Chocolate Raspberry Petits Fours Food

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY PETIT FOURS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat two 13- X 9-inch baking pans with cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix powder, 1 cup water, eggs and 2 tablespoons oil until smooth. Spoon 1 1/2 cups batter into one prepared pan; spread into an even layer.
• Add cocoa powder and remaining 1/4 cup water to bowl; blend until smooth. Spoon batter into second prepared pan; spread into an even layer. Bake until a tester inserted in center of each cake is done, about 10 minutes.
• Spread vanilla cake with jam; let sit for about 10 minutes to cool and to allow jam to soak in. Let chocolate cake cool in pan for same length of time. Run a knife around edges of cake pans; carefully remove cakes from pan. Spread chocolate pudding evenly over jam; top with chocolate cake.
• Using a ruler, slice prepared cake evenly into 48 squares (6 rows of 8 pieces). Flip 24 mini cakes over so only half of petit fours have chocolate on top.
• In a small bowl, microwave chocolate chips and remaining teaspoon oil until smooth, about 1 minute (stop and stir after 30 seconds). Use a teaspoon and rapid zig-zag hand motion to evenly drizzle melted chocolate over tops of cakes; place a raspberry on middle of each cake. Keep chilled until ready to serve. Yields 1 petit four per serving.

CHOCOLATE AND RASBERRY PETIT FOURS

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a metal bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a small, heavy saucepan and pour over chocolate. Let stand for 3-5 minutes then stir until smooth. Add port, stirring to combine. Remove half the chocolate mixture to a separate bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap and place bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice to chill just until mixture reaches spreading consistency.
• Spread about a teaspoon of chocolate mixture onto the bottom of a cookie. Nest three raspberries in the chocolate, pressing gently to adhere. Drizzle with some of the still-warm chocolate mixture and let stand until firm.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY PETIT FOURS

Steps:

• MAKE RASPBERRY PUREE:.
• Thaw 1.5 packages frozen raspberries. Press berries berries through a fine-mesh strainer, using a rubber spatula. (Yield approximately 1-1/2 cups puree).
• MAKE THE RASPBERRY SPONGE CAKE:.
• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter 15"x10" jelly roll pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and butter the paper.
• Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Mix 2/3 cup Raspberry Puree and butter in a small saucepan. Heat to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the Chambord and remove from heat.
• Place eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract in large mixing bowl.
• Beat with electric mixer at high speed about 5 minutes or until thick and lemon-colored. Lower to medium speed and very carefully pour the hot Raspberry Puree into egg mixture, beating well.
• Add the flour mixture, beating on low speed until incorporated. Spread batter in prepared pan.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touch. Cool the cake in the pan for 5-10 minutes.
• Invert onto a wire rack and peel off the parchment papaer. Cool completely.
• MAKE THE RASPBERRY GANACHE:.
• Heat the cream and 2/3 cup Raspberry Puree in a medium saucepan over medium heat to a boil, stirring occasionall. Remove from heat.
• Add chopped chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in the Chambord. Pour into jelly roll or baking pan.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let it stand at room temperature until cooled and thickened, about 1 to 2 hours. (The Raspberry Ganache can be made ahead and refrigerated until needed. Bring ganache to room temperature or gently reheat until spreadable.).
• ASSEMBLE THE PETITS FOURS:.
• Cut cake in half crosswise, making two 10"x7.5" rectangles.
• Spread 2/3 cup Raspberry Ganache over one layer. Top with second layer.
• Wrap cake in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Cut cake into 1" squares. Place half the cake squares on a wire rack set over baking sheet.
• Freeze remaining cake squares.
• Place the Raspberry Ganache in a 4 cup microwave-safe measuring cup with a pouring spot. Microwave on medium(50%) for minute. Stir until smooth. (Ganache should be thin enough to pour.).
• Slowly drizzle the ganache over each petit four, coating all sides evenly. Return any ganache on baking sheet to measuring cup.
• Repeat melting and pouring the ganache over cakes until each petit four is coated. Repeat with remaining cake squares.
• Chill petit fours in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• DECORATING THE PETITS FOURS:.
• Place Solid Ivory into small microwave-safe cup. Microwave on medium (50%)for 1 minute. Stir until smooth.
• Tint pink with red food coloring. Spoon into parchment cone, pastry bag, or teaspoon and drizle petits fours with melted pink icing.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour to set decoration. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.