Dark Chocolate Torte Food

DARK CHOCOLATE AND WALNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment or waxed paper. Grease the bottom and sides of the pan with butter. Chop the untoasted walnuts and flour in a food processor fitted with the blade until smooth, set aside.
• Combine the chocolate and butter in a heatproof glass bowl or measuring cup. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute; stir mixture then microwave for additional 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted; set aside.
• Beat the egg yolks, ¾ cup sugar and vanilla on high in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, until pale yellow, 5-8 minutes. Stir in chocolate mixture then stir in reserved walnut and flour mixture.
• Combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and a small amount of the remaining ¼ cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixture. Whip on high speed with the whisk attachment until the whisk leaves visible paths in the egg whites and the mixture looks light, glossy and fluffy. Beat in the remaining sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form, about 1 to 2 minutes
• Fold egg whites into chocolate mixture in thirds until it is well blended. Gently transfer the batter to the prepared springform pan.
• Bake until a toothpick or cake tester comes out of the cake clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan; the center will sink a little as it cools, don't worry. Run a paring knife around the edge of the pan to make sure the edges are free before unmolding and removing the top part of the pan
• Use a fine sieve to sprinkle confectioner's sugar over top. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts and raspberries before serving.

HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE (PIE)

Steps:

• Place enough water in the bottom of a 4-quart saucepan to come 1 inch up the sides. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Place the chocolate chips in a medium metal mixing bowl, set over the simmering water, and stir with a rubber or silicone spatula until melted. Remove from the heat.
• Combine the tofu, chocolate mixture, and honey in a blender or food processor and spin until smooth (about 1 minute). Add in the vanilla extract (and optional liqueur) and pulse 20 seconds or so until incorporated.
• Pour the filling into the crust and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until the filling sets firm.
• Serving suggestion: Top with chocolate sprinkles. Garnish with raspberry puree and fresh raspberries.

WARM DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE (A DESSERT TO DIE FOR!)

Steps:

• -----TOMAKE THE CHOCOLATE PASTRY CREAM-----.
• Place the cornstarch in a small nonstick saucepan.
• Whisk in ¼ cup of the milk until smooth, and then whisk in the remaining ¾ cup milk.
• Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the saucepan, and then add the bean.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat.
• In a small bowl, beat together the egg, egg yolk, and sugar.
• Beating constantly add a small amount of the milk mixture to the egg mixture to temper it.
• Beating constantly, add the egg mixture to the milk mixture in the saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 1 minute or until the mixture has thickened.
• Strain through a very fine sieve into a clean bowl.
• Mix in the grated chocolate.
• (NOTE: In other recipes, the sauce may be used/served warm or chilled. Store any extra, unused sauce, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days).
• -----TOMAKE THE WARM CHOCOLATE TORTE-----.
• Spray 4 (4-oz.) ramekins with nonstick spray.
• Lightly dust the interior of the ramekins with confectioners’ sugar.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Place the egg whites in a medium bowl.
• Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy.
• Gradually add 3 tablespoons of superfine granulated sugar and beat on high speed until the whites are stiff and shiny.
• Fold in the pastry cream.
• Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
• Pipe the mixture into the prepared ramekins, piping in a spiral motion to fill the ramekins halfway.
• Divide the berries over the meringue.
• Pipe 2 additional circles of meringue over the berries.
• Place the ramekins on a baking sheet, and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the meringue is just set.
• Serve warm.

DARK & SQUIDGY CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base and sides of a 23cm springform or loose-bottomed cake tin. Put the butter and chocolate into a pan and gently melt together until smooth. Meanwhile, using an electric whisk, beat the eggs and sugar together for 5 mins until billowy and about the thickness of old-fashioned custard.
• Pour the chocolate and butter mix into the whisked egg and sugar, then fold it in very carefully using a large metal spoon. Mix the flour, almonds and ¼ tsp salt together, then fold into the mix until even. Spoon into the tin and bake for 35-40 mins until evenly set with a slight crust all over the top. Leave the cake to cool until warm, then release from the tin. Dust with cocoa, then cut into wedges.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter the bottom and side of a 9-inch springform pan. Combine the chocolate and 1 1/2 sticks butter in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until melted and combined. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and let cool slightly.
• Combine the eggs, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thick, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Gently fold half of the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until just combined, then gently fold in the rest. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top is no longer shiny and barely jiggles and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely in the pan. Remove the springform ring and transfer to a platter; dust with cocoa powder.

DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE WITH SPIKED BLACKBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 9-inch-diameter springform pan with margarine; line bottom with parchment. Stir 1 2/3 cups chocolate chips and 3/4 cup margarine in medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Whisk in cocoa and espresso. Cool 10 minutes.
• Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in large bowl on high speed until thick, about 6 minutes. Fold in chocolate mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake torte until dry and cracked on top and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist batter attached, about 42 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 1 hour (center will fall). Using spatula, press raised edges so top is level. Cut around pan sides; remove sides. Place plate atop torte and invert onto plate. Remove pan bottom; peel off paper, and cool torte completely.
• Stir remaining 1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate and 1/4 cup margarine in small saucepan over low heat until smooth (do not overheat). Whisk in 2 tablespoons blackberry coulis. Cool glaze 15 minutes. Pour glaze into center of torte. Smooth top with spatula, allowing some of glaze to drip down sides. Refrigerate uncovered until glaze is set, about 1 hour. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• Cut torte into wedges; spoon coulis alongside. Garnish with mint and berries, if desired.

DARK CHOCOLATE GANACHE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Combine pecans, brown sugar, and flour in a small bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or 2 knives until pea-size crumbs form. Press mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• While crust cools, place chocolate in a glass bowl. Set aside. Pour heavy cream into a small saucepan over medium heat; cook until edges of cream just begin to bubble, but do not boil. Pour hot cream over chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted and incorporated into cream. Let filling cool for 20 minutes.
• Pour filling into cooled crust. Chill torte in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Remove sides of pan prior to cutting.