Best Chocolate Drizzle Recipes

CRANBERRY AND ALMOND BISCOTTI WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a bowl whisk together flour with baking powder and salt.
• Using an electric mixer beat the butter, sugar and eggs with extract until well blended (about 4 minutes).
• Add in the flour mixture, then the cranberries and almonds; mix well to combine.
• Divide the dough in half.
• With floured hands shape the dough in about 9 x 2-inch logs.
• Transfer the logs to prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
• In a small bowl whisk the egg white until foamy, the brush the egg white on top and sides of each log.
• Bake the logs until golden brown, about 35 minutes (the logs will spread when baked).
• Cool completely in the baking pan (leave the oven heat on to 350 degrees).
• Transfer the logs to a work surface.
• Shake out any crumbs from the parchment paper, then place back on the baking sheet with clean-side facing upwards.
• Using a serrated knife, sliced the logs on diagonal about 1/2 - 3/4-inches.
• Arrange the sliced biscotti cut side down on the same baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 minutes; turn the biscotti over and bake for another 5 minutes, just until beginning to lightly brown.
• Transfer biscotti to a rack to cool.
• For the glaze: stir the white chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water until smooth.
• Remove from over the water.
• Using a fork, drizzle chocolate over biscotti.
• Let stand until chocolate sets (about 30 minutes).

MOCHA ALMOND BISCOTTI WITH CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Dissolve coffee crystals in the hot water.
• Beat butter, sugar, vanilla, eggs and coffee in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with a spoon.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• On an ungreased cookie sheet or parchment paper, shape the dough into two 10x3 rectangles (each should be about 3/4 to 1 inch thick).
• Bake about 30 minutes or until center is firm to the touch.
• Cool 15 minutes on the cookie sheet.
• Cut crosswise into 1/2 inch thick slices.
• Place slices cut side down, in rows on a cookie sheet. (can be touching to fit them all on the sheet).
• Bake 7-8 minutes, then flip them over and bake another 7-8 minutes. The edges should be light brown and the biscotti should be crisp when done.
• Immediately remove from cookie sheet to a wire rack.
• When completely cool, melt the chocolate and shortening together (either in the microwave (but be careful not to over heat it or it will scorch) or in a heat-safe bowl over a pot of boiling water (for a quasi double-boiler)).
• Drizzle the chocolate over the biscotti using a spoon.
• When cool, enjoy with a cup of coffee.

EASY ALMOND BISCOTTI W/CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• 1. FIRST IN FOOD PROCESSOR CHOP ALMONDS...THEN FINELY CHOP OTHER HALF OF ALMONDS. PUT IN BOWL N SET ASIDE. LINE COOKIE SHEET WITH PARCHMENT PAPER.
• 2. IN A BOWL BEAT TOGETHER THE OIL, EGGS, SUGARS N ALMOND EXTRACT. COMBINE THE FLOUR N BAKING POWDER THEN STIR INTO EGG MIXTURE (I USED MIXER AT BEGINN N FINISHED MIXING BY HAND) FINALLY ADD ALMONDS N CONTINUE TO INCORPORATE. PREHEAT OVEN TO 375 FORM DOUGH INTO TWO LONG LOGS (ABOUT 10 INCHES LONG)ON PARCHMENT PAPER LINED COOKIE SHEET N FLATTEN TO 1/2 INCH THICKNESS.
• 3. BAKE FOR 25 MINUTES, UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN. REMOVE FROM COOKIE SHEET N LET COOL UNTIL ABLE TO HANDLE.
• 4. WITH A SERRATED KNIFE CUT 1/2 INCH SLICE ACROSS. PLACE CUT SIDES UP ON COOKIE SHEET N BAKE FOR 6 MIN ON EACH SIDE...TOTAL OF 12 MORE MIN...REMOVE FROM PAN N ONTO PLATE TO COOL.
• 5. MELT CHOCOLATE CHIPS IN MICRO ON 50% POWER MIXING AFTER EVERY 30 SECONDS...DO NOT OVER HEAT OR CHOCOLATE WILL SEIZE....USE FORK N DRIZZLE OVER COOKIES OR TAKE A DIP IN...ENJOY :)

BAKER'S CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Place chocolate in microwaveable bowl.
• Microwave on HIGH 2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Use teaspoon or fork to drizzle chocolate over dessert as desired.

COCONUT CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CHUNKS AND COCONUT DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides; dust pan with flour, shaking out excess. Sift 1 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, and sea salt into medium bowl. Stir in unsweetened shredded coconut and set aside. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, and orange peel in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with coconut milk in 2 additions, beating just until blended after each addition. Fold in half of bittersweet chocolate pieces. Spread batter evenly in prepared cake pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate pieces over batter, then sprinkle with sweetened flaked coconut.
• Bake cake until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, tenting with sheet of foil if coconut atop cake is browning too quickly, 60 to 70 minutes. Transfer cake to rack and cool in pan 45 minutes.
• Coconut Drizzle
• Whisk powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk, and vanilla in small bowl to blend well, adding more coconut milk by 1/2 teaspoonfuls until mixture is thin enough to drizzle over cake.
• Carefully run small knife around sides of cake to loosen. Invert cake onto platter, then carefully invert again onto another platter, coconut side up. Using small spoon, drizzle powdered sugar mixture decoratively over cake. Cool cake completely on platter. DO AHEAD Cake can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cover cake and let stand at room temperature.
• Cut cake into wedges and serve with vanilla ice cream.
• Available at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.
• ** Sold at many supermarkets and at Indian, Southeast Asian, and Latin markets. If unavailable, use 1 cup half and half mixed with 1/2 teaspoon imitation coconut extract.

CHERRY OAT SQUARES WITH CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base and sides of a 22cm square cake tin: cut 2 strips of baking parchment the width of the tin and longer than the base and sides, and fit into the tin each way and up the sides. This will make lifting it out easier.
• Mix together the flour, sugar and oats in a bowl. Add the egg, melted butter and cherries, and mix well. Tip into the tin and spread evenly with a fork.
• Bake for 20-25 mins until golden brown. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then carefully lift out using the paper and place on a board. Mark, but don't cut, 4 lines each way to make 16 squares. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 1 min, then drizzle over the squares. When the chocolate has set, cut the squares down the marked lines.

CHOCOLATE BLACK-OUT CAKE WITH GANACHE DRIZZLE -JACQUES TORRES

Steps:

• I made this cake in a set of metal dry measure cups. You can use a traditional 9-inch baking pan, if you prefer. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the cake: Melt the butter into the coffee. When the butter has melted, whisk in the buttermilk.
• Placed the eggs and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and place on low speed. Add the flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda 1 at a time and mix just until combined. Add the vanilla and the coffee buttermilk mixture. Mix just until combined.
• If you are using dry measure cups, place the batter in a container with a spout to make it easier to pour the batter into the dry measure cups. Place the measuring cup molds onto a cookie sheet. Spray each cup with vegetable cooking spray. Fill each cup half full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• To make the ganache drizzle: Heat the heavy cream in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan until bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium-size mixing bowl. Make a ganache by pouring about half of the hot cream over the chocolate and letting it sit for 30 seconds to melt the chocolate. Then, slowly whisk until smooth and homogenous. Do not add all of the hot cream to the cold chocolate at once. The shock of the temperature extremes will cause the fat in the chocolate to separate. If the ganache separates, it loses its elasticity, collapses, and becomes very liquid. I use a hand-held immersion blender to ensure a smooth ganache and to keep the emulsion of the chocolate. Add the remaining cream gradually and mix until all of the hot cream is incorporated and the ganache is smooth and homogenous.
• Unmold the cakes and let cool on a wire rack placed over a parchment paper lined baking sheet. When cool, stack the cakes on top of each other with the largest cake on the bottom layer. Placing the cakes on a wire rack placed over a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Use an offset spatula to spread the ganache over the cakes letting the excess drizzle over the sides. Use an offset spatula to move the cakes to the presentation plate.
• Make the chocolate curls: Use a block of white chocolate. Pull a vegetable peeler over the edge to create chocolate curls. Use the curls to decorate the cakes.

CHOCOLATE-DRIZZLE COCONUT MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 150°C or 130°C fan. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
• Beat egg whites in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.
• Gradually beat in sugar, adding a little and beating until dissolved. Beat until firm and glossy.
• Finely grate half the chocolate and fold into egg-white mix with coconut.
• Drop generous teaspoons onto tray, allowing some space for spreading.
• Bake for 13-15 rains, until pale golden and firm. Cool on tray.
• Melt remaining chocolate and drizzle lightly over macaroons in a diagonal pattern with a teaspoon. Allow chocolate to set.

CINNAMON ALMOND DARK CHOCOLATE MONKEY BREAD WITH CREAM CHEESE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• On a floured surface, unroll each tube of dough and separate along the perforations. Mound 1 teaspoon of the almond filling in the center of a dough triangle, top with 2 teaspoons chocolate chips and fold the sides over to make a package. Roll it in your hand to seal. Repeat with the rest of the dough, almond filling and chocolate chips.
• Brush a liberal amount of butter all over the inside of a 12-inch Bundt pan.
• Mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt in a shallow bowl. Dip each dough ball in melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place in the prepared pan. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until golden brown, an additional 10 to 15 minutes; let cool slightly.
• While still warm, take a knife or offset spatula and carefully separate the sides of the cake from the pan. Turn it over and turn out onto a serving dish. Drizzle with the Cream Cheese Drizzle and sprinkle with crushed almonds.
• Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, almond extract and 2 tablespoons milk in a bowl until very smooth. If the mixture needs to be looser, add an additional 1 tablespoon milk.

FLOURLESS BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MILK CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Line the bottom of the pan with round of parchment or waxed paper; butter the paper. In a medium saucepan, combine 8 ounces of chocolate and butter. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the chocolate and butter are melted. Gently whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the cognac. Let cool. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of the sugar until well blended. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture. In the 4 1/2 quart bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer, using the wire whip attachment, beat the egg whites at medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat the egg whites until soft peaks start to form. 1 tablespoon at a time, beat in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Continue beating until the egg whites are stiff but not dry. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture in additions. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is puffed and a tester inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, cut around the sides of the cake to loosen it. Release the pan side. Invert the cake onto a wire rack. Peel off the parchment paper and cool the cake completely. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight. Place the remaining chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a gentle boil. Using a wire whisk, stir in the honey. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let the mixture stand for 30 seconds to melt chocolate. Whisk the mixture until smooth. Cover the surface of the glaze with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove the cake from the refrigerator, removing the plastic wrap from the cake. Place the cake on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a metal spatula, spread the raspberry preserves evenly over the top and sides of the cake. Pour the chocolate glaze over the cake covering it completely; spread evenly with a metal spatula. Drizzle the top of the glazed cake with the melted milk chocolate. Serve the cake immediately, or refrigerate. Bring the cake to room temperature before serving.

SUFGANIYOT WITH DULCE DE LECHE WHIPPED CREAM FILLING AND CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Make Sufganiyot. In large bowl, stir warm water, yeast and a pinch of the granulated sugar until yeast dissolves; let stand a few minutes until yeast bubbles. (If yeast doesn't bubble, throw out mixture and start over.) Stir in remaining granulated sugar, 2 1/2 cups of the flour, the salt, cinnamon, warm milk, oil and eggs until well mixed. Gradually stir in more flour until dough is firm and smooth.
• Lightly grease large bowl with oil or cooking spray; place dough in bowl, turning to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.
• Gently punch down dough; divide in half. Roll out each half to 1/4-inch thickness. Using 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter or drinking glass, cut out 30 circles, pressing together and rerolling dough scraps as necessary. Place circles on greased cookie sheet to rest, covering circles with a kitchen towel while oil for frying is heating up, 15 to 30 minutes.
• In Dutch oven, heat 3 to 4 inches oil to 375°F. Fry sufganiyot, 4 or 5 at a time, in hot oil about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked through to the center. Drain on a plate covered with paper towels. Cool at least 10 minutes before filling.
• Meanwhile, make Dulce de Leche Whipped Cream. In chilled large bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until starting to thicken. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, beating until thick. Beat in dulce de leche, 1 tablespoon at a time, until completely incorporated, then until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• On sheet of waxed paper, arrange cooled sufganiyot in single layer. Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke a hole through the side of each to within 1/2 inch of opposite edge (be careful not to break through completely). In decorating bag fitted with round tip (1/4- to 3/4-inch wide), place whipped cream mixture; pipe 1 to 2 tablespoons into each sufganiyot.
• In small resealable food-storage plastic bag, place chocolate chips and shortening; reseal bag. Microwave on High, stopping to squeeze bag every 30 seconds, until chips are melted and smooth. Cut very small opening in bottom corner of bag; pipe melted chocolate mixture over sufganiyot. Let stand until set, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE DRIZZLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil the bottom of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, and line it with parchment paper.
• In a mixer, beat butter until soft. Add brown sugar, and beat again until soft and creamy. Mix in zest of 1 orange. In another bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cocoa.
• Whisk eggs into butter-sugar mixture one at a time, alternating with a little flour mixture. Fold in remaining flour mixture. Add milk. Stir until smooth. Pour into pan.
• Bake until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 45 minutes. In a saucepan combine juice, remaining zest and confectioners' sugar. Place over low heat until sugar dissolves. Strain into a pitcher.
• When the cake comes out of the oven, pierce it all over the top with a cake tester. Slowly drizzle warm syrup over the cake so that it sinks in. Allow cake to sit in the pan until it has cooled, then transfer to a serving plate.

CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE & TRUFFLE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 170C/fan 150C/gas 3. Butter and line the base of a 20cm springform tin. For the torte, break the chocolate into a bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water, and add the butter. Heat until melted, than take off the heat and stir until smooth. Cool for about 5 mins.
• Stir in the egg yolks and ground almonds. Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then start to add the sugar, a spoonful at a time, until stiff peaks form. Stir a spoonful or two of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to slacken it, then carefully fold in the rest.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 30-35 mins until risen and just firm. Cool in the tin before turning out - don't worry if it cracks and sinks a bit. Peel off the lining paper.
• For the ganache, put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream to just below boiling point, then pour onto the chocolate, stirring. When the chocolate has melted, add the butter and stir until the mixture is glossy and smooth. Cool slightly. Cut the cake in half and sandwich together with a third of the ganache. Use the rest to cover the top and sides of the cake.
• To decorate, melt the milk and white chocolates separately, either in a small bowl over a pan of simmering water or on medium in the microwave in 30 sec bursts. Drizzle alternately on top of the torte. The torte will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

WHITE CHOCOLATE DIPPED COOKIES WITH PEPPERMINT DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Arrange cookies on wire baking rack that has been placed on top of a parchment lined baking sheet. Leave some space between cookies. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, sift together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add red food coloring and peppermint extract. Stir until combined. Spoon or pour red icing into a zip-top bag. Press out air and close. Snip off a small corner of bag.
• Drizzle icing back and forth over the tops of the cookies. Allow to dry for 1 to 2 hours or until icing has hardened.

CARAMEL APPLES WITH COCONUT & CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Wash apples, then dry completely. (Note: In order for the caramel sauce to stick to the apples, the apples need to be well chilled before washing, drying and dipping in the caramel sauce.)
• Insert wooden pop stick into stem end of each apple. Microwave caramels and water in large glass microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 to 2-1/2 min. or until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended when stirred.
• Cover large plate with parchment; spray with cooking spray. Dip apples, 1 at a time, into caramel sauce, turning to evenly coat each apple. Hold dipped apple over bowl to let excess caramel drip back into bowl. Dip apples in coconut; place on prepared plate. Refrigerate 15 min.
• Microwave chocolate in separate microwaveable bowl 1 to 1 min. 15 sec. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min.; stir until completely melted. Drizzle chocolate over apples; return to plate.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate is firm. Remove apples from refrigerator 15 min. before serving. (Note: Caramel apples can be refrigerated up to 2 days before serving.)

CARAMEL CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
• Combine cookie crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and cocoa powder in a large bowl. Add melted butter; stir until well mixed. Pat mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crust is set, about 10 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese and white sugar together until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in sour cream and vanilla extract; mix on low speed.
• Pour half-and-half into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until mostly heated through, about 2 minutes. Add caramel candies a few at a time and cook, stirring frequently, until smooth, about 5 minutes. Pour caramel mixture into the cream cheese mixture; mix on low speed until well blended. Pour filling over the baked crust.
• Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second increments, stirring after each melting, 1 to 3 minutes. Drizzle over the filling; drag a knife through the filling to make a marbled effect. Fill a rimmed baking sheet with water and place on the bottom rack of the oven.
• Bake cake in the preheated oven until set, about 55 minutes. Turn heat off and let cheesecake cool in the oven for 45 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

STICKY SESAME BARS WITH RAW CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• 1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil or parchment paper and grease the pan with coconut oil or vegetable oil.
• 2. Place the nuts, sesame seeds, and chia seeds in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the agave nectar, nut or seed butter, oil, vanilla, and salt. Process, using on/off pulses, until the mixture is blended and begins to stick together and clump on the sides of the bowl.
• 3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place a large piece of parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap (lightly greased with coconut or vegetable oil) atop the bar mixture and use it to spread and flatten the mixture evenly in the pan; leave the paper or plastic wrap to cover. Place the mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• 4. To prepare the chocolate drizzle: Mix the oil, agave nectar, and cocoa powder in a small bowl until blended. Remove the bar mixture from the freezer, uncover, and decoratively drizzle or spread with the chocolate mixture. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or place in the freezer for 1 hour until the mixture is firm.
• 5. Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 20 bars. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

CHOCOLATE BLACK-OUT CAKE WITH GANACHE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• I made this cake in a set of metal dry measure cups. You can use a traditional 9-inch baking pan, if you prefer. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the cake: Melt the butter into the coffee. When the butter has melted, whisk in the buttermilk.
• Placed the eggs and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and place on low speed. Add the flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda 1 at a time and mix just until combined. Add the vanilla and the coffee buttermilk mixture. Mix just until combined.
• If you are using dry measure cups, place the batter in a container with a spout to make it easier to pour the batter into the dry measure cups. Place the measuring cup molds onto a cookie sheet. Spray each cup with vegetable cooking spray. Fill each cup half full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• To make the ganache drizzle: Heat the heavy cream in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan until bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium-size mixing bowl. Make a ganache by pouring about half of the hot cream over the chocolate and letting it sit for 30 seconds to melt the chocolate. Then, slowly whisk until smooth and homogenous. Do not add all of the hot cream to the cold chocolate at once. The shock of the temperature extremes will cause the fat in the chocolate to separate. If the ganache separates, it loses its elasticity, collapses, and becomes very liquid. I use a hand-held immersion blender to ensure a smooth ganache and to keep the emulsion of the chocolate. Add the remaining cream gradually and mix until all of the hot cream is incorporated and the ganache is smooth and homogenous.
• Unmold the cakes and let cool on a wire rack placed over a parchment paper lined baking sheet. When cool, stack the cakes on top of each other with the largest cake on the bottom layer. Placing the cakes on a wire rack placed over a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Use an offset spatula to spread the ganache over the cakes letting the excess drizzle over the sides. Use an offset spatula to move the cakes to the presentation plate.
• Make the chocolate curls: Use a block of white chocolate. Pull a vegetable peeler over the edge to create chocolate curls. Use the curls to decorate the cakes.

SNOW EGGS WITH PISTACHIO CUSTARD AND CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Peel and dry pistachios:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Drop nuts into boiling water and cook 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and transfer to a bowl of ice and water to stop cooking. Drain in colander again. Peel off skins and pat nuts dry, then spread in 1 layer in a shallow baking pan.
• Bake in middle of oven until dry and lightly toasted, about 7 minutes, then cool. Coarsely chop 2 tablespoons nuts and leave remaining nuts whole.
• Make pistachio cream:
• Finely grind whole pistachios with 2 tablespoons sugar in a food processor. Add 3 tablespoons milk and process to a paste. Blend in 5 tablespoons milk and transfer pistachio cream to a bowl. Chill, covered, 8 hours.
• Make "eggs":
• Whisk together 2 tablespoons sugar and remaining 3 1/2 cups milk in a deep 12-inch skillet and bring to a bare simmer (milk should steam but not bubble).
• While milk is heating, beat whites with lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold soft peaks. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, and beat until meringue just holds stiff peaks.
• Using an oval-shaped ice cream scoop or an oval soupspoon, form 8 meringue "eggs," gently dropping them as formed into milk mixture (keep milk at a bare simmer). Poach meringues until set on bottom, about 2 minutes, then carefully turn over and poach until set throughout, about 2 minutes more. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plastic-wrap-lined shallow baking pan and make 8 more meringues in same manner.
• Make custard:
• Pour poaching liquid through a very fine sieve into a large glass measure. Whisk together yolks, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and a pinch of salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then slowly add poaching liquid, whisking constantly. Cook custard over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it's thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 170 to 175°F on an instant-read thermometer (do not boil).
• Pour custard into a metal bowl and stir in pistachio cream and almond extract. Set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and cool custard, stirring occasionally. Pour custard through very fine sieve into another bowl, pressing on and discarding solids.
• Assemble dessert:
• Melt chocolate in a small metal bowl set over a small saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
• Pour custard into 8 shallow bowls or rimmed plates and arrange meringues on top. Drizzle chocolate over meringues and custard and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

FROZEN FRUIT SKEWERS WITH CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Thread fruit alternately onto skewers, using approximately 2 pieces of each per skewer; place in single layer on cookie sheet with sides. Freeze 1 hour or until fruit is frozen. About 5 minutes before serving, drizzle fruit with chocolate topping; return to freezer until ready to serve.