Fruit Sweetened Chocolate Frosting Food

FRUIT-SWEETENED SNACK CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter an 8-by-8-inch baking dish.
• Set aside 1/4 cup each of the apricots and raisins and dice; reserve for later. Put the remaining apricots and raisins in a medium bowl and cover with very hot water, then let soak until the fruit is very soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and puree in a food processor along with the orange juice until very smooth.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the apricot-raisin puree and beat until incorporated and smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk, vanilla and orange zest and beat until incorporated. Lower the mixer speed to medium-low and add half the flour mixture, then all of the sour cream and then the remaining flour mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed (it's ok if the batter has some lumps). Fold in the diced apricots and raisins.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Bake until golden, the cake bounces back when pressed in the center and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack.
• For the frosting: Soak the chopped dates in very hot water until very soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the food processor. Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Add to the dates along with the heavy cream and cocoa powder. Process until light and smooth.
• Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the chocolate-date frosting over the top. Cut into squares and serve.

FRUIT-SWEETENED FIG AND WALNUT BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
• Put the figs and dates in a medium bowl and cover with very hot water until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a food processor; process until very smooth.
• Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda in a small bowl.
• Add the melted chocolate and oil to the fruit puree and pulse to combine. Add the eggs and vanilla and pulse to combine. Add the flour mixture and pulse until just combined. Then add 1/2 cup of walnuts and pulse until the walnuts are in pieces about the size of peas.
• Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Break up the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts into small pieces and push into the top of the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out moist with a little bit of batter clinging to it, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack. Cut into 16 squares. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a large bowl and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, whisk together the cream and corn syrup and bring to a boil. Pour the cream mixture over the bowl of chocolate and immediately whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the chocolate mixture to the bowl of a standing electric mixer, or use a hand-held mixer and bowl, and whip on high speed, until creamy and fluffy. Use as desired. May be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Beat 3 sticks softened butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 minutes. Gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar on low speed until combined.
• Add 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and 2 teaspoons vanilla and beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in 6 ounces cooled melted semisweet chocolate until smooth and fluffy, 2 to 3 more minutes.
• Spread the frosting on the cake. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.