Chocolate And Amaretto Mousse In Almond Lace Bowls Food

WORLD'S EASIEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE IN A COOKIE BOWL

Steps:

• For the mousse: Use the double boiler method to melt the chocolate. Fill a pot with approximately 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
• Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl on top of the pot, making sure the bowl does not touch the water in the pot. Heat, stirring with a spatula, until the chocolate is melted, smooth and shiny. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour the cream into a bowl and whip with a handheld mixer until soft peaks form. Carefully fold the chocolate into the cream until fully incorporated. Add the mousse to a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
• For the cookie bowls: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray nonstick cooking spray into the cups of a 12-cup standard muffin tin.
• Press about 2 1/2 tablespoons of cookie dough into each cup of the muffin tin, pressing the dough in the bottom and up the sides. Bake until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft, 14 to 16 minutes. If the centers of the cookie cups don't fall a bit when you remove the tin from the oven, use the bottom of a measuring cup or a small bowl to press the centers down. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes.
• When ready to enjoy, pipe the mousse into each cookie bowl and top with berries and shaved chocolate if desired.

ALMOND LACE

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan gently combine sugar and water, avoiding getting sugar up the walls of the pan. Boil, brushing down sides of the pan if necessary until it becomes a light colored caramel. Dip bottom of saucepan into ice water to stop the cooking. Let cool slightly until caramel falls off a spoon in a slow stream. Spread sliced almonds on a sheet pan. Drizzle caramel over sliced almonds in a lacy fashion to form a fat triangle shape. Let cool. Lift off sheet pan and store in an airtight container.;

CHOCOLATE AMARETTO CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Spray three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Then line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Combine cake mix, 1 1/3 cups water, eggs, oil, 3 tablespoons amaretto, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in large bowl; whisk until well blended.
• Toss 1 cup of chocolate chips in with 1 tablespoon flour, then gently fold into batter.
• Divide batter among prepared pans. (the layers will be thin).
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes.
• Run knife around pan sides. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely. Brush each cake layer with 2 tablespoons amaretto.
• Combine butter and cream in medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until butter melts and mixture comes to simmer.
• Remove from heat. Add remaining 2 cups chocolate chips and whisk until melted.
• Mix in remaining 3 tablespoons amaretto. Cool until barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk in sour cream and remaining 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, then powdered sugar.
• Refrigerate frosting just until thick enough to spread, whisking occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over. Top with second cake layer. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. (concentrate most of the frosting on the top of the cake)
• Press nuts around the sides of the cake. Chill at leat 2 hours.
• (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome; keep chilled.).

CHOCOLATE-AMARETTO MOUSSE

Steps:

• Heat half-and-half just up to the scald. Transfer to the canister of a blender (NOT a food processor).
• While running on "high", add the eggs, Amaretto, salt and chocolate chips, in that order. Run until chips melt completely. Pour through a strainer into individual cups (or a pretty serving bowl). Refrigerate overnight until set. Serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream.
• Bailey's, Kahlua or other liqueur can be substituted for the Amaretto. I've also made it without liqueur, and used a few drops of mint extract.