Chocolate Covered Prunes Food

CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRUNES

Steps:

• Cut slit into the side of each California Prune and stuff with small piece or portion of filling as desired. Pinch to close; shape to form round shape. Set aside.
• Place chocolate in a small heatproof bowl, set in a pot of hot (not boiling) water over low heat; allow to melt, stirring occasionally until smooth. (Chocolate should be fluid and barely warm.) Remove from heat. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil or wax paper. Using a fork, dip prunes, 1 at a time, into chocolate; drain excess. Place on prepared baking sheet; decorate with toppings, as desired. Refrigerate immediately until set.
• When the chocolate has hardened, transfer to jars or containers for gift-giving. Store, covered, in a cool place, away from direct sun or heat.
• Tip: Melted white chocolate can be drizzled over chocolate-dipped prunes before adding toppings if desired.
• Find more holiday recipes here.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED PRUNES

Steps:

• Stuff each plum with an almond or walnut half. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler. Add peanut butter; mix well. Dip prunes and place on waxed paper to harden. Store in the refrigerator.

WALNUT-STUFFED CHOCOLATE-COVERED PRUNES.

Steps:

• Slit prunes with a small sharp knife and remove the stones.
• Place pitted prunes in a small bowl and cover them with the cognac and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Open up each prune and insert a walnut half and then press it closed again. The cut sides should stick together and the walnut be completely enclosed.
• Repeat with all prunes.
• Melt chocolate in double boiler and dip each stuffed prune into the melted chocolate with a pair of tongs.
• Place onto a foil-lined tray and sprinkle with remaining walnuts that have been finely chopped.
• Allow to set at room temperature (avoid refrigeration as it takes away the glossy finish and makes them look dull).
• Each piece can be put into a pleated paper cup for an attractive presentation.
• Dried apricots can be substituted for prunes but they are a little drier and harder to stuff.

BREAD PUDDING WITH DRUNKEN PRUNES

Steps:

• Place diced prunes in a small jar or bowl, pour Comfort ove rtop; let sit about 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350. Brush 2-quart baking dish with 1 T. melted butter, set aside.
• In a large bowl, drizzle remaining butter over bread cubes. Scatter cubes on a baking sheet and brown lightly in the preheating oven. Remove and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, cream and vanilla. Add eggs, yolks, sugar and salt, whisking until smooth; set aside.
• Dump bread cubes into prepared baking dish. Remove prunes from liquor (or it might all have soaked in) and toss with cubes. Pour egg-mixture over top of cubes and prunes; cover.
• Place baking dish in a water bath (water should come 3/4 of the way up the sides of the dish), in the oven. Bake for one hour (or until "set").
• Remove dish from water bath, chill for two hours in refrigerator before unmolding from baking dish (or leave in the pan if you're not doing a fancy presentation).
• If you prefer to serve the pudding HOT, let it rest only until it is unpuffed--but do NOT unmold to serve.
• Serve with "butter-rum" sauce (1/2 cup each melted butter and powdered sugar with 3 T rum splashed in--heat briefly in the microwave) OR vanilla ice cream OR whipped cream.