Teeny Tiny Chocolate Cream Pies Food

MINI CHOCOLATE PIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Sift the flour and salt together into a large mixing bowl. Cut in the shortening thoroughly with a fork or pastry cutter. Stir in the water, starting with 4 tablespoons and adding up to a tablespoon more if the dough seems too dry.
• Gather the dough into a ball, then roll out onto a floured surface (rolling it slightly thinner than you would for a full-size pie crust). Cut 12 circles into the dough with a 4" circle cookie cutter.
• Press the dough circles into the cups of a 12-cup muffin tin. Prick the bottom and sides of the dough with a fork.Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, or until the dough is firm and lightly golden. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from the pan to cool on the wire rack completely.
• In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, mix the evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, cocoa powder, and flour. Cook, stirring until the mixture has thickened (about 12 minutes). Add the margarine and vanilla and stir until the margarine has melted and is thoroughly blended into the mixture. Remove from heat.
• Transfer the chocolate filling to a large liquid measuring cup and let cool for a few minutes so it is warm but not boiling hot. Pour into the baked pie crusts, filling the crusts as much as you can. Cool the mini pies on the counter for 30 minutes before transferring to the refrigerator to cool for at least two more hours.
• Once the pies are set, top with whipped topping and chocolate sprinkles. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

TOASTED POUND CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES AND CHOCOLATE CREAM

Steps:

• Beat the heavy cream and 1/4 cup chocolate syrup in a bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to use. Hull and chop all but 6 strawberries and toss them with the sugar in a separate bowl; set aside.
• Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on medium-high power in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Dip the 6 whole berries in the chocolate, then transfer to a sheet of parchment paper and let cool.
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the pound cake slices and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add the chopped strawberries and 1 tablespoon water and cook until juicy, about 2 minutes.
• Drizzle some chocolate syrup on each plate; top each with a piece of pound cake. Top with some of the chopped strawberries and their juices, a dollop of the chocolate whipped cream and a chocolate-covered strawberry.

BOOZY CHERRY-CHOCOLATE PIES

Steps:

• Whisk the sugar, rum, vanilla, orange zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until the sugar dissolves. Add the cherries and cornstarch and toss; set aside until juicy, about 30 minutes. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Place six 5-to-6-inch ceramic tart dishes on the prepared pan. Add 3/4 cup cherries to each dish using a slotted spoon; top each with 1 tablespoon butter and 2 teaspoons chocolate. Transfer the remaining cherry mixture to a saucepan; add 1/2 cup water and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Divide among the dishes; cool completely.
• Dust a surface with flour. Using a paring knife, cut out 6 circles from the piecrust, 1/2 inch bigger than the tart dishes (use the dishes as a guide). Place on another baking sheet; chill until ready to bake. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Top each dish with a piece of dough, pressing the edge against the dish to seal; pierce several times with a knife. Bake 45 minutes, then brush each pie with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. Continue baking until golden, about 15 more minutes. Serve with ice cream.