Espresso Mascarpone Icebox Dessert Food

ESPRESSO AND MASCARPONE ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Beat 2 cups cream with 6 tablespoons sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until it just holds soft peaks, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Reduce speed to low, then add mascarpone and mix until combined.
• Spread 1 1/4 cups mascarpone mixture evenly in bottom of a 9 1/2- to 10-inch springform pan and cover with 14 wafers, slightly overlapping if necessary.
• Spread with another 1 1/4 cups mascarpone mixture, followed by 14 more wafers arranged in the same manner.
• Spread remaining mascarpone mixture on top.
• Smooth top with a metal offset spatula, then cover pan with foil and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Transfer from freezer to refrigerator and chill, covered, until a sharp knife inserted into center cuts through softened wafers easily, about 8 hours.
• Pulse remaining chocolate wafers in a food processor until finely ground.
• Beat remaining cup of cream with espresso powder and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar using electric mixer at medium speed until it just holds stiff peaks, about 3 minutes.
• Remove foil and side of pan and frost cake all over with espresso cream.
• Sprinkle edge of top lightly with wafer crumbs.
• Serve cold.
• Cake, without espresso cream, can be chilled up to 2 days.
• Cake can be frosted with espresso cream 4 hours ahead and chilled, loosely covered with foil.

MOCHA CHOCOLATE ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, coffee liqueur, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla. Mix on low speed to combine and then slowly raise the speed, until it forms firm peaks.
• To assemble the cake, arrange chocolate chip cookies flat in an 8-inch springform pan, covering the bottom as much as possible. (I break some cookies to fill in the spaces.) Spread a fifth of the mocha whipped cream evenly over the cookies. Place another layer of cookies on top, lying flat and touching, followed by another fifth of the cream. Continue layering cookies and cream until there are 5 layers of each, ending with a layer of cream. Smooth the top, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• Run a small sharp knife around the outside of the cake and remove the sides of the pan. Sprinkle the top with the chocolate, cut in wedges, and serve cold.

ESPRESSO AND MASCARPONE ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Beat 2 cups cream with 6 tablespoons sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until it just holds soft peaks, 2 to 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low, then add mascarpone and mix until combined.
• Spread 1 1/4 cups mascarpone mixture evenly in bottom of springform pan and cover with 14 wafers, slightly overlapping if necessary. Spread with another 1 1/4 cups mascarpone mixture, followed by 14 more wafers arranged in the same manner. Spread remaining mascarpone mixture on top. Smooth top with a metal offset spatula, then cover pan with foil and freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Transfer from freezer to refrigerator and chill, covered, until a sharp knife inserted into center cuts through softened wafers easily, about 8 hours.
• Pulse remaining chocolate wafers in a food processor until finely ground.
• Beat remaining cup cream with espresso powder and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar using electric mixer at medium speed until it just holds stiff peaks, about 3 minutes.
• Remove foil and side of pan and frost cake all over with espresso cream. Sprinkle edge of top lightly with wafer crumbs. Serve cold.

ESPRESSO MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons water. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until pale, about 1 minute.
• In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup cream and espresso powder over medium until warm, stirring occasionally with a silicone spatula. Gradually whisk warm cream mixture into egg mixture until combined, then return to saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook over medium until mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in gelatin mixture. Press plastic wrap onto surface of espresso mixture and let cool completely (do not refrigerate), about 45 minutes.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup cream until soft peaks form. With a spatula, gently fold cream into espresso mixture. Divide among six 4-ounce containers. Cover and refrigerate until set, 1 hour (or up to 1 day). Before serving, whisk 1/2 cup cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Top mousse with whipped cream and sprinkle with cocoa powder, if desired.