Chocolate Apricot Bugs Food

CHOCOLATY APRICOTS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Put the chocolate chips in a heatproof glass bowl and place it over a pan of simmering water. Heat the chocolate, stirring, until completely melted and smooth.
• Dip each apricot one-half to three-quarters of the way into the chocolate, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet to set.

CHOCOLATE APRICOT FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter a 13"x9" baking dish.
• In 4 quart saucepan combine sugar, butter & milk, cooking over medium high heat & stirring occasionally, 10-14 minutes until mixture comes to a full boil.
• Reduce heat to medium & boil, stirring constantly, 6-7 minutes, or until candy thermometer reaches 228 degrees F.
• Remove from heat & gradually stir in both chocolates until melted.
• Stir in marshmallow cream & vanilla extract, until well blended.
• Stir in apricots, then spread into prepared pan.
• Cool completely at room temperature.
• Cut into 1" squares before serving.
• Store covered in cool place.

CHOCOLATE & APRICOT PUD WITH GLOSSY CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Butter a 1.2 litre/2 pint pudding basin and put a circle of greaseproof paper in the base. Put the apricots in a small pan and add the brandy. Bring slowly to the boil, then simmer, turning the apricots occasionally until all the brandy has soaked in. Leave until cool enough to handle.
• Tip the ground almonds into a bowl, then sift over the cocoa, flour and baking powder and mix everything together.
• In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.Gradually beat in the eggs and milk.
• Chop half the apricots into small pieces. Chop the chocolate into large chunks. Lightly stir the flour mixture into the cake mix, followed by the apricots and chocolate.
• Put the remaining whole apricots into the bowl and spoon over the honey. Add the pudding mixture and smooth the top. Cover with double thickness buttered greaseproof paper and tie down. Trim off the excess paper, then overwrap in foil, tucking the ends under the edges of the paper.
• Put the basin into a large pan and pour boiling water into the pan, to come halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover and steam for 21⁄2 hours, until it feels firm. (The pudding can be made to this stage up to 2 days ahead. Reheat by steaming for 1 hour, or microwave on medium for 6-8 minutes.)
• Towards the end of the cooking time, make the sauce. Break up the chocolate and put in a small pan with the cream and brandy if using. Warm gently, stirring lightly until smooth and glossy.
• Cool the pudding in the bowl for 10 minutes, then turn out and serve with the chocolate sauce and cream or good vanilla ice cream.

DARK CHOCOLATE APRICOT COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with Reynolds Parchment Paper; set aside. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, orange extract and egg until soft dough forms. Stir in apricots until blended.
• Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on lined cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips are melted. Dip each cookie halfway into melted chocolate, letting excess drip off. Place on waxed paper and let stand until chocolate is set, at least 2 hours. To quickly set chocolate, refrigerate cookies 15 minutes. Store between sheets of Reynolds Parchment Paper in tightly covered container at room temperature.

MILK CHOCOLATE BUGS

Steps:

• Place 600 grams of the milk chocolate into a heatproof bowl or the top of a double boiler. Melt, using a microwave or double boiler, until the chocolate registers 110 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• Once melted, add the remaining chocolate to temper. Add strawberry malt balls as desired for crunch. Pour into molds and let set.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED APRICOT BALLS

Steps:

• In a food processor chop fine the apricots and hazelnuts and mix in enough of the liqueur to hold the mixture together. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, roll the balls lightly in the sugar, and let them stand at room temperature, uncovered, for 24 hours.
• In the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, until it is smooth and remove it from the heat. Coat half of each ball with the chocolate, letting the excess drip off and wiping the underside of the ball gently against the side of the double boiler. Chill the balls on a baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper until the chocolate has hardened.
• The confections keep, chilled, in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

APRICOT-DARK CHOCOLATE TRAIL MIX

Steps:

• Mix the ingredients together. Divide among 6 jars or footed cellophane bags. Seal with a ribbon and sticker or a gift tag.
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CHOCOLATE CHIP APRICOT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a cookie sheet.
• Mix the flour and baking soda in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together the butter, turbinado sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy, then beat in the egg, vanilla, and salt. Stir the flour and baking soda into the butter mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips and apricots. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the cookie sheet.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.