Hazelnut Mocha Morsels Food

HAZELNUT-MOCHA DACQUOISE

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool completely. Combine 1 cup each hazelnuts and sugar and the potato starch in a blender or food processor and pulse until very finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 275 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a bowl as a guide, draw three 7-inch circles on the parchment with a pencil (2 circles on 1 piece and 1 circle on the other); flip the parchment so the markings face down.
• Put the egg whites, 1/2 cup sugar and the salt in a large heatproof bowl. Set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warm, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff and shiny but not dry, about 2 minutes.
• Fold the milk and one-quarter of the egg white mixture into the nut mixture with a rubber spatula until smooth, then fold in the remaining egg whites until just combined. Divide the batter among the 3 circles on the parchment and spread evenly with an offset spatula to fill the circles. Bake 1 hour, 30 minutes, then switch the position of the pans and continue baking until firm, dry and golden, 1 to 2 more hours. (The layers are done when they easily peel off the parchment.) Let cool slightly on the baking sheets; peel off the parchment and transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the ganache: Put 1 cup cream in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave until very hot, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the chocolate and espresso powder until smooth. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until cold, thick and spreadable, at least 30 minutes. Make the whipped cream: Combine the remaining 4 cups cream and 1/3 cup sugar in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium speed until it barely holds soft peaks, 1 to 2 minutes. Finish beating the cream by hand with a whisk until soft peaks form; do not overbeat.
• Put 2 meringue layers on a baking sheet; spread half of the ganache on each, to the edge. Refrigerate until set, 15 minutes. (If the ganache is too firm to spread, microwave in 20-second intervals to soften.) Place one of the ganache-topped meringues on a platter. Spread with 1 cup whipped cream. Stack the other ganache-topped meringue on top; spread with another layer of whipped cream. Top with the last meringue, then cover the top and side of the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Chop the remaining 1/3 cup hazelnuts and sprinkle on top of the cake along with the shaved chocolate. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.

MOCHA-HAZELNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture and beat until just incorporated, then beat in the hazelnuts.
• Divide the dough in half and put on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly dust your hands and the dough with flour, then shape each piece into an 11-by-2-inch log, about 5 inches apart. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer to the oven and bake until puffed and set, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer the logs to a cutting board. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• Slice the logs crosswise 1/2 inch thick. Arrange the slices cut-side down on the baking sheet. Return to the oven and bake, turning the cookies halfway through, until dry, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely (they will harden as they cool).

HAZELNUT-MOCHA MACARONS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Grind 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar, the hazelnuts, and cocoa in a food processor until powdery, about 3 minutes. Sift mixture through a medium mesh strainer onto a piece of parchment paper, then discard any large pieces of nuts that didn't come through the strainer.
• With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and salt until they hold firm but not dry peaks, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar, a tablespoon at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed; this can take up to 3 minutes. Beat for an extra 30 seconds until the peaks are firm and shiny but still not dry. Fold the nut mixture gently into the egg whites with a large rubber spatula. Transfer mixture into a large piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain piping tip. Pipe 32 2-inch by about 1/3-inch thick rounds, evenly spaced, on each of the prepared pans. Set aside to air dry for 30 minutes before baking.
• Meanwhile make the filling: Put chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream, with espresso powder mixed in, to a boil. Pour cream over chocolate and shake bowl gently so cream settles around the chocolate. Set mixture aside until the chocolate is soft, about 5 minutes. Whisk gently until smooth, taking care not to incorporate too many air bubbles. Cool at room temperature until set up.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Bake macaroons until set and puffed, about 18 to 20 minutes. Take care not to overcook the macaroons or they'll crack. Cool cookies for 5 minutes then gently peel from paper. Let cool completely.
• Spread 1 teaspoon of mocha filling on a cookie and sandwich 2 cookies together.

HAZELNUT MOCHA MORSELS

Steps:

• In a cup, dissolve coffee crystals in milk. Add vanilla and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat margarine or butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for about 30 second or until softened.
• Add about half of the flour to the margarine. Then add sugar, cocoa powder, egg yolks, and coffee mixture. Beat until thoroughly combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Then beat or stir in the remaining flour. If necessary, cover and chill dough until it is easy to handle.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press a hazelnut or a pecan or walnut half in the center of each ball.
• Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Remove cookies from cookie sheet and cool on a wire rack.
• To make icing: In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients to make an icing of drizzling consistency.
• Drizzly icing over cookies.

MOCHA & HAZELNUT CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter two 20cm cake tins and line the bases, then dust well with flour and tap out the excess. Put the chocolate in a small bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water. Stir until melted, then set aside to cool.
• Mix the espresso with 250ml boiling water, then leave to cool. Blitz the hazelnuts in a food processor until finely ground.
• Combine the ground hazelnuts, sugar, flour, a good pinch of salt and the bicarb in a mixer. Mix the eggs, soured cream, vanilla, butter, hazelnut oil and the cooled espresso in a jug. With the mixer on a low speed, gradually add the egg mixture to the sugar mixture and combine until smooth. Add the melted chocolate and beat for 15 seconds.
• Divide the batter between the tins (it'll be quite thin at this stage) and bake for 35-40 mins, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then run a knife around the edge and turn the cakes out onto a wire cooling rack. Leave to cool completely.
• For the buttercream filling, dissolve the espresso powder in 1 tbsp boiling water and leave to cool. Beat the butter and icing sugar in a mixer or by hand in a bowl, gradually adding the cooled coffee. Use a palette knife to spread the buttercream over the top of one sponge.
• To make the topping, gently heat the cream, espresso powder and sugar in a pan, stirring to help the sugar and coffee dissolve. Take off the heat and add the chocolate. Stir to melt until smooth and glossy, then leave to cool until thickened. Toast the whole hazelnuts in a dry frying pan, leave to cool, then chop very roughly (you'll want some halves in the mixture).
• Place the top layer of cake onto the bottom layer and cover with the glaze. Scatter the hazelnuts on top.

HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE MOCHA TORTE

Steps:

• MAKE THE BAVARIAN CREME: Lightly oil a round, shallow casserole or bowl approximately 10 inches in diameter.
• Line it with a layer of plastic wrap large enough to overhang the edges.
• In a small cup, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of the milk; set aside.
• In another small cup, stir the coffee into the cognac; set aside.
• In a saucepan, scald the remaining 1 cup milk.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt until light and fluffy.
• Gradually beat in the scalded milk.
• Return the mixture to the saucepan and stir constantly over moderate heat until thick enough to coat the back of the clean spoon. DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL.
• Transfer custard to a large bowl and whisk in the reserved gelatin and coffee mixtures, beating to thoroughly dissolve the gelatin.
• Cool to room temperature, whisking vigorously every couple of minutes to prevent lumping.
• When the custard is cool but not set, whip the cream until almost stiff.
• Whisk a large spoonful of the cream into the custard, then gently fold in the remaining cream.
• Carefully pour the bavarian cream into the prepared plastic lined bowl.
• Refrigerate, covered until firm. (This may be made one day ahead.).
• MAKE THE HAZELNUT JAPONAISE: Preheat the oven to 250.
• Butter and flour a baking sheet, preferably nonstick, and trace a 10 inch circle onto it, using a cake pan or pot lid as a guide.
• Blend together the hazelnuts, 1/2 cup of the superfine sugar and the cornstarch; set aside.
• Beat the egg whites until foamy, then add the cream of tartar and continue beating until the whites form soft peaks.
• Beating constantly, gradually add the remaining 2 T. superfine sugar and continue to beat until the meringue is stiff and glossy.
• Lightly fold the hazelnut mixture into the meringue.
• Spread the meringue onto the 10 inch circle on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until the meringue is set but still somewhat soft and just beginning to brown lightly.
• Using a thin metal spatula, loosen the baked meringue layer from the baking sheet. ( the meringue may tear slightly, but it will not show.).
• If it is too fragile to remove from the sheet, cool it on its baking sheet set on a wire rack, and then loosen from the sheet.
• MEANWHILE, PREPARE THE CHOCOLATE GENOISE: Preheat a second oven, of you have one to 350; otherwise, when the meringue is done, raise the heat to 350.
• Lightly butter a round, flat pan at least 12 inches in diameter.
• Line the bottom of the pan with a circle of waxed paper or parchment.
• Lightly butter and flour the paper and sides of the pan.
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
• Skim off the foam carefully.
• Cool slightly.
• Into a small bowl, sift the flour and cocoa together.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs and the granulated sugar until very light, foamy and almost tripled in volume.
• Add vanilla, then lightly but rapidly fold the flour-cocoa mixture into the eggs.
• When the ingredients are almost but not quite homogeneous, fold in the melted butter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the cake springs back when toughed gently.
• Remove from the oven and cool briefly in the pan.
• Invert a pie plate with slanted sides onto a cooling rack, then cover the pie plate with a kitchen towel.
• Lightly sprinkle the towel with confectioners sugar and invert the genoise onto the towel.
• Gently peel off the paper and allow the cake to cool.
• ASSEMBLE THE TORTE: Carefully transfer the japonaise to a serving platter.
• Equally carefully, invert the bavarian creme over the japonaise.
• Peel the plastic wrap off the bavarian and trim any ragged meringue edges off the japonaise.
• Top the bavarian with the genoise, pressing it into a dome shape if necessary.
• MAKE THE FROSTING: Whip the cream until thick but not stiff, then add the confectioners sugar, cocoa and vanilla.
• Whip unti quite stiff.
• Spread over the torte, flattening the top slightly.
• TO DECORATE THE CAKE: Using a swivel-bladed peeler, scrape the chocolate into long shavings.
• Lightly sprinkle the shavings over the torte and chill for a t least 2 hours.
• At serving time, dust lightly with confetioners sugar sprinkled through a small sieve.

MOCHA HAZELNUT CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter and line the base of a 20cm round cake tin. To make the cake, break up the chocolate and put in a small bowl with the coffee over a pan of water. Heat gently, stirring a little, until the chocolate has melted and you have a smooth sauce. Set aside.
• Beat together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand whisk or wooden spoon, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, a little at a time. Don't worry if the mixture curdles, it won't affect the finished cake. Fold in the chocolate, then the hazelnuts, then sift in the flour and baking powder.
• Pour the mixture into the cake tin and bake for 45-55 mins, until firm to the touch. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out and cool on a wire rack.
• To make the filling, put the chocolate, butter, coffee and cream in a small pan and heat gently, stirring until dissolved and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the icing sugar. Leave to cool, then put in the fridge, stirring occasionally until it is spreadable. This will take 1-2 hrs.
• Slice the cake in two horizontally and put the base on a serving plate. Spread over half of the filling and scatter over half the hazelnuts. Cover with the top of the cake and spread the remaining filling over the top. Scatter the remaining hazelnuts around the top edge of the cake.

HAZELNUT MOCHA COFFEE

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Add sugar and cinnamon; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour over chocolate; stir with a whisk until smooth. Stir in liqueur., Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate, covered, until cold. Beat just until soft peaks form, about 15 seconds (do not overbeat). For each serving, spoon 1/4 cup into mugs. Top with 3/4 cup coffee; stir to dissolve. Top with whipped cream if desired.