Chocolate Cherry Christmas Pudding Food

DARK CHOCOLATE AND CHERRY CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix together the dried fruit, treacle, olive oil, apple and whiskey and leave for at least 4 hours , or overnight if possible.
• Mix all dry ingredients together.
• Add the egg to the soaked fruit and mix well.
• Finally add the dry ingredients and mix well, but do not over-mix.
• Place the mixture in a pudding basin, 617cm (6 1/2 in) in diameter and 9cm (3 1/2 in) deep, and cover with a circle of greaseproof paper.
• Place a large piece of foil on top of a large piece of greaseproof paper, then fold in the centre to make a pleat.
• Place the pleated papers on top of the pudding basin and use a long piece of string to tightly tie just below the rim of the basin.
• With an extra piece of string, tie a long loop across the top, you can use this as a handle to help lower and lift the pudding in and out of the pan.
• Place a heatproof sauce in the bottom of a large saucepan and sit the pudding on top.
• Fill the pan with enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the basin, then cover with a tightly fitting lid.
• Bring the water to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 4-5 hours.
• Check the water every couple of hours, and add extra boiling water as necessary to maintain the water level until the pudding had cooked.
• Serve with clotted cream.

CHOCOLATE-DRIED CHERRY BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Put the dark chocolate chips in a large heatproof bowl. In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs and brown sugar until well combined.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the cream, milk, brandy, orange zest, vanilla seeds, salt, and granulated sugar to a boil; stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the hot liquid over the dark chocolate chips and whisk until melted and smooth. While whisking constantly, pour the dark chocolate mixture into the eggs, mixing until combined. Add the bread and toss gently to coat. Transfer the bread mixture to the refrigerator and cool to room temperature. Stir in the chocolate chips and dried cherries. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Put eight 4-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet and lightly coat them with cooking spray.
• Stir the bread pudding mixture to evenly distribute the chocolate chips and cherries. Divide the mixture among the prepared ramekins. Sprinkle a little Turbinado sugar over the top of each pudding and bake until puffed and set, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• For the pudding: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium pot add the cream, milk, liquid from the cherries, maple syrup and salt and bring to a boil.
• In a separate bowl crack and whisk the eggs. In a larger bowl add the dark chocolate.
• Pour the warm liquid into the dark chocolate and whisk until the chocolate has melted. Slowly whisk in the eggs. Mix in the diced baguette and let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Place a cherry into each of eight 4-ounce ramekins, then fill the ramekins with the bread pudding mixture.
• Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
• For the brandy whipped cream: Whip the cream, brandy and granulated sugar until it holds stiff peaks. Serve the puddings topped with the cream.

CHOCOLATE PUDDING WITH CHERRIES

Steps:

• Put 1/4 cup milk in a small dish and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Let stand until the gelatin softens and looks wrinkly on top of the milk, 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/4 cup milk, the heavy cream, 3 tablespoons sugar and the salt in a medium saucepan. Stir the cocoa powder with the hot water in a small bowl until smooth, then add to the saucepan with the heavy cream mixture.
• Set the saucepan over medium heat and cook, whisking, until the sugar is dissolved, 3 to 4 minutes. Microwave the gelatin mixture until warm, about 20 seconds, then stir to fully dissolve the gelatin. Pour the gelatin mixture into the saucepan and cook, whisking, until the mixture is smooth and steaming but not boiling.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let stand a few minutes, then whisk until very smooth and the chocolate is fully melted. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl.
• Evenly divide the mixture among 4 cups or ramekins. Let cool until no longer steaming, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Toss the cherries in a medium bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, the vanilla bean paste and the bourbon. Let stand until juicy, tossing occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes. Spoon over the pudding.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY PUDDING CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the sour cream, oil, butter and vanilla until blended. Combine the flour, sugars, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add to sour cream mixture just until combined. Stir in cherries and chips. Pour into a 3-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray., In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cocoa. Stir in hot water until blended. Pour over the batter (do not stir). Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until set. Let stand for 15 minutes. If desired, dust servings with confectioners' sugar.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, stir together all cake ingredients. Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, mix sugar, milk and butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 1-1/2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted. Pour over hot cake. Frosting will harden as it cools.