Dark Chocolate Espresso Sundae Food

DARK CHOCOLATE MOCHA MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter a metal 8-inch square cake pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper; lightly butter the parchment. Combine the cocoa and espresso powders in a medium bowl. Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until the milk is steaming and the butter melts. Whisk into the cocoa mixture; let cool to room temperature.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until very pale, thick and pillowy, 5 to 8 minutes. Beat 30 to 45 more seconds to stabilize the egg foam.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the cocoa mixture in 2 additions, alternating with the flour mixture in 2 additions. Beat just until the batter is smooth and no dry flour remains.
• Pour the batter into the cake pan and gently tap against the counter to eliminate any air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out the cake onto a rack. Peel off the parchment but let it rest gently on top of the cake while it cools completely. Wipe the cake pan clean and reserve.
• Make the ganache: Combine 1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 ounces chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan. Gently cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until melted and smooth. Let cool.
• Make the mousse: Combine the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and 4 ounces chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup heavy cream and the gelatin powder in a small microwave- safe bowl. Let stand until the gelatin absorbs the liquid, about 5 minutes, then microwave until melted, 20 to 30 seconds, whisking. Let cool, stirring occasionally.
• Combine the remaining 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, the sugar and espresso powder in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium speed to dissolve the sugar, about 1 minute. Stream in the cooled gelatin mixture, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until the mixture is thick and stiff peaks form. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture in 2 or 3 batches until the mousse is well blended.
• Assemble the cake: Line the reserved cake pan with 2 crisscrossed strips of parchment paper (this will help you lift out the finished cake). Carefully slice the cake horizontally into 3 equal layers. Lay the best layer cut-side up in the bottom of the pan and brush with some of the chocolate liqueur, if using. (Use a plate or small cutting board to move the layers; if your top cake layer is domed, use it for the middle of the cake.) Evenly spread half of the mousse on top with an offset spatula, all the way to the edges. Top with a second cake layer. Brush again with chocolate liqueur, then spread half of the ganache evenly on top. Add the final cake layer, cut-side up, and brush with the remaining liqueur. Top with the remaining mousse and ganache. (The assembled cake should fill the pan.)
• Refrigerate the cake until the top is set, about 30 minutes, then wrap the whole cake pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to set completely.
• Lift the cake out of the pan using the parchment pieces and transfer to a cutting board. Using a hot, dry serrated knife, slice the cake, wiping the knife in between cuts for clean edges.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE SUNDAE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt and set aside. In another bowl, add the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and eggs. Mix with a fork and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the cocoa and whisk to combine. Pour the boiling water into the melted butter mixture in the pan. Allow to bubble for a moment, then turn off the heat. Pour the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture. Stir together for a moment to cool the chocolate, then pour in the egg mixture. Stir together until smooth.
• Pour the batter into 4 ovensafe 6-inch skillets (unbuttered) and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• Drizzle the cakes with Cinnamon Hot Fudge Sauce and top with scoops of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry.
• Add the sugar, cream, cocoa, butter and cinnamon to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the butter melts, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a mason jar and store in the fridge. (The sauce will harden as it cools, so reheat in a pan over medium heat when ready to use.)

NAUGHTY CHOCOLATE SUNDAE

Steps:

• To Make the Sauce: Melt the chocolate with the butter (you can do this in the mircowave) until there are no lumps. Remember to stir this while heating.
• Once melted, leave to cool for 5 minutes and then swirl in the cream. If mixture curdles- add more cream. Sift in the icing sugar and stir.
• When ready to use- put this mixture into a pan and add the syrup. Heat this and stir until the sauce is pourable and add to the sundae (below).
• Sundae: Put the ingredients into large wine glasses or sundae bowls, varying different layers in. Fill to the top.
• Pour the warm sauce over the top and spinkle afew biscuit crumbs on top. Serve warm.

ANCHO BROWNIE SUNDAE

Steps:

• Make the brownies: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 10-inch ovenproof skillet; set aside. Combine the butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the brown sugar and granulated sugar until incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Whisk in the flour, chile powder, cinnamon, salt, orange zest and cloves until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, make the chocolate sauce: Combine the heavy cream, butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook, whisking, until melted and barely simmering, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in the chocolate, cocoa powder, espresso powder and cayenne until smooth and slightly thickened. Let cool slightly.
• Cut the brownies into wedges. Top with ice cream and the chocolate sauce.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CUPS

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a medium pot over high heat until hot, but not boiling. Reduce the heat to very low and add the espresso, chocolate, sugar, and vanilla. Using a whisk, stir the mixture until the chocolate has melted. Continue to whisk the chocolate mixture until frothy every few minutes for about 8 minutes, until the chocolate has completely dissolved into the milk. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.

MARSHMALLOW CREME-HOT FUDGE SUNDAES

Steps:

• Combine chocolate, cocoa powder, and espresso in a large metal bowl. Bring cream just to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat; pour over chocolate mixture. Let sit for 30 seconds, then whisk until smooth and glossy. Fold marshmallow creme into chocolate. DO AHEAD:Can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool, cover, and chill. Rewarm before serving.
• Serve warm sauce over ice cream.

HOT FUDGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring cream, corn syrup, sugar, cocoa, salt, and half of chocolate to a boil in a 1 to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Reduce heat and cook at a low boil, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Add butter, vanilla, and remaining chocolate and stir until smooth. Cool sauce to warm before serving.