Chocolate Fingers Food

CHOCOLATE FINGERS

Steps:

• Prepare the cake mix according to manufacturers directions. Pour the batter into a greased 9 by 12-inch cake pan and bake according to package instructions. Remove the cake from the oven and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• With an electric mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed for 5 minutes, then add the sugar, chocolate and vanilla extract. Continue to mix for 2 to 3 minutes, stopping during the mixing to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Remove the cake from the oven and apply the chocolate mixture to the top of the cake with a spatula. It should be 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick. Return the cake to the refrigerator and allow the topping to set. Remove the cake from the pan with spatula and cut into 3 by 1-inch fingers with a sharp knife. Arrange on a serving tray and dust with powdered sugar.

CHOCOLATE FINGERS, THE BAR TO BEAT ALL BARS! (NO BAKE)

Steps:

• Line a 20 x 31 cm (8 x 12 inch) container with plastic clingfilm.
• Melt the butter over a very low heat completely in a saucepan, then add the condensed milk and keep mixing until the butter "disappears', i.e.) there is no yellow showing in the mixture.
• Combine condensed milk mixture with all the dry ingredients of the chocolate fingers part of the recipe and mix well.
• Press mixture into a 20 x 31 cm (8 x 12 inch) container.
• Ice with chocolate icing.
• Refrigerate until firm.
• Once firm, make a central cut to cut the slice in half and then gently use the clingfilm to ease the slice out of the pan and cut it into fingers or squares on a cutting board.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE LADYFINGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Sift the cake flour and cocoa powder together in a small mixing bowl and set aside. Place the egg whites in a large mixing bowl and whip until foamy with an electric mixer set on medium speed. Make a French meringue by adding the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. When you whip egg whites, add the sugar slowly to allow the whites to gain some volume. When you have volume, add the rest of the sugar. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and whip to stiff but not dry peaks, about 5 minutes. When the whites are slightly stiff, reduce the mixer speed to low to allow even more air to be incorporated without over whipping the egg whites. Let the egg whites continue to whip for about another 2 minutes. Stop whipping them if they begin to look dry or separated.
• Very gently, fold the egg yolks into the whipped egg whites with a rubber spatula until they are partially incorporated. Carefully fold the sifted mixture into the egg mixture. It is important to fold as gently as possible to avoid deflating the batter. Remember to fold all the way to the bottom of the bowl to fully incorporate both mixtures.
• Place the batter in a pastry bag fitted with a 3/4-inch plain tip. To pipe the ladyfingers, hold the pastry bag at a slight angle and allow the tip to touch the parchment paper as you start to pipe. Squeeze gently, applying even pressure as you pipe the desired length, then stop squeezing and lift the tip straight up, leaving a small tail on the end of each ladyfinger. Pipe evenly shaped ladyfingers about 3/4-inch wide on a parchment paper-covered sheet pan. Space them about 1/2-inch apart to allow them room to spread as they bake. Dust the tops of the ladyfingers with powdered sugar to give them a nice crust.
• Bake the ladyfingers until light and evenly browned, about 5 minutes. (The browning may be difficult to discern with the chocolate ladyfingers.) Remove from the oven and immediately move to a wire rack to prevent the heat of the pan from continuing to bake the ladyfingers. Set aside until ready to use. When cooled, the ladyfingers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the freezer, well wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 2 weeks.

DARK CHOCOLATE LADYFINGERS

Steps:

• For the ladyfingers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and dust lightly with confectioners' sugar.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa powder and salt in a bowl.
• Put the egg whites in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until frothy. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar and beat until stiff, shiny peaks form, about 6 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, beat the yolks and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar until pale and thick. Beat in the vanilla. Gently fold the yolks into the egg whites; it's okay if some streaks remain. Add the flour mixture and fold gently, but thoroughly, until well mixed.
• Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 3/4-inch plain tip. Pipe 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide ladyfingers about 1/2 inch apart. Dust the tops of the cookies lightly with confectioners' sugar. Bake until springy to the touch, 16 to 18 minutes. Cool completely.
• For the decoration: Combine the chocolate and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Dip one end of each ladyfinger in the chocolate, then sprinkle with the coconut over parchment paper. Place on a serving platter.
• Refrigerate until set. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to serve, up to 4 hours (ladyfingers dry out quickly).