Marbled Mint Chocolate Pudding Food

CHOCOLATE MARBLE LOVE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
• Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions. Spoon evenly into the prepared pan and set aside.
• Combine the ricotta, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, eggs and 4 ounces of the mascarpone in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until smooth. Gently scoop the filling onto the cake batter and spread, so the top is completely covered. Bake until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the vanilla cake layer has risen to the top, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack.
• Combine the instant pudding, milk and the remaining 12 ounces mascarpone in a stand mixer and beat until thick and smooth. Spread the frosting evenly over the entire cake. Use a peeler to shave chocolate curls to garnish the cake.

CHOCOLATE-MINT MARBLE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
• Put 1 3/4 cups sugar, butter, cream cheese, baking powder, salt, and peppermint and vanilla extracts in a bowl. Cream together with a mixer until well blended, 2 or 3 minutes. Mix in egg until incorporated. Add 2 cups of the flour; mix on low speed until incorporated, 2 to 3 minutes (dough will be very soft).
• Divide dough roughly in half and transfer one half to another bowl. Mix in food coloring, if using, and remaining 1/2 cup flour into one half of dough. Mix cocoa powder into other half. Place 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl.
• Pinch off about 1 teaspoon of green dough and roll into a small ball; repeat with remaining green dough. Do the same with chocolate dough. To make each cookie, line up 4 small balls of dough in a row, alternating colors: green, chocolate, green, chocolate. Squish the 4 small dough balls together and roll lightly into 1 big ball. Roll in sugar; set on prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between cookies. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake until cookie edges start to turn golden brown, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, heat the milk, butter and chocolate until chocolate is melted (chocolate may appear curdled)., Combine sugar, flour and salt. Sprinkle over chocolate mixture (do not stir). Cover and continue to cook in a double boiler over medium-low heat, 20 minutes. With a wooden spoon, stir until smooth. Remove from the heat., Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and a thermometer reads 160°. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to dessert dishes., Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. If desired, top with whipped cream.

POTTED CHOCOLATE-MINT PUDDINGS

Steps:

• Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Combine cream, milk, and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup.
• Pour 1 cup cream mixture into sugar mixture, and whisk until cornstarch is dissolved. Add remaining cream mixture, and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and cook until thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and add chocolate. Whisk until chocolate melts, about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat. Add mint extract and butter, and whisk until butter melts. Quickly divide pudding, whisking as you work to prevent sides from setting up, among eight 4-ounce glasses or glass flowerpot votive candle holders, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top of each. Refrigerate until set, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Just before serving, pulse cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Top each pudding with 1 tablespoon ground-cookie "dirt," and garnish with a planted mint sprig. Serve chilled.

MINT CHOCOLATE PUDDING FUDGE RECIPE

Steps:

• Line 8-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Microwave 4 oz. chocolate, 6 Tbsp. butter and water in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Add peppermint extract and dry pudding mix; stir 2 min.
• Add sugar, 1 cup at a time, stirring after each addition until well blended. Pour into prepared pan; press into even layer with back of spatula.
• Microwave remaining butter and chocolate in large microwaveable bowl 1-1/2 min. or until butter is melted; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Pour over fudge layer in pan; spread to completely cover bottom layer. Top with remaining ingredients.
• Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Use foil handles to remove fudge from pan before cutting to serve.