Serve cold; refrigerate leftover fudge.
• NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.

SOUR CHERRY CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Pre heat oven to 350 degrees, butter a 9" spring-form pan dust with ground almonds (or fine, dry unseasoned bread crumbs), shake out extra, set aside.
• Drain cherries, then spread in a single layer on several thicknesses of paper towel, while you continue to prepare the torte.
• Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave, watch carefully, don't allow any water to get in the chocolate or it will seize.
• Cream the butter, add extracts and sugar, beat well; add eggs one at a time beating after each until mixed.
• On low add chocolate, beat until mixed, add almonds, then flour mixing just until incorporated.
• Spread about half or a little more of the batter into the pan (it is thick, using an offset spatula helps) place cherries one at a time over batter in a single layer, they can touch the sides, spoon and spread the remaining batter over the cherries, going slow helps prevent pull up.
• Bake 45 -50 minutes, the cake will be dry and crusty on top and a toothpick will come out clean. Cool for 15 minutes on a rack, then remove sides of the pan, let stand until almost cool ( to serve warm this is about 30 minutes).
• To remove bottom of the pan - cover cake with a rack and flip over, remove pan bottom - you may need to slip a thin spatula between the torte and pan bottom to loosen, cover cake with serving plate and flip back over ( I've been know to serve from the pan bottom, just keep your thin spatula handy).
• Note: Almonds should be finely ground in a blender or food processor, they should be almost powdery). Almond meal or almond flour (fancy names for ground almonds) can be found in some health food stores or at Trader Joes, though it can be very pricey under some labels. I prefer the freshness of grinding the almonds myself.
• Use real whipping cream unless you have dairy issues; a little kirsch added as you whip it is a nice touch.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY FUDGE

Steps:

• In a microwavable bowl, combine milk and chocolate chips. Microwave on high until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred, about 1 minute. Stir in almonds, cherries and extract. Spread evenly in a greased 8-in. square pan. Cover and chill until firm. Cut into squares. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.