Chocolate Mousse Cups With Candied Bacon Food

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CUPS

Steps:

• Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray and put a cookie in the bottom of each cup. Whisk the eggs, sugar, salt and water in a large heatproof bowl. Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan and set the bowl on top (do not let the bowl touch the water). Cook, whisking, until pale, fluffy and very thick (like a thick pudding), 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of your bowl. Remove from the heat and whisk in the melted chocolate; let cool.
• Beat 1 1/4 cups heavy cream with the sour cream in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the cooled chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain, then divide evenly among the muffin cups. Cover and refrigerate until set, 12 hours or overnight.
• Run an offset spatula around each mousse cup to loosen and slide the spatula under the cookie; remove the mousse cups. (If they're too soft to remove, freeze briefly.) Beat the remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream in a large bowl with a mixer until soft peaks form, then dollop onto the mousse cups and sprinkle with shaved chocolate.

CHOCOLATE HUMMUS WITH CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• For the hummus: In the bowl of a food processor blend the cocoa powder, maple syrup, almond extract, cinnamon, salt and garbanzo beans. Add a little bit of water to adjust the consistency if needed.
• For the bacon: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Cook the bacon to desired doneness in the microwave or on the stovetop. Sprinkle the hot bacon with brown sugar then bake for 5 minutes.
• Dip the candied bacon in the chocolate hummus and enjoy!

NO-FUSS COCOA MOUSSE

Steps:

• Combine the cocoa mix, cream cheese, milk and sugar in a large bowl, then beat with an electric hand mixer until well blended.
• Add the whipped topping and whip to fully combine. Serve in 6 individual 6-ounce cups and top with the orange zest and mini chocolate chips.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CUPS WITH CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet, fry bacon over medium-low heat, turning once, until partially cooked (should still be limp). Remove bacon to paper towels and drain all fat from pan. Return bacon to pan and sprinkle with 1/4 cup brown sugar. Cook over low heat, turning frequently, about 10 minutes, until bacon is well coated with sugar and very firm. Remove to a rack to cool. (Do not cool on paper towels). If any melted sugar remains in the pan, spoon it over the bacon.
• Meanwhile, place shells in preheated 350ºF oven for 4 minutes to crisp. Remove and cool.
• In a small bowl, with an electric mixer, beat mascarpone, remaining sugar, chocolate and coffee. In another bowl, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture.
• Spoon/Pipe about two teaspoons of chocolate mixture into each shell. Chop bacon into small pieces and sprinkle over chocolate. Serve immediately. Note: If not serving immediately, refrigerate filling and bacon so that shells stay crispy and crunchy once they're filled.