Best Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce Recipes

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE MOUSSE IN PHYLLO WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• On a work surface, stack phyllo sheets and cut out three 6-inch squares (6 total), discarding scraps. Stack phyllo squares between 2 sheets of wax paper and cover with a kitchen towel. Line each of two 1/2-cup muffin tins with 1 phyllo square, pressing gently into bottom, with edges overhanging top of tin. Repeat with remaining squares in same 2 tins, overlapping corners in different directions, but do not reposition phyllo once in tin (it may tear).
• Bake phyllo shells in middle of oven until edges are golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully transfer phyllo shells to a rack and cool completely. Phyllo shells may be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Make sauce:
• In a saucepan, simmer raspberries and granulated sugar, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes and stir in eau-de-vie or liqueur. In a blender, purée mixture until smooth and strain through a sieve into a heatproof bowl. Chill sauce, covered, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days.
• Make mousse:
• In a small saucepan whisk together granulated sugar and cornstarch and add water and egg, whisking until smooth. Bring mixture to a boil over moderate heat, whisking and simmer, whisking vigorously, 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate and eau-de-vie or liqueur, stirring until chocolate is melted. Transfer mixture to a metal bowl set in a bowl of ice and cold water and beat until cold and lightened in color. In a bowl, beat cream until it just holds stiff peaks and fold into chocolate mixture gently, but thoroughly. Chill mousse, covered, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days.
• To make chocolate curls:
• In a small metal bowl, set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, melt chocolate and on a baking sheet (not non-stick) spread it with a metal spatula as thinly and evenly as possible. Cool chocolate until firm to the touch but not hard. (Alternatively, chill chocolate on sheet in refrigerator; if it becomes too hard let it soften slightly at room temperature.) with a pastry scraper or metal spatula held at an angle, scrape chocolate slowly from sheet, letting it curl. Transfer curls carefully as formed to another baking sheet lined with wax paper. Chocolate curls may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered loosely. An ounce of chocolate yields enough chocolate curls to garnish 2 to 4 Servings.
• To serve:
• In a bowl, whisk cream until it just begins to thicken. Pour some raspberry sauce onto 2 dessert plates and dot with thickened cream. Pull point of a skewer or wooden pick through cream to form hearts. With a sieve, dust phyllo shells with confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder. Arrange phyllo shells on top of sauce and spoon about 1/3 cup mousse into each shell (do not overfill). Top mousse with chocolate curls.

CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM AND BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Butter and flour 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar; beat until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add dry ingredients in 3 additions, beating well after each addition. Fold in chocolate chips. Transfer batter to pan. Smooth top.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife between pan sides and cake; turn cake out onto rack. Cool. Wrap in foil; let stand at room temperature at least 1 day. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store wrapped in foil at room temperature.)
• Cut pound cake into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Place 1 cake slice on each of 10 plates. Spoon Sweetened Strawberries and scoop of ice cream alongside. Drizzle with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce and serve.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place double boiler (or a makeshift version) over medium heat and bring water to a simmer. Put sugar, cream, chocolate and butter in top part of double boiler. Let simmer, without stirring, for about 15 minutes, until cream is hot, sugar is dissolved and chocolate has completely melted.
• Add Grand Marnier and whisk until glossy and smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and keep warm. Sauce may be refrigerated for later use, but cool completely first, then reheat in a double boiler.

COSTA RICAN COFFEE PANNA COTTA WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE-RUM SAUCE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over 1/4 cup of dark rum and allow to soften for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together 1 1/4 cups of whipping cream, brown sugar, and espresso powder in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until brown sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, then whisk in gelatin mixture until dissolved.
• Whisk in the coconut milk, vanilla extract, and sour cream until smooth. Evenly divide the mixture between eight 3/4 cup custard cups or molds, cover each with plastic wrap, and chill at least 4 hours to overnight.
• Bring 3/4 cup whipping cream and corn syrup to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, remove from heat, and stir in the chocolate until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of rum and set aside.
• To serve, run a knife around the edge of each mold, then set each cup into a shallow bowl of hot water for 10 seconds to loosen. Invert the mold over a serving plate and remove the panna cotta. Spoon chocolate sauce around each panna cotta and garnish with a sprig of mint.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé WITH EARL GREY CUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Whisk egg yolks and 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl to blend well. Combine milk, cream, tea leaves, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into egg yolk mixture; return to same saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens enough to leave path on spoon when finger is drawn across, about 8 minutes (do not boil). Immediately strain sauce into small bowl. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• For soufflé:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously butter 6-cup soufflé dish; coat dish with sugar. Combine milk and 5 tablespoons sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and milk comes to simmer. Remove from heat; add both chocolates and stir until melted and smooth. Whisk in egg yolks.
• Using electric mixer, beat whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 3 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into warm chocolate mixture in 3 additions. Transfer mixture to prepared dish.
• Bake soufflé until just set in center and top is puffed and cracked all over, about 32 minutes. Serve soufflé immediately with custard sauce.

CHOCOLATE PROFITEROLES WITH COFFEE ICE CREAM AND BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the profiteroles:
• Into a bowl sift together the flour and the cocoa powder. In a small heavy saucepan combine the butter, the water, the granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Reduce the heat to moderate, add the flour mixture, and cook the mixture, beating it with a wooden spoon, until it pulls away from the side of the pan, forming a ball. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and with an electric mixer at high speed beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Drop the mixture by rounded tablespoons onto a buttered baking sheet, forming 12 mounds, baking the profiteroles in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are puffed and crisp, and let them cool on a rack. The profiteroles may be made 1 day in advance and kept in an airtight container. Reheat the profiteroles on a baking sheet in a preheated 375°F. oven for 5 minutes, or until they are crisp, and let them cool on the rack.
• Make the chocolate sauce:
• In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water melt the chocolate with the water and the cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth, and stir in the kahlûa. The sauce may be made 1 week in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated. Makes about 1 cup.
• With a serrated knife cut each profiterole in half crosswise, discard any uncooked dough from the centers, and sandwich a small scoop (about 1 1/2 inch in diameter) of the ice cream between the top and bottom of each profiterole. Sprinkle the profiteroles with the confectioners' sugar, pour about 1/4 cup of the sauce onto each of 4 dessert plates, and arrange 3 profiteroles on each plate.

CHESTNUT-ARMAGNAC SOUFFLé WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Blend chestnuts, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 tablespoon butter in processor until paste forms. Transfer mixture to small bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
• Coat inside of 14-cup soufflé dish (about 8 1/4 inches wide and 3 3/4 inches deep) with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle dish with 1/4 cup sugar and tilt to coat bottom and sides evenly.
• Whisk 1/4 cup milk, egg yolks, 4 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Bring remaining 13/4 cups milk and 4 tablespoons sugar to simmer in heavy large saucepan. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into yolk mixture. Return custard to same pan. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens and boils, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chestnut paste, Armagnac, and vanilla and whisk to blend well (some small pieces of chestnut paste will remain). DO AHEAD: Soufflé base can be made 2 hours ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface; let stand at room temperature.
• Position rack just below center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into soufflé base in 3 additions. Transfer batter to prepared dish. Place souffléon small baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead; let stand at room temperature. Bake soufflé until puffed and just firm to touch in center, about 50 minutes. Serve immediately with sauce.
• Peeled cooked chestnuts; sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

CHOCOLATE RAVIOLI IN BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pasta dough, sift the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl and whisk to blend. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and place the eggs in the well. Using a fork, slowly incorporate the eggs into the flour, until all the eggs have been absorbed. Transfer the dough to a work surface and, using the palm of your hand, lightly knead the dough for 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough is sticky, sprinkle a little flour on the kneading surface. The dough is ready if, when you make an impression in it with the tip of your finger, the dough bounces back. Shape into a disk and tightly wrap in plastic film. Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, make the pastry cream: In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and vanilla bean. Place over high heat and bring to a boil (be careful not to scorch the milk). Meanwhile, using a whisk, in a medium bowl, whip the sugar and egg yolks until pale yellow and frothy, about 2 minutes. Add the cornstarch and whisk to dissolve any lumps.
• Remove the vanilla bean from the milk and discard. Temper the egg yolk mixture by pouring a little of the steaming milk into the yolks, whisking to incorporate. Whisk the egg yolks into the remaining milk in the pan, set the pan over medium heat, and whisk quickly and constantly until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil, then whisk for another minute. Add the butter and stir until incorporated. Transfer the pastry cream to a storage container and place plastic wrap directly against the cream to prevent a skin from forming on top. Refrigerate until fully chilled, about 2 hours.
• Once the pastry cream has chilled, place the hazelnut chocolate in a microwave-safe container and microwave on high for 1 minute; or melt the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. Remove the chocolate from the microwave and stir. Heat the chocolate for another minute, remove, and stir to melt the remaining chocolate. Add to the pastry cream and stir to incorporate. Return to the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Divide the pasta dough into 4 pieces. Using a pasta machine, one at a time, roll out each piece from the widest to the thinnest setting. Keep the remaining dough covered to prevent it from drying out.
• To make the ravioli, dust a work surface with flour. Place one pasta sheet on the work surface. Starting about 2 inches from one end, place a teaspoon of filling every 4 inches down the pasta strip, ending about 2 inches from the other end of the strip. Brush the pasta dough with water, fold the dough over, and press to seal, being careful not to trap air inside the ravioli (or they will burst during cooking). Cut the ravioli into half-moons using a cookie cutter or pastry wheel. Press the edges together and squeeze to make the edges of the dough as thin as possible. Set the finished ravioli on a baking sheet lined with parchment and sprinkled with flour, to prevent sticking. Repeat with the remaining dough. You should get at least 24 ravioli. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
• For the sauce, bring the heavy cream, milk, and sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate, and stir until melted. Add the butter and stir to incorporate.
• To cook the ravioli, bring the water and sugar to a boil in a large pot and boil until the sugar has dissolved. Add the ravioli to the pot and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, gently reheat the chocolate sauce.
• To serve, remove the ravioli with a slotted spoon, letting the excess liquid drain, and arrange 4 ravioli on each plate. Drizzle the sauce over each plate. Serve immediately.

FROZEN NOUGAT TERRINE WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE AND RASPBERRY-FIG SAUCE

Steps:

• Line 9 x 5 x 2 3/4-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving overhang. Pour 1 tablespoon cold water into small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water (do not allow bottom of pan to touch water) until melted. Remove chocolate from over water.
• Whisk egg yolks, 2 tablespoons honey, Grand Marnier and 3 tablespoons water in large metal bowl to blend. Set over saucepan of gently boiling water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) and whisk until mixture thickens and thermometer registers 160°F, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over water; add gelatin mixture and whisk until dissolved.
• Stir remaining 1 tablespoon water and 4 tablespoons honey in small pan over low heat until honey dissolves. Increase heat and boil until candy thermometer reaches 220°F, tilting pan to submerge thermometer bulb, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat hot honey syrup into whites. Continue beating until whites are cool and very stiff, about 4 minutes. Fold white chocolate into yolk mixture; then fold whites into yolk mixture in 3 additions. Beat cream and vanilla in medium bowl until medium-firm peaks form. Fold cream and nuts into mousse. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; smooth top. Cover with plastic; freeze overnight. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.)
• Freeze oval platter 15 minutes. Uncover terrine. Place platter on pan. Invert terrine onto platter; peel off plastic. Spoon chocolate sauce onto center of plates. Slice terrine; place atop sauce. Spoon Raspberry-Fig Sauce over center of terrine slices and serve immediately.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE AND TOASTED ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• To make the cake, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/3 cup water and bring to a boil, stirring, over high heat. Meanwhile, combine the chocolates and the butter in a medium bowl. When the sugar mixture boils, pour it over the chocolates and stir until blended. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the 11/2 tablespoons sugar and the eggs. Using a mixer set at high speed, whip the eggs and sugar until the mixture falls back onto itself in a slowly dissolving ribbon-like pattern when the beater is lifted. Add 1/3 of the egg mixture to the chocolate mixture and fold in with a spatula to lighten. Fold in the remaining egg mixture.
• Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Spray 6 (6-ounce) ramekins or 6 (2 by 3-inch) loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and place them in a roasting pan just large enough to hold them. Divide the batter among the ramekins, place the roasting pan in the oven, and add enough water to the pan to come three-quarters of the way up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out with just a few crumbs sticking to it, about 30 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, combine the chocolate and cream and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is melted. Cool for at least 30 minutes.
• Bring cream and almonds to a boil and store refrigerated for 24 hours. Strain, add vanilla and whip.
• PLATING: Dust plates with cocoa. Invert the ramekins onto the plates and add a scoop of the almond cream to each. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake and cream, sprinkle with chocolate curls, if using, and serve.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE MARQUISE WITH CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• For marquise:
• Butter 8 1/2x5 1/2x3-inch glass loaf dish. Line dish smoothly with foil. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until smooth. Turn off heat. Using electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in 1/4 cup sugar, then cocoa powder.
• Whisk yolks, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup butter, and 1/4 cup sugar in metal bowl. Set over saucepan of simmering water (do not let bowl touch water). Whisk constantly until candy thermometer registers 160°F, about 6 minutes. Remove from over water. Using electric mixer, beat yolk mixture until thick and cool, about 5 minutes. Beat into cocoa mixture. Fold in warm chocolate and vanilla. Beat cream in another bowl until soft peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture; spread in prepared dish. Cover and chill until firm, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 4 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• For sauce:
• Stir all ingredients in medium saucepan over medium heat until sauce boils and thickens, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm before serving.)
• Turn marquise out onto platter; peel off foil. Cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Place 1 slice on each plate. Spoon warm cherry sauce over and serve immediately.

GRILLED BANANA SPLIT SUNDAE WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Build charcoal fire or preheat gas grill.
• Slice bananas in 1/2 lengthwise and crosswise so each banana yields 4 pieces. Set aside. Mix the sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle on cut sides of bananas. Let bananas sit for 5 minutes.
• Place bananas cut-side down on a clean cooking grate over direct low heat. Cook for 2 minutes or until grill marks appear. Using a pair of long-handled tongs, turn over and let cook 5 more minutes or until the skin pulls away from the banana.
• Remove skins from banana halves and place 4 banana halves in the bottom of each serving bowl. Top each serving with 2 scoops of ice cream. Ladle about 1/4 cup of heated chocolate sauce over each sundae¿let your taste determine the quantity here, add just a touch for a hint of chocolate or pour it on for a serious chocolate fix. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of chopped nuts, top with whipped cream, and place a cherry or strawberry on top.
• Make the chocolate sauce up to 2 days in advance. Place chocolate in a medium size metal mixing bowl. Heat cream to almost boiling, add butter and sugar and stir to combine. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Whisk vigorously until melted, and well combined. Add liqueur and vanilla and stir constantly until mixture is cool the touch. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside or refrigerate up to 2 days. Warm before serving.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE WITH WHITE TRUFFLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 275°F. Lightly grease bottom and side of 9-inch springform pan. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy. Beat in flour. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in chocolate. Pour into pan.
• Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes or until center is set. (Do not insert a knife because the hole could cause cheesecake to crack.) Cool at room temperature 15 minutes.
• Run knife around side of pan to loosen cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate about 3 hours or until chilled.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt white chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring constantly (mixture will be thick and grainy); remove from heat. Stir in whipping cream until smooth. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.
• Run knife around side of pan to loosen cheesecake; remove side of pan. Let cheesecake stand at room temperature 15 minutes before cutting. Serve cheesecake with sauce and berries. Store in refrigerator.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl, set over a saucepan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until well combined, and serve. (or store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to a week, and warm before serving).

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and cocoa in a heavy bottomed medium saucepan. Whisk in just enough buttermilk to form a smooth paste. Whisk in the remaining buttermilk. Cook over medium heat until the mixture simmers and begins to boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, scraping the sides and bottom of the pan. Boil gently for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Sauce may be stored in the refrigerator up to one week.
• NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER 2 TABLESPOONS OF SAUCE: 66 calories; 1.2 g fat (14 percent calories from fat); 1.5 grams protein; 15.2 g carbohydrates; .5 mg cholesterol

CARAMELIZED-BANANA TARTLETS WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Using electric mixer, beat first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Add flour; beat until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Press 1 piece evenly onto bottom and up sides of each of six 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pans with removable bottoms. Bake crusts until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Cool crusts completely in pans on rack. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.)
• For filling:
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beginning to brown. Add half of bananas to skillet in single layer; cook until bananas brown on bottom, about 45 seconds. Using thin spatula, turn slices over; sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar evenly over bananas. Cook until sugar dissolves and turns golden, occasionally swirling pan, about 3 minutes. Turn banana slices over; add 3 tablespoons warm water and continue cooking until caramel thickens slightly, swirling pan, about 2 minutes. Arrange banana slices in each of 3 tartlet crusts; spoon any caramel from skillet over. Clean skillet, then repeat procedure with remaining butter, bananas, sugar, and water. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature. Warm in 350°F oven 10 minutes before continuing recipe.)
• Top each tartlet with scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle each tartlet with Bittersweet Chocolate-Port Sauce and serve.

FROZEN MILKY WAY MOUSSE WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• For Sauce: Combine whipping cream, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder and unsalted butter in heavy medium sauce-pan. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until butter melts and sugar and cocoa dissolve. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract and instant coffee powder. Cool sauce. (can be prepared 1 week ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) For mousse: Line 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Combine Milky Way pieces, semisweet chocolate and unsalted butter in large heatproof bowl set over pan of simmering water. Stir constantly until melted (mixture will look grainy). Remove bowl from over water and cool mixture slightly. Combine sugar and water in heavy small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil syrup until temperature reaches 230 degrees on candy thermometer. Meanwhile, beat egg whites and cream of tartar to soft peaks in bolw. Gradually pour boiling syrup into egg whites, beating until stiff peaks form and whites are cool, about 5 minutes. Using rubber spatula, fold whites into chocolate mixture in 2 additions. Spoon mousse into prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.) Heat sauce to lukewarm over low heat. Remove plastic wrap from top of mousse. Invert mousse onto platter. Remove pan and peel off parchment paper. Slice mousse crosswise into 12 slices. Cut each slice diagonally into 2 triangles. For each serving, arrange 2 mousse triangles on plate; spoon warm chocolate sauce over and around mousse and serve.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring cream and corn syrup to simmer in large saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until melted and smooth. Let stand until slightly cooled and thickened, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill. Stir over low heat until just warm before serving.)

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine cream, milk, water, cocoa powder, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking until cocoa powder is completely dissolved.
• Remove from heat and add chocolate, butter, and vanilla, stirring until chocolate is melted and sauce is smooth.
• Serve warm.
• NOTE: To reheat, cover it and microwave for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir until completely melted.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate and butter in medium metal bowl. Place bowl over saucepan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Remove from over water.
• Bring cream to simmer in small saucepan; gently stir into chocolate. Add Armagnac, vanilla, and salt and stir to blend. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool, cover, and chill. Rewarm over low heat before using.