Chocolate Hazelnut Tassies Food

DARK CHOCOLATE AND HAZELNUT CANDIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the hazelnuts on a small baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool. Transfer the hazelnuts to a cup and line the baking sheet with wax paper.
• Meanwhile, combine the confectioners' sugar, rice cereal and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, about 20 times. Add the chocolate-hazelnut spread and melted butter. Pulse until the mixture comes together in clumps, about 15 times; the mixture should be dry to the touch but hold together when pressed.
• Roll the mixture into teaspoon-size balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Press a hazelnut into each ball and then press the dough back into a ball shape, leaving part of the hazelnut exposed at the top. Freeze the balls at least 20 minutes to let them firm up.
• Put the chocolate chips, shortening and a pinch of salt in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the chips on the bottom start to melt, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Stir until the mixture is melted and smooth. Gently stick a toothpick into the upper half of a ball, avoiding the hazelnut, and dip into the melted chocolate, leaving the top half uncoated. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and return the ball to the baking sheet. Smooth over the hole from the toothpick with your fingertip. Repeat with the rest of the balls. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. You can store the balls covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TASSIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese, sugar and lemon zest. Beat in flour. Shape into 36 balls. With floured fingers, press onto the bottom and up the sides of ungreased miniature muffin cups., For filling, in a small bowl, beat the Nutella, brown sugar, egg, butter and vanilla until blended. Stir in hazelnuts and chocolate chips. Fill prepared cups three-fourths full. , Bake at 375° for 16-18 minutes or until set. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes. Carefully remove from pans to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE TASSIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly roll out 1 piece of dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface. Cut out circles using a 3-inch-round cookie cutter. Repeat with the other piece of dough. Fit the dough circles into the holes of a 24-cup mini-muffin pan, pressing into the bottom and side of each cup. Lightly brush the dough with the beaten egg and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake until browned, 16 to 18 minutes; let cool in the pan.
• Combine the chocolate, peanut butter and confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat until steaming; pour over the chocolate mixture and add the vanilla. Let stand until the chocolate softens, 3 to 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth and glossy. (If the chocolate is not completely melted, microwave in 20-second intervals, whisking, until smooth.)
• Spoon the chocolate mixture into the pastry cups and decorate with nonpareils. Let stand at room temperature until the chocolate sets, about 1 hour, then unmold.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread hazelnuts on the sheet in an even layer. Bake until skins have split and nuts are fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes; rub with a damp towel and blow the skins away. If they cooled off when you removed the skins, go ahead and warm them in the oven again. This will help them to release more oil.
• Combine the nuts and chocolate chips in the bowl of a food processor. Add the honey and process into a smooth paste, adding more oil if needed. Spoon into a container and store at room temperature.

BROWNIE TASSIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Make tassie pastry (#59854) and line mini muffin cups with this pastry.
• Melt chips and butter in saucepan over low heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in sugar, egg, and vanilla.
• Place a whole hazelnut in center of each pastry-lined cup.
• Top with 1 rounded tsp of chocolate mixture.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Immediately, and very carefully using the tip of a pointed knife, gently knudge out each tassie out of its cup and transfer to a rack to cool.
• If they cool in the pan too long, they are more difficult to remove.
• Your first couple may break (those are the ones I eat on the spot- the rewards of making them!), but you will soon learn just the right'move' to remove them perfectly.