Dark Chocolate Cherry Gelt Food

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY GELT

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a double boiler set over simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring, until smooth. Stir in the cherry extract.
• Use a liquid measuring cup to pour the chocolate into a coin-shaped chocolate mold, filling all the way to the top. Use a bench scraper to level and remove the excess chocolate. Place the mold flat in the freezer and freeze until solid, about 15 minutes.
• Pop the chocolates face-up onto a piece of parchment paper. Use a small, soft paintbrush to brush the surface of half the coins with the luster dust, making an even coat - this way some are "wrapped" and some are "unwrapped."

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY LOAF CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment, allowing it to hang over the sides. Spray the parchment with baking spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, milk, melted butter and eggs until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chunks. Add the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Place the loaf pan on a sheet pan and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing it from the cake pan, then allow the cake to cool completely, about an hour.
• For the cherry glaze: Mix the powdered sugar, preserves and milk until thoroughly combined; it should be thick but pourable. Add the food coloring and mix through. Pour the icing over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Sprinkle over the mini chocolate chips. Slice and serve.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY FUDGE

Steps:

• LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.
• COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• STIR in marshmallows, morsels, dried cherries and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.
• VARIATION: For an equally delicious fudge, try substituting 3/4 cup dried berry blend for the cherries.

DARK CHOCOLATE & CHERRY BAR

Steps:

• Line a 20cm square baking tin with a strip of baking parchment - leave an overhang as this will help lift everything out of the tin later. Scatter the amaretti biscuits over the base of the tin and set aside.
• Tip the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and pour the cream into a saucepan. Bring the cream to the boil, then pour it over the chocolate and stir until completely melted. Pour the mixture over the biscuits, then tap the tin to even out. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hrs (or up to 2 days ahead).
• While the chocolate is setting, drain the cherries over a small saucepan and set them aside. Simmer the juice from the tin for about 5 mins or until syrupy. This can be done a day ahead and both can be kept in the fridge.
• To serve, use the parchment handles to lift everything out of the tin on to a board and, using a sharp knife dipped in hot water, cut into six neat bars. Using a pastry brush, paint a thick stripe of the kirsch syrup across each plate, then sit a chocolate bar across the stripe at an opposing angle. Top each bar with a line of cherries and serve with extra syrup on the side.

DARK CHOCOLATE POTS WITH CHERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• First, make the compote. Tip the cherries into a wide saucepan with 2 tbsp water and bring to the boil over a medium heat. When the fruit starts to soften, add the sugar and brandy, then return to the boil, reduce the heat to low-medium and simmer for 15-20 mins until slightly thickened. Spoon into a bowl or sterilised jar and set aside to cool.
• Melt the chocolate, butter and 1 tbsp water together in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Alternatively, do this in the microwave in short 20-second bursts. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
• Beat the egg yolks with 60g caster sugar until pale and creamy using a stand mixer or an electric whisk, about 2-3 mins. Fold this into the warm chocolate mixture. In a second bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining caster sugar to soft peaks (ensure the beaters are cleaned thoroughly first). Fold the whipped egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture using a large metal spoon, then divide between six serving glasses and chill for at least 2 hrs.
• For the cream topping, beat the double cream with the icing sugar and vanilla using an electric whisk until thick, being careful not to over-whip. Top the chilled chocolate pots with a spoonful each of the cream and cherry compote.