Chocolate Appreciation Day Pioneer Woman Food

EASY CHOCOLATE TART

Steps:

• For the crust: Add the cookies to a food processor and pulse to fine crumbs. Pour in the melted butter and pulse together. Tip into an 11-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom and press the mixture in with a 1/4-cup measure to form an even crust on the bottom and sides. Put it in the freezer for 15 minutes to set.
• For the ganache: Put the cream and butter in a pan and heat until the mixture starts to bubble.
• Put the dark and milk chocolate in a bowl and pour the warmed cream and butter over it. Mix everything together until melted and fully combined, then pour it into the chilled tart base. Refrigerate the tart overnight until set.
• For the chocolate curl garnish: Put the white chocolate and coconut oil in a bowl and set over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate is melted; mix together. Pour the melted mixture onto the underside of a clean baking sheet and spread it in a very thin layer with an offset spatula or knife. Put it in the freezer until set, about 2 minutes. (To check if it is set, press it with your fingertip; it should leave the slightest mark but not a depression.)
• Using a sharp-edged spatula, scrape the chocolate from the bottom of the baking sheet into curls. Remove the tart from the pan and decorate with the curls.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA COOKIES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Melt 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) of the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook, swirling the skillet, until the butter is golden brown. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the brown sugar, granulated sugar and remaining 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter. Drizzle in the cooled brown butter. Mix in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla extract.
• In a separate small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture and mix until incorporated. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix well. Add the nuts and white chocolate and mix until incorporated. Drop large scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets using a 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop.
• For the topping: Top the cookies with a few chocolate chunks and chopped nuts. Bake until the edges start to brown, about 14 minutes. Sprinkle the tops with a small amount of sea salt. Let cool on the baking sheets.

MISSISSIPPI MUD CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the cocoa powder, then the boiling water. Let it bubble up for a few seconds, then turn it off and set it aside.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar and salt. Pour the chocolate mixture over the flour mixture and stir a few times to start to cool the chocolate.
• In a separate small bowl, mix the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and eggs. Pour over the flour-chocolate mixture and mix until everything is combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler.
• Sprinkle the marshmallows over the cake, then return the dish to the oven to broil until the marshmallows start to turn golden, about 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
• For the icing: Melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the milk and cocoa powder. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar in 4 to 5 additions. Stir in the nuts and vanilla.
• Pour the icing all over the marshmallows, allowing some marshmallows to remain visible. Let the icing set, then deliver or serve.

CHOCOLATE FRIDGE ROLL

Steps:

• Tip the chocolate and butter into a medium heatproof bowl and melt over a pan of barely simmering water, taking care not to allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water. Once the chocolate mixture is melted and smooth, add the rum, cocoa powder and orange zest and mix. Remove from the heat and use a rubber spatula to fold in the biscotti, cherries, apricots, pistachios and almonds until thoroughly combined.
• Transfer the mixture to a piece of parchment and roll into a log about 7 inches long and 2 inches in diameter; make sure the log is tightly rolled by twisting both ends of the parchment. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill.
• Spread the confectioners' sugar on a plate. Remove the paper from the log and roll it in the confectioners' sugar, brushing off any excess. Allow the log to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut the log into 1/2-inch slices
• Or, if you are aren't eating it immediately, store the log in the fridge. If you are gifting it, wrap it in parchment.