CHOCOLATE GANACHE
Ganache is the French term for the luscious combination of chocolate and cream, and it makes a strategic addition to any dessert playbook. When it's hot and pourable, it's a classic companion to ice cream. Warm, you can pour or pipe it over a cake, cupcakes or cookies; it will set to a soft, rich glaze. Let it cool to room temperature and whip it in a mixer to make a fluffy frosting. Or chill it, then roll into balls and dust with cocoa powder to make truffles. This sauce has a slightly more adult flavor than the ice-cream-parlor standard; coffee will do that to a dessert. Leave it out if you prefer. Also note that bittersweet chocolate will deliver a stronger, sharper chocolate taste than semi-sweet. Refrigerate leftovers in a jar; it will keep indefinitely. To rewarm, place the jar in a saucepan half-filled with simmering water, or uncover and heat in microwave at low heat.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories easy, for one, dessert
Time 5m
Yield About 1 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a heavy saucepan, combine all ingredients and melt together over very low heat, stirring. (Alternatively, combine in a bowl and microwave at low heat for 2 minutes. Stir. Continue cooking in 30-second blasts, stirring in-between.)
- Just before all the chocolate is melted, remove from heat and stir until chocolate melts and mixture comes together. It may appear curdled, but keep stirring or whisk vigorously; it will smooth out. If too thick to pour, whisk in hot water a tablespoon at a time. Taste for salt and adjust the seasoning.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 273, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 23 milligrams, Sugar 27 grams
CHOCOLATE-TOFFEE CRUNCH LAYER CAKE
This layered cake is pure chocolate confection. Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ chocolate cake mix gets an extra chocolaty plus-up from the addition of chocolate pudding before baking. A from-scratch dangerously good dark chocolate buttercream frosting covers the three layers of cake. The special addition that takes this dessert to the next level? A toffee bits crunch that's sprinkled among the frosting in between the cake layers, and then piled atop the cake. For an extra-fun touch, we added small frosting stars piped around the edges of the top of the cake! It's a truly over-the-top chocolate dessert that makes a gorgeous centerpiece, and makes any chocolate-loving guest very happy.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 3h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray.
- In large bowl, beat Cake ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour 1 2/3 cups batter in each pan. Spread evenly.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, microwave 1/3 cup chocolate chips uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second increments, stirring after each, until chips can be stirred smooth. Add almonds to bowl; stir until almonds are coated evenly with chocolate. Spread on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes until chocolate is firm.
- Break chocolate-coated nuts into large pieces, and place in bowl of food processor. Cover and process until coarsely chopped. Place in small bowl; stir in toffee bits. Set aside.
- In small microwavable bowl, microwave 3/4 cup chocolate chips uncovered on High 60 seconds; stir halfway through. Continue to microwave in 15-second increments until chips can be stirred smooth; cool 10 minutes. In large bowl, beat butter and melted chocolate with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla, scraping side of bowl occasionally, until smooth and creamy.
- Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread 2/3 cup of the frosting on top; sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the toffee bits crunch over top of frosting. Top with second cake layer. Spread 2/3 cup frosting on top; sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the toffee bits crunch over top of frosting; top with third cake layer. Fit decorating bag with medium star piping tip; fill with 3/4 cup of the frosting. Set aside.
- Frost sides with thin layer of frosting so sides are covered but cake still shows through. Spread remaining frosting on top. Using decorating bag, pipe stars on top edge of cake. Fill center with remaining toffee bits crunch. Refrigerate cake 30 minutes. If refrigerating cake longer than 30 minutes, let cake stand 10 minutes at room temperature before cutting. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 700, Carbohydrate 79 g, Cholesterol 100 mg, Fat 7, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 19 g, ServingSize 1 Slice, Sodium 680 mg, Sugar 60 g, TransFat 1 g
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