Best Chocolate Bombe Recipes

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BOMBE

Steps:

• Line a 1 1/2 quart glass or stainless bowl with plastic wrap, leaving enough excess hanging over the edge, and stick it in the freezer.
• In a medium pot, combine the cherries, 1 cup of sugar, lemon juice, kirsch, and 3/4 cup of water. Simmer over medium-high heat until the juice from the cherries is released and the fruit is soft, about 20 minutes. Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry and add it to the cherry mixture. Simmer, stirring, for another 2 minutes to thicken. Remove the cherry sauce from the heat, you should have about 4 cups. Put the cherry sauce in the freezer or in an ice bath to chill until cold.
• Using a wire whisk, beat 2 cups of the heavy cream, the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, and vanilla together until soft peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold the whipped cream into half of the cherry mixture (2 cups) to make a light mousse - don't overdo it, it's ok if there are streaks of cream in the filling. Gently fold in the pistachios. Take the plastic-lined bowl out of the freezer and spoon the cherry mousse into it, filling it all the way to the top, and spreading evenly around the rim. Freeze again for at least 8 hours, so the mousse sets up firm.
• Heat the remaining 1 cup of cream and the chocolate in a pot over medium-low flame. Stir to melt the chocolate completely and smooth it out into the cream. Cool until warm to the touch, the chocolate should still be pourable.
• Take the bowl of cherry mousse out of the freezer and invert it, bottom-side up, on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Carefully peel off the plastic and pour the chocolate ganache over the bombe to cover it completely, allowing the excess to drip down into the sheet pan. Stick the chocolate cherry bombe back in the freezer to chill. Using a couple of flat spatulas, carefully remove the bombe from the rack and put in on a chilled platter. Cut into wedges; serve with the reserved cherry sauce.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BOMBE

Steps:

• Line bowl with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang all around.
• Stir walnuts and chocolate cookies into cherry ice cream in another bowl. Transfer ice cream to lined bowl and spread evenly over bottom and up sides, leaving a crater in center. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.
• Scoop chocolate ice cream into crater in cherry ice cream, then smooth top with an offset spatula. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, melt chocolate with butter and oil in a heatproof medium bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• Invert bombe onto a rack set over a baking sheet and remove plastic wrap. Make a small indentation in top and place maraschino cherry into ice cream so that the cherry is submerged but stem sticks straight up (like a fuse).
• Ladle chocolate sauce on top of bombe (avoiding cherry stem), letting it drip over sides to coat thoroughly. Freeze until chocolate coating is set, about 30 minutes.
• To serve, cut into wedges.

HAZELNUT, COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM BOMBE

Steps:

• Turn out the brownie onto a work surface and peel away the parchment paper. Place a 2-quart bombe mold or metal mixing bowl on top of the brownie and using a knife, cut out the shape of the mold. Crumble the trimmings into a bowl to use as garnish on the final bombe. Wrap and set aside the large brownie for final assembly.
• Lightly coat the bombe mold or metal mixing bowl with vegetable oil. Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Meanwhile, soften the Coffee Ice Cream in the refrigerator (but do not let melt).
• Remove the mold from the freezer. Using a rubber spatula, quickly spread an even, thick layer of the softened Coffee Ice Cream over the mold to within about 1 1/2 inches of the top. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing to seal the ice cream against the mold and remove any air pockets. Return to the freezer to harden. Meanwhile, soften the Hazelnut Ice Cream in the refrigerator (but do not allow to melt).
• Remove the mold from the freezer. With a spatula, fill the center of the mold with the softened Hazelnut Ice Cream, leaving a 1 1/2-inch space along the top to place the brownie cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and return to the freezer to harden slightly.
• Remove the mold from the freezer and while the Hazelnut Ice Cream is still slightly soft, press the brownie onto the ice cream to form a base. Wrap in plastic and return to the freezer to harden completely, at least 4 hours.
• To make the sweetened whipped cream, in a bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups of the cream with an electric mixer at medium speed until it thickens and starts to hold soft peaks. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue beating until the cream holds peaks, being careful not to overbeat. Refrigerate while assembling the other ingredients.
• To make the Hazelnut Chocolate Sauce, in a medium saucepan, bring the remaining 1 cup of cream and Frangelico to a gentle boil. Remove from the heat. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl and pour the warm cream mixture over it. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until melted and well blended. Whisk in the hazelnuts.
• Remove the bombe from the freezer. To unmold, dip in a pan or sink of warm water. Invert onto a platter or cake plate and carefully remove the mold. (If the ice cream has softened a great deal, return to the freezer to harden.)
• To serve the bombe, spread an even layer of sweetened whipped cream over the bombe and drizzle with the chocolate sauce. Crumble the reserved brownie crumbs over the top and present tableside.
• To serve, cut with a sharp knife that has been dipped in hot water and wiped with a clean cloth before slicing each piece. Serve immediately.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a 9-inch round baking pan. Line with parchment paper and lightly grease and flour the paper and sides of the pan, shaking to remove any excess. Set aside.
• In a saucepan over low heat, melt together the butter and chocolate, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve and until smooth. Remove from the heat and pour into a medium bowl. Add the flour and eggs in 2 additions, alternating, and whisking well after each to combine. Add the vanilla and mix well. Pour into the prepared pan and rap the bottom of the pan lightly against the countertop. Bake until the brownies are set and have risen, and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the skins are cracked and the nuts (under the skins) are deeply golden brown. Place the nuts in a towel and rub them to remove most of the skins. Cool completely.
• Combine the cream and 1 cup of the milk in a large heavy saucepan. Scrape the vanilla seeds into the cream mixture and add the bean and the hazelnuts. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
• Whisk the yolks and sugar in a medium bowl. In a slow, steady stream, whisk 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture. Gradually whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof medium bowl.
• Discard the vanilla bean, remove the nuts and rinse in a strainer under cold running water; pat dry on paper towels. On a work surface, crush the nuts with a meat mallet or rolling pin, and stir into the custard. Stir in the remaining 1 cup milk and the liqueur. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap against the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours.
• Pour the chilled custard into the bowl of an ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place in a plastic container, cover tightly, and freeze until ready to use.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and coffee. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat.
• In a medium bowl, beat the yolks with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar until the yolks are thick and light yellow in color, about 3 minutes.
• Temper the eggs by adding about 1 cup of the warm milk mixture to the eggs, whisking to combine. Gradually add the egg mixture in a slow, steady stream, to the remaining hot milk. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours.
• Pour the custard into the bowl of an ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place in a plastic container, tightly cover, and freeze until ready to use.

CHOCOLATE BOMBE

Steps:

• Line a 1-qt. round bowl with plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Quickly spread ice cream over the bottom and up the sides to within 1/2 in. of the top of bowl. Freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm. , In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup cream, sugar, egg yolks and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture reaches at least 160° and coats the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and rum extract if desired. Refrigerate until cooled., Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate in water at 50% power for 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Gradually whisk into custard mixture. Beat remaining cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture along with dates and nuts. Spoon into ice cream shell, spreading to completely cover the top. Cover and freeze overnight., Just before serving, remove from the freezer and invert onto a serving plate. Remove bowl and plastic wrap. Cut into wedges.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE: à LA PâTE à BOMBE

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie (double boiler). Don't let any water get into the chocolate! *Heat your chocolate in a bain-marie to around 120 F (50 C). If it's not hot enough, the chocolate will harden when you attempt to mix it with the pâte à bombe.*
• Whip your cream until thick, then seal it airtight by pressing the plastic wrap against the cream. Pop it in the fridge.
• Make your pâte à bombe. a. Add your eggs to the bowl of your stand mixer. Set to low speed. b. Separately, make a syrup by bringing the water and sugar to 250 F (121 C) using your thermometer. c. Pour the hot syrup in a thin stream over the beaten eggs and set mixer to high speed until the mixture comes to room temperature.
• Take a deep breath. You should have three components: the melted chocolate, the whipped cream, the pâte à bombe.
• Pour the chocolate into the pâte à bombe. Mix with your rubber spatula in an upward motion, from the center out, until the texture is smooth and homogenous.
• Add the whipped cream to the chocolaty batter in two parts, stirring gently and constantly. *Your chocolate shouldn't be too hot when you mix it with the whipped cream. If it is, your cream might lose it's firmness.*
• Your mousse is ready! You can now build your entremets.

MACADAMIA NUT AND BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE ICE-CREAM BOMBE WITH MACADAMIA NUT PRALINE

Steps:

• Make the macadamia nut ice cream:
• In a heavy skillet melt the butter over moderate heat and in it cook the macadamia nuts, stirring, until they are light golden. Transfer the nuts with a slotted spoon to a small bowl, reserving the butter, and let them cool. In a large metal bowl whisk together the eggs, the sugars, the cream, the milk, the salt, and the reserved melted butter, transfer the mixture to a large saucepan, and cook it over moderately low heat, stirring until it registers 175°F. on a candy thermometer. Return the mixture to the metal bowl, cleaned, and chill it until it is cold. Freeze the mixture in an ice-cream freezer according the manufacturer's instructions, adding the macadamia nuts, patted dry, when it is frozen partially. Makes about 1 quart.
• Make the ganache:
• In a saucepan combine the chocolate and the cream, bring the cream just to a boil, stirring, and remove the pan from the heat. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and stir in the Kahlúa. Transfer the ganache to a metal bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
• Make the chocolate ice cream:
• In a small bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water melt the chocolate, stirring, until it is smooth. In a large saucepan whisk together the melted chocolate, the cream, the milk, the eggs, the sugar, and a pinch of salt and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, until it registers 175°:F. on a candy thermometer. Stir in the vanilla and stir the mixture until it is combined well. Chill the mixture, its surface covered with plastic wrap, until it is cold. Freeze the mixture in an ice-cream freezer according the manufacturer's instructions. Makes about 1 quart.
• Make the macadamia nut praline:
• In a heavy saucepan combine the sugar with 1/3 cup water, bring the mixture to a boil over moderately high heat, stirring and washing down any sugar crystals clinging to the side of the pan with a brush dipped in cold water until the sugar is dissolved, and cook the syrup, swirling the pan gently, until it turns pale golden. Stir in the macadamia nuts, return the syrup to a boil, and boil the mixture until the syrup is golden. Pour the praline immediately onto an oiled baking sheet and let it cool completely. Break the praline into pieces and in a food processor grind it fine in batches .
• Line a lightly oiled 2-quart steamed-pudding mold, including the center stem, or a 2-quart metal bowl with plastic wrap, into it pack the macadamia nut ice cream, and spread the ganache over the top. Freeze the mold for 5 minutes, or until the ganache is set. Pack the bittersweet chocolate ice cream into the mold, cover the mold with the lid or plastic wrap, and freeze the bombe for at least 8 hours and up to 3 days.
• In a heavy saucepan combine the sugar with 1/3 cup water, bring the mixture to a boil over moderately high heat, stirring and washing down any sugar crystals clinging to the side of the pan with a brush dipped in cold water until the sugar is dissolved, and cook the syrup, swirling the pan gently, until it turns pale golden. Pour the mixture immediately onto an oiled baking sheet and let it cool completely. Break the sugar candy into small pieces.
• To unmold the bombe, dip the mold several times into a bowl of warm water, run a long thin knife around the outer rim of the mold and the rim of the center stem, and invert the bombe onto a platter, Coat the bombe with the ground macadamia nut praline.The bombe may be made 3 hours in advance and dept frozen. Garnish the top of the bombe and the platter with the sugar-candy.

VALENTINE CHOCOLATE-CHERRY ICE CREAM BOMBE

Steps:

• Stir first 3 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk in brandy. Cool.
• Line 10-inch-diameter, 10-cup metal bowl with plastic wrap, extending over sides. Spread cherry-vanilla ice cream over inside of bowl to within 3/4 inch of top edge, leaving center 6-inch-diameter hollow. Freeze 30 minutes. Fill hollow completely with sorbet; smooth top. Overlap half of cookies (about 22) atop ice cream and sorbet, covering completely and pressing gently. Spread 1* cups fudge sauce over cookies. Overlap remaining cookies atop sauce. Cover; freeze bombe overnight. Cover and chill remaining sauce. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep bombe frozen. Keep sauce chilled.)
• Rewarm remaining sauce over low heat, stirring often. Turn bombe out onto platter. Peel off plastic. Cut bombe into wedges. Serve with remaining sauce.

CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY BOMBE

Steps:

• Grease and flour three (8- or 9-in.) round baking pans; set aside. Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions. Divide evenly and pour into prepared pans. , Bake at 350° for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., Reserve 6-7 strawberries for garnish. Puree enough remaining strawberries to measure 1 cup; set aside. In a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle gelatin over juice concentrate; let stand 5 minutes. Microwave on high power 1 minute. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved; set aside. In a small bowl, beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream until stiff; set aside., To prepare filling, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in strawberry puree. Gradually add gelatin mixture; blend until smooth. Gradually whisk in whipped cream; set aside., Line a 12-cup capacity bowl with 2-3 long sheets of plastic wrap, allowing ends of plastic to over-hang edges by at least 6 inches. (Diameter at top of bowl must be 8-1/2 or 9-1/2 inches, depending on size of baking pan.), Gently press one cake layer into bottom of prepared bowl. , Spoon about one-half of filling over cake layer in bowl; top with second cake layer. Gently press down on cake layer. Spread remaining filling over cake. Top with remaining cake layer. Gently press down. Cover cake with loose ends of plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour., In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar and remaining 2 cups heavy whipping cream until stiff. Uncover top of bombe in bowl. Invert onto serving platter; remove and discard plastic wrap. Frost bombe with sweetened whipped cream., In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and oil; stir until smooth. Transfer to a heavy-duty small resealable plastic bat. Cut a tiny hole in bottom corner of bag. Gently squeeze bag and drizzle chocolate over bombe. Garnish as desired with reserved strawberries.

CHRISTMAS BOMBE WITH SPICED CAKE AND CHOCOLATE-BRANDY GLAZE

Steps:

• Make the mousse:
• Spray a large bowl (at least 12-cup capacity; the stainless steel bowl of a stand mixer is perfect) with nonstick spray, then line with plastic wrap, leaving a generous overhang.
• Heat corn syrup, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over low until sugar is melted. Increase heat to medium and cook until an instant-read thermometer registers 240°F, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed (or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Reduce mixer speed to low and carefully add sugar syrup to egg whites in a slow and steady stream. Increase speed to high and beat until mixture is light, glossy, and fluffy, 6-8 minutes.
• Using electric mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese in another large bowl until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add heavy cream, milk, vanilla, and salt and beat until smooth.
• Whisk one-third of meringue into cream cheese mixture to lighten. Gently fold remaining meringue into cream cheese mixture. Fold in apricots, cherries, and pistachios.
• Pour mixture into prepared bowl, smooth top, then bring plastic up and over bombe, pressing against bottom of bowl to compact. Freeze until hard, at least 12 hours.
• Make the cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat cake pan with nonstick spray. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; lightly coat parchment with nonstick spray.
• Heat butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a medium saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water), stirring, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Using electric mixer on medium speed, beat eggs and sugar in another large bowl until pale and tripled in volume, 10-12 minutes.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, orange zest, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk dry ingredients into chocolate mixture until well combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold about one-third of egg mixture into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold chocolate mixture into remaining egg mixture until combined.
• Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth surface. Bake cake until center is set and sides are beginning to brown, 45-50 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cake cool completely in pan (cake will sink a little in the center as it cools).
• Make glaze and assemble:
• Trim cake board to fit inside bowl with mousse (slightly smaller than diameter of bowl). Remove cake from pan and trim to flatten top, then trim to size of cake board. Place cake on board, then place board on a wire rack set on a sheet tray.
• Rub bowl with a very hot, wet towel to defrost slightly; remove plastic wrap from top of bowl. Invert bowl upside down on top of cake. Using plastic, gently pull so mousse comes free; adjust to center mousse on cake, if needed. Peel off plastic.
• Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat cream in a small pot over medium until hot but not boiling. Pour over chocolate, let sit 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Add salt and brandy (if using) and stir to combine.
• Spoon glaze over bombe, letting it drip over sides to coat thoroughly.
• Transfer bombe to a platter. Cut into wedges with a hot dry knife (run knife under hot water and wipe dry between slices).
• Do Ahead
• Mousse bombe can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen. Cake can be baked 1 day ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

MOZARTBOMBE (CHOCOLATE CHERRY BOMBE)

Steps:

• To make the cake, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 6-cup bombe mold or metal bowl and coat it with the bread crumbs. Set aside.
• Place the eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt and lemon zest in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over hot water and whisk constantly until light and creamy. Remove from heat and continue whisking until cool.
• Fold in the flour and gently stir in the butter. Scrape the batter into the prepared mold and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool.
• To make the filling, coarsely chop the cherries. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the cherry syrup. Place the remaining syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce by half, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the cornstarch mixture and boil 1 minute more. Stir in the rum and cherries. Let cool completely. Whip the cream to stiff peaks, setting aside 1/2 cup.
• To assemble, unmold the cake and use a serrated knife to cut it into 5 horizontal layers. Place the small cake layer with the rounded side back into the mold. Spoon some of the cherries and syrup over the cake and spread with some of the whipped cream.
• Continue putting the cake back together, filling with the cherry mixture and whipped cream between each layer. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• To make the glaze, bring the cream to a boil, remove from heat, add the chocolate and stir until melted. Cut out a round piece of heavy cardboard to fit the diameter of the cake. Dip the mold into hot water and invert the bombe onto the cardboard. Use the reserved whipped cream to spread a very thin layer over the outside of the bombe. Place in the freezer just until the cream is quite firm.
• Place the bombe on a rack and ladle the chocolate glaze over it so that it's well covered. Place the bombe, with the cardboard, on a serving plate and use the sliced almonds to make a 2-inch border along the bottom of the bombe, hiding the cardboard. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

RIPPLED CHOCOLATE BOMBE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 3/fan oven 140C. Grease a 1.7 litre/3 pint stainless steel mixing bowl and line the base (approx 9cm/31⁄2in) with a circle of greaseproof paper.
• Break the chocolate into pieces in a heatproof bowl. Add 25g/1oz of the butter and stand the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water until the chocolate has melted (or melt it in the microwave). Stir until smooth.
• Put the remaining butter in a separate bowl with the sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder and 85g/3oz of the almonds. Beat together for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Spoon 350g/12oz of this mixture into another bowl and stir in the cocoa powder and milk. Stir the remaining almonds and the vanilla extract into the remaining plain cake mixture.
• Spread a little of the vanilla mixture in the base of the bowl. Top with a spoonful of the cocoa mixture, then a little of the chocolate sauce, taking care not to let the chocolate sauce get near the edge of the bowl or it will burn during baking. Continue to alternate the three mixtures in the bowl, placing large spoonfuls in at random and spreading them slightly to mix up the colours. Level the surface, then swirl a skewer or the end of a teaspoon through the mixture, two or three times, to ripple the colours together. Don't overmix or the colours will lose their definition.
• Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes until the cake is risen and the surface feels firm to the touch. To check that the cake is done, pierce the light part of the cake with a skewer - it should come out clean. Leave to cool in the bowl, then loosen the edges and invert the cake on to a flat serving plate.
• Make the chocolate cream. Heat the cream in a small heavybased saucepan until hot and beginning to bubble round the edges. Add the chocolate pieces and remove from the heat, stirring gently. Pour into a bowl and leave until the chocolate has melted. Chill for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture just holds its shape when beaten.
• Using a palette knife, swirl the chocolate cream over the top and sides of the cake. Slice the candied fruits and use to decorate the top of the cake. Keep in a cool place (not the fridge) until ready to serve. This is a luxurious dessert, so serve thin slivers with a dollop of crème fraîche to cut through the richness.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE BOMBE

Steps:

• Line a 6 cup (1. 5 L) mixing bowl with plastic wrap and drizzle inner surface with melted chocolate (criss-cross thin lines); freeze
• WHITE MOUSSE: In a saucepan sprinkle gelatine over cream. Let stand 5 minutes.
• Bring cream to a boil; remove from heat.
• Add white chocolate and butter; stir until melted.
• Blend in egg yolks.
• Beat egg whites until frothy; gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
• Fold into chocolate mixture; pour into prepared bowl.
• Freeze 30 minutes.
• DARK MOUSSE: Prepare the dark mousse layer following the white mousse directions, omitting gelatine step.
• Freeze until set, at least 8 hours.
• Unmould onto serving plate, remove plastic wrap.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BOMBE RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Steps:

• Line bowl with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang all around. Stir walnuts and chocolate cookies into cherry ice cream in another bowl. Transfer ice cream to lined bowl and spread evenly over bottom and up sides, leaving a crater in center. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes. Scoop chocolate ice cream into crater in cherry ice cream, then smooth top with an offset spatula. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, melt chocolate with butter and oil in a heatproof medium bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Invert bombe onto a rack set over a baking sheet and remove plastic wrap. Make a small indentation in top and place maraschino cherry into ice cream so that the cherry is submerged but stem sticks straight up (like a fuse). Ladle chocolate sauce on top of bombe (avoiding cherry stem), letting it drip over sides to coat thoroughly. Freeze until chocolate coating is set, about 30 minutes. To serve, cut into wedges.

COCOA-DUSTED DARK CHOCOLATE BOMBE

Steps:

• For the Chocolate Ganache Frosting
• In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and sugar and bring to a simmer. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and pour the hot cream mixture over the top. Rest for 1 minute, then whisk together until smooth.Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish and cover the surface with plastic wrap. Cool at room temperature until the ganache thickens to a frosting consistency.
• For the Chocolate Syrup
• In a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and 3/4 cup water to a simmer. Remove from the heat and, using a hand blender, puree in the chocolate until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• For the Chocolate Genoise Cake
• Preheat the oven to 320°F. Grease the inside of a 3-quart stainless steel bowl with nonstick cooking spray and lightly coat with flour.
• Fill one-third of a medium saucepan with water and bring to a simmer. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk to combine the eggs, yolk, and sugar. Set the bowl over the pot of simmering water. Continue whisking until the temperature of the mixture reaches 140°F. Remove from the heat and place the bowl on the mixer fit with a whisk attachment. Whip at medium-high speed until it cools to room temperature and forms ribbons as it falls from the whisk, about 5 minutes.
• Sift the cocoa powder and the 1 1/2 cups flour together into a medium bowl. With a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture in 3 additions, until no streaks remain.
• Fold in the milk and melted butter until just combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared 3-quart stainless steel bowl.
• Place the bowl on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake for 1 hour, and check the cake by inserting a cake tester into the center. Once the tester comes out clean, remove from the oven and immediately invert the cake onto a cooling rack.
• Once cooled, use a serrated knife to divide the cake into 3 even layers and set them on the rack. Brush each layer with about 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup per side to moisten.
• Frost the top of the 2 bottom layers with enough ganache to equal the thickness of the cake layers. Stack the layers back together and frost the outside of the cake with the remaining ganache.
• For the Chocolate Ribbons
• Pour about 1/2 cup of chocolate onto a flat marble, glass, or stainless steel surface. Spread it into a 1-millimeter-thick rectangle, about 2 feet long by 6 inches wide. Allow the chocolate to set for 5 minutes, or until it is no longer liquid or shiny yet is still slightly soft. With a straight-edged stainless steel spatula held at a 45-degree angle, scrape the chocolate widthwise to form wavy ribbons. Transfer the ribbons to a tray and repeat the process until all the chocolate is used. Decorate the cake with the ribbons.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BOMBE

Steps:

• 1. coat 12 cup bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Line with plastic wrap, extending wrap over sides by at least the width of the bowl.
• 2. Cut carton off chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Cut ice cream in 3/4 inch thick rounds. place slices in bowl to cover bottom and to 1 inch from top, cutting slices to fit. With spatula, fill in gaps. Freeze 20 minutes or until firm. Meanwhile, refrigerate dulce de Leche ice cream to soften slightly.
• 3. Cut candy bars into 1/4 inch thick slices, for a total of 1 cup. With potato masher or large spoon stir dolce de Leche ice cream to soften evenly. Stir in candy. Spoon ice cream into bowl. Spread level. Sprinkle crushed cookie crumbs over top. Press into ice cream. Fold plastic wrap over ice cream to cover. Freeze bombe overnight or up to two weeks.
• 4. Up to one day ahead, cut cardboard or paper plates to fit on crumbs. Invert bombe and cardboard together onto wire rack over rimmed baking sheet. Remove bowl and plastic wrap. Quickly smooth wrinkles. If ice cream starts to melt, refreeze before coating. Pour most of shell coating over bombe. Use spatula to spread evenly. Transfer bombe to plate, and drizzle with remaining shell coating, freeze until serving. Makes 16 servings

CHOCOLATE CAKE BOMBE

Steps:

• Thinly slice pound cake, diagonally cut each piece in half.
• Line 1 ½ quart bowl with plastic wrap or strips of waxed paper, then line with cake pieces, trimming as necessary to line bowl completely.
• Sprinkle cake with liqueur.
• Set aside remaining cake pieces.
• Whip the cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
• Fold melted chocolate into half of the whipped cream and spoon mixture into cake-like bowl.
• Fold pecans and cherries into remaining whipped cream, spoon into bowl over chocolate mixture.
• Cover completely with remaining cake pieces.
• Freeze until firm about 4 hours.
• In saucepan, melt 3 squares chocolate with the butter over very low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
• Cool slightly.
• Invert frozen cake onto serving plate.
• Remove plastic wrap and spread chocolate evenly over cake.
• Freeze about 10 minutes or until chocolate is firm.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE BOMBE ALASKA WITH HOT CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• First make the cake: heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Lightly butter a Swiss roll tin and line the base with non-stick baking parchment. Put the whole eggs, egg yolks and caster sugar in a bowl and whisk with an electric hand whisk for 8-10 mins until light and fluffy. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of almost simmering water, stirring occasionally.
• When the whisked egg mixture is light and fluffy, gently fold in the flour with a large metal spoon or the whisk blades, taking care not to lose too much volume. Beat a small amount of the egg mixture into the melted chocolate, then gently fold the chocolate into the remaining egg mixture. Pour into the prepared tin, then tilt the tin from side to side until even and the corners are filled. Bake for 10 mins until firm, then leave to cool completely.
• Line a 1-litre freezer-proof pudding basin with cling film. Cut a small circle of sponge cake to fit the base then cut triangular pieces to line the sides. Fill any gaps with trimmings and save the remaining sponge for later. Place the bowl in the freezer to firm up the sponge.
• Make the ice cream: slice the vanilla pod in half lengthways and remove the seeds. Put the milk, vanilla seeds and pod, orange zest, caster sugar and cream into a medium pan and bring to the boil. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks together in a large bowl. Pour the hot cream mixture slowly on to the eggs, whisking all the time. Return the mix to a clean pan and stir constantly over a gentle heat for about 5 mins until the mixture has just thickened. Pass through a sieve and leave to cool for 30 mins. Churn in an ice-cream machine (or make by hand, see 'Try' below). Add the marmalade and continue to churn for another 10 mins until thick.
• Scoop the ice cream into the cake-lined bowl, leaving a central indent for the sorbet layer. Sit a small bowl in the top of the ice cream to make a smooth indent for the sorbet later to sit in. Freeze for at least 1 hr, until just firm.
• Fill the centre of the bombe with orange sorbet, cover the entire base of the bowl with a layer of sponge, cover with cling film and return to the freezer until needed, or at least 8 hrs ahead. This can be done well in advance and that's all the really hard work done.
• To make the hot chocolate sauce, grate the chocolate into a bowl and add the golden syrup, butter and warm water. Melt over a pan of just simmering water until melted, stirring occasionally.
• About 20 mins before serving, heat oven to 230C/fan 210C/gas 8. Whisk the egg whites and a pinch of salt in a large clean bowl until stiff but not dry. Whisk in the sugar, a little at a time, bringing it back to stiff peaks before each addition. Turn the bombe out onto an ovenproof serving dish and remove the cling film. Spoon the meringue all over the bombe to completely seal it. Using the back of the spoon or a palette knife, pull the meringue into dramatic swirls. Bake for 10-15 mins or until golden. Reheat the chocolate sauce over a pan as before or in a microwaveable bowl for 1 min on Low, stirring halfway through. Take the Chocolate orange bombe Alaska to the table immediately and serve sliced, drizzled with the hot chocolate sauce.

FROZEN CARAMELIZED BANANA AND CHOCOLATE BOMBE

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the bananas and cook, stirring for 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the liqueur and rum. Return the pan to the stove and carefully ignite the alcohol and shake the pan until the flames die down, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
• Place the softened ice cream into a large bowl. With a wooden spoon, mix in the cooled banana mixture.
• To assemble: Line 1 cup molds with plastic wrap. Spread 3/4 cup of the ice cream over the bottom and sides of the molds. Spoon 1/4 cup of the chocolate mousse in the center of the mold. Fill the mold with the remaining ice cream. Wrap the molds in plastic wrap and freeze until firm.
• For the garnish: In a saute pan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Cook the sugar mixture for 1 minute. Add the bananas and continue to cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• To serve, drizzle each plate with the chocolate sauce. Unmold the bombes and place in the center of each plate. Spoon the banana mixture over each bombe and serve immediately.
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan, over medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the chocolate melts completely, whisking occasionally. Remove from the heat, pour into a glass bowl and cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled. In an electric mixer with a wire whip, beat until the cream forms firm peaks.
• Combine the half-and-half and butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Heat the mixture until a thin paper-like skin appears on the top. Do not boil. Add the chocolate and vanilla and stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool.

CHOCOLATE, GINGER & PRALINE BOMBE

Steps:

• Take a large food bag, cut down one side and along the base, then open out. Use to line a 1-litre pudding basin. Tip the contents of the jar of conserve into a large bowl, then stir to break it down. Using a large sharp knife, shave 50g of the chocolate into shards, then reserve. Measure 450ml of the cream into a bowl, then whip until it just holds its shape. Fold the cream into the ginger conserve using a large spoon until the cream is evenly flecked with ginger, then gently fold in the shaved chocolate.
• Spoon the cream mixture into the lined bowl and smooth the top. Freeze for at least 4 hrs, or overnight is better, until the ice cream is firm. Line a wooden board with foil, then lightly oil the foil. Tip the sugar into a heavy based pan, then gently heat, without stirring, until the sugar is melted and a golden caramel. You can swirl the pan gently to help it melt evenly if necessary. Remove from the heat, then stir in the almonds. Tip onto the foil, spread out with the back of an oiled metal spoon, then leave to set.
• Pour the reserved cream into a small pan. Break up the remaining chocolate, then add to the pan, stirring over a low heat until the chocolate has dissolved. Set aside to cool and thicken.
• When the almond caramel has set, break it up into small pieces using a rolling pin. You are aiming for a mix of larger and smaller pieces.
• When the chocolate sauce has cooled and is thick enough for spreading, turn the ice-cream bombe out onto a serving plate, remove the bowl, then peel off the plastic. Spread the chocolate over the top and sides of the bombe as evenly as possible. Add more as the first layer starts to set until you have used it all up. Scatter over the almond caramel, then return to the freezer until firm. To store the bombe, wrap in freezer film until ready to serve.
• To serve, transfer the bombe to the fridge 45 mins before serving. Dust with a little icing sugar and cut into thick wedges.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE & CRANBERRY RED VELVET BOMBE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease 2 x 16cm hemisphere cake tins, then dust with flour and shake out the excess. Stand the tins on two ramekins placed on a baking tray to hold them steady. Put the cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt and whisk together until smooth and evenly coloured bright red. Divide the mixture between the two tins and bake for 45 mins. Remove from the oven, cool in the tins for 10 mins, then tip onto a wire rack and leave until completely cold.
• Meanwhile, make the chocolate-orange ganache and the filling. Pour the cream into a saucepan, add the orange zest and heat until just steaming. Put half the white chocolate in a bowl, and the dark and milk chocolates in another bowl. Pour 50ml of the hot cream over the white chocolate (strain it if the orange zest is in big strands), and the remaining cream over the dark and milk mixture. Leave the bowls for 1-2 mins, then stir until smooth and glossy. Set aside to cool for 10 mins.
• Put the cream cheese in a bowl and whisk lightly to loosen. Add the icing sugar and the cooled white chocolate and cream mixture, then blend until smooth. Stir through the cranberries, then chill.
• When the cakes are cold, you can start assembling. With the cakes flat-side up, use a 7cm biscuit cutter to mark a circle in the centre of each. Use a spoon to gently scoop a dip in each cake, about 4cm deep (save the crumbs for cake truffles - see tip, left.) Remove the cream cheese mixture from the fridge and use to fill the cavities in the cakes, spreading a little onto the flat surfaces too, to help them stick together. Invert 1 cake onto the other to create a sphere, and place on a wire rack set over a baking tray (this will catch any chocolate drips).
• To ice the cake, the chocolate ganache needs to be the right consistency - pourable but not too runny. If it has set a little too much, place in the microwave for 10-20 secs, then mix until smooth; if it is too runny, chill until it has firmed up a little. Pour half the ganache over the cake, letting it cover the sides and run into the tray below (use the chocolate drips for cake truffles, see Tip). Cover the whole surface using a palette knife. This is just the first coating, so won't fill the gap between the sponges. Chill the cake for 20 mins or until the ganache has firmed up a little.
• Remove the cake from the fridge. Cover the gap around the middle with the remaining ganache, smoothing it all over with a palette knife. Return to the fridge for another 20 mins until firm, then transfer to a serving plate.
• Melt the remaining white chocolate in the microwave in short 10-sec bursts. Drizzle over the top of the cake, then scatter with dried cranberries, sprinkles and edible glitter, if you like. Chill if not serving straight away - it will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Remove from the fridge 30 mins before serving.