Chocolate Strawberry Cups Food

CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners. Whisk the flour, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Combine the cocoa powder and espresso powder in a large bowl. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot but not simmering; pour over the cocoa powder mixture and whisk until smooth. Let cool a few minutes, then add the granulated sugar and whisk until dissolved. Whisk in the vegetable oil, egg and vanilla, then whisk in the flour mixture until combined.
• Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds of the way. Bake until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently pressed, about 20 minutes. Stir together the strawberry preserves and lemon juice and brush on the warm cupcakes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the chocolate-dipped strawberries: Microwave 4 ounces semisweet chocolate in a bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Dip the strawberries in the chocolate; place on a plate. Let set, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Make the frosting: Microwave the white chocolate and the remaining 2 ounces semisweet chocolate in separate bowls in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Let cool. Beat 6 tablespoons butter and a pinch of salt in a bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in the melted white chocolate. Add 1 cup confectioners¿ sugar; beat until fluffy, 3 minutes, then beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk. Set the white chocolate frosting aside. Repeat this step with the melted semisweet chocolate to make a semisweet chocolate frosting.
• Spoon the white chocolate frosting onto one side of a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Spoon the semisweet chocolate frosting next to the white chocolate frosting so the two flavors are side by side; pipe the swirled frosting onto the cupcakes. Top each with a chocolate-dipped strawberry.

STRAWBERRY CUPS

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Put the gelatin and boiling water in a blender, and process for 10 to 15 seconds to dissolve the gelatin. Add the strawberries and process again, just long enough to blend in the berries. Put the blender container in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, or just until the mixture starts to thicken a bit.
• Add 3/4 cup of the heavy cream, and process in the blender just long enough to mix it all in, about 10 to 15 seconds. Pour into 5 or 6 pretty little dessert cups and chill in the refrigerator, at least 1 hour.
• With an electric mixer or by hand, whip the remaining 1/4 cup of cream with the vanilla and sugar substitute. Top each cup with a dollop if whipped cream. If desired, cut a strawberry into a fan-shape, and place on top with a mint leaf to garnish.

STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE CUPS

Steps:

• Place the chocolate in a bowl, and stand over a bowl of hot water to melt.
• Use to coat thinly the insides of 8 paper muffin cases.
• Chill to set and re-coat with remaining chocolate.
• Chill, then peel off the paper.
• Whip the cream until it holds its shape, then gradually beat in the strawberry puree and sugar.
• Place in a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip.
• Place the sliced strawberries at the bottom of each chocolate cup and pipe a swirl of strawberry cream on top.

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY DESSERTS

Steps:

• Beat milk and pudding mix till thick and smooth and set aside.
• Drain strawberries and place berries in a blender.
• Cover and process until smooth.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold in strawberry puree.
• Divide half of the chocolate pudding among four dessert dishes.
• Top with half the strawberry mixture.
• Repeat layers and garnish with strawberry slices.