Chocolate Cream Espresso Torte Food

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300°F.
• Put chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring cream, milk, espresso powder (to taste), and a pinch of salt just to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until espresso powder is dissolved, then pour over chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
• Whisk together yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt in another bowl, then add warm chocolate mixture in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a 1-quart glass measure and cool completely, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Line bottom of a baking pan (large enough to hold ramekins) with a folded kitchen towel and arrange ramekins on towel. Poke several holes in a large sheet of foil with a skewer. Divide custard among ramekins, then bake custards in a hot water bath , pan covered tightly with foil, until custards are set around edges but still slightly wobbly in centers, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Transfer ramekins to a rack to cool completely, uncovered, about 1 hour. (Custards will set as they cool.) Chill, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
• *Available at some supermarkets, specialty foods shops, and The Baker's Catalogue (800-827-6836).

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE TART: Preheat oven to 225°F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan and line bottom and sides with parchment paper. Place chopped chocolate in a large bowl or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Heat cream and butter together to just below a simmer. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and let sit 1 minute. Whisk together until smooth. Whisk together eggs, sugar and espresso and pour into chocolate mixture. Blend thoroughly, scraping the bottom of the bowl occasionally. Do not whip on high speed. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until edges are set are centre is still slightly soft.
• Allow to cool at room temperature for an hour. Leaving torte in its pan, refrigerate overnight before cutting.
• To serve, slice torte with a hot, dry knife. Spoon a little Gingered Berry Marmalade (directions follow) on the side. Spoon Crème Fraîche (directions follow) next to marmalade (or on other side of torte) and sprinkle with cinnamon. Yield: 1 10-inch torte. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
• GINGERED BERRY MARMALADE: Crush berries roughly with a fork and combine with orange peel, ginger and lemon juice in a pot. Mix pectin crystals with ½ cup sugar and add to berries. Bring up to a boil, stirring often. Add remaining sugar and return to a boil, and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir for 5 minutes. If foam is evident, add butter and stir. Skim off any excess foam and jar or chill until ready to use. Yield: Approximatley 4 cups.
• CREME FRAICHE: Stir together cream and buttermilk, place in a plastic cup or bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Immerse cup or bowl in hot water, up to the level of the cream and store in a warm place (near oven, radiator) for 24 to 48 hours. You will know when it's ready because you will see the thin-textured whey settled at the bottom. Chill before using, being sure not stir whey (the liquid that settles at the bottom) into crème fraîche (it will thin it out). Yield: 3/4 cup.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Butter an 8-inch cake pan (I used a springform pan) and line bottom with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and lightly flour (or use cocoa) the pan, shaking out excess.
• In a small, heavy-based saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over medium heat, stirring frequently. Set aside.
• Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the eggs, sugar, brewed espresso, ground espresso beans, and salt on medium-high speed until thick and voluminous, at least 8 minutes (I mixed about 10 minutes). Turn the mixer to low and mix in the chocolate-butter mixture. Turn off mixer and sift the flour over the batter and fold until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.
• Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Set a plate over the torte and carefully invert the torte onto the plate; peel off the parchment. Flip the torte back onto the rack to cool completely before slicing. (Since I used a springform pan, I let it cool completely in the pan.).

CHOCOLATE-CREAM ESPRESSO TORTE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine first 5 ingredients in processor. Blend until nuts are finely ground. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until dough begins to clump together. Press dough over bottom (not sides) of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool. Maintain oven temperature.
• For filling and topping:
• Bring 2 cups cream to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add both chocolates; whisk until smooth. Whisk eggs, 2 teaspoons espresso powder and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in chocolate mixture (filling will be very thin). Pour over crust (filling will fill pan only halfway). Bake until filling moves only slightly in center when pan is shaken, about 55 minutes. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours.
• Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons water in small bowl. Let stand 10 minutes to soften. Set bowl in saucepan of simmering water and stir until gelatin dissolves. Remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat 1 cup chilled cream, powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon espresso powder in large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually beat in gelatin mixture. Spoon whipped cream over filling; smooth top. Chill until set, about 3 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
• Run knife between torte and pan sides to loosen; remove pan sides. Transfer torte to platter. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, if desired, and serve.

CHOCOLATE TORTE WITH COFFEE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat a convection oven to 375 degree F. If using a regular oven preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Bring some water to a simmer in a medium pot over medium heat. Put 3/4 cup of the butter and 3/4 cup of the chocolate into a bowl that fits on top of the pot without the bottom of the bowl touching the water. Put the bowl onto the pot. When the butter and chocolate have melted, remove it from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and eggs over the simmering water to warm the eggs. Fold in the chocolate mixture, then fold in the cake flour.
• Spray 6 (4-ounce) cake tins with nonstick cooking spray. Fill the tins to 1/2-inch from the top with the batter. Arrange the tins on a baking sheet and bake until they are set around the edges but are still liquid in the center, about 10 to 12 minutes. Check them after 10 minutes, don't overcook them or the center will not be liquid. Remove them from the oven and let them sit for 1 minute.
• While the torte is baking, put the remaining 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup chocolate chips into a bowl, melt them as before, and keep it warm. Beat the heavy cream in a large bowl until it forms soft peaks. Quickly beat in the coffee liqueur and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Slice the strawberries in half, leaving the stem on 1 half. Sprinkle the cut sides with sugar and caramelize them using a brulee torch.
• Brush a wide stripe of the melted chocolate across each serving plate. Arrange the caramelized strawberries above the stripe. Unmold each torte on top of the stripe on 1 side. Put a dollop of the whipped cream on the other side of the stripe. Top the whipped cream with the chopped nuts and a light dusting of cocoa powder. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.

CHOCOLATE CREAM TORTE

Steps:

• Grease an 8" loose form cake tin,line the base & lightly flour.
• To make the cake,melt the chocolate in a bowl over hot water.
• In a separate bowl,whisk the eggs and sugar until light and foamy and the whisk leaves a trail across the mixture(approx.5mins using an electric whisk).Fold the melted chocolate into this using a metal spoon.Sieve the flour and cocoa together and fold gently into the egg and choc. mixture.Pour this into the cake tin.Bake in the centre of a pre-heated oven(350degF),for 25-30 mins,until it is springy to the touch.Cool the cake in the tin for 2-3mins,then turn it on to a wire rack to cool.Reduce the oven temperature to 225degF.
• Draw two circles,8"diameter,on non-stick baking paper.Place these on a baking sheet.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry.Add half the sugar and continue whisking until the meringue stands in soft peaks.Sieve the cocoa and mix with the remaining sugar and ground hazelnuts,and fold this gently into the egg white.Fill in the marked circles with meringue.Bake in the centre of the oven for 1.3/4Hrs.Once cool,peel off the baking sheet.
• Slice the cooled cake into 2 layers.
• To make the icing,break the chocolate into pieces and melt in a bowl with the water over simmering water.Stir until smooth.Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little.Whisk the cream until it just stands in soft peaks.Gradually mix in the melted choc. and water.
• Place a meringue on a cake stand and cover with some cream.Place a layer of cake on top and cover with cream.Repeat with the other layers of cake and meringue.
• Spread the remaining cream over the top and sides of the torte and swirl using a pallette knife.Arrange chocolate curls on top and dust lightly with icing sugar.
• Cut into wedges and serve with cream.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO-NUT TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line the bottom of a greased 9-in springform pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and dust with cocoa. Set aside., Place hazelnuts and brown sugar in a food processor; cover and process until ground. In a second large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 egg yolk at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the melted chocolate, espresso powder, extract and salt. Gradually add hazelnut mixture., In the first large bowl, with clean beaters beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter. Spread into prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Remove sides of pan and invert onto a serving plate., Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until ganache reaches a spreading consistency, about 30 minutes., Spread ganache over top and sides of cake; press almonds onto sides. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.

CHOCOLATE SOUR CREAM TORTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat shortening and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in chocolate and vanilla., Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Combine the sour cream, milk and yogurt; add to the shortening mixture alternately with dry ingredients, beating well after each addition., Line two 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; coat pans with cooking spray and sprinkle with flour. Add the batter., Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, combine sour cream and sugar. Fold in whipped topping. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with a third of the frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until serving.