DARK CHOCOLATE-CHERRY GANACHE BARS

Dark Chocolate-Cherry Ganache Bars image

Homemade ganache is just about the easiest chocolate recipe out there, a dead-simple mixture of melted chocolate and hot cream, whisked until smooth, then chilled until fudgy.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories dessert

Time 1h

Yield 18 bars

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

150 grams all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups)
90 grams confectioners' sugar (about 3/4 cup)
26 grams unsweetened cocoa powder (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
52 grams cherry jam (about 2 tablespoons)
340 grams bittersweet chocolate, at least 62 percent, chopped (12 ounces)
2/3 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons kirsch, rum, brandy or other spirit
1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel, for sprinkling

Steps:

In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and fine sea salt. Pulse in the butter and vanilla until the mixture just comes together into a smooth mass. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment or wax paper. Press the dough into the pan. Prick all over with a fork. Chill for at least 20 minutes and up to 3 days.
Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Bake the shortbread until firm to the touch and just beginning to pull away from the sides, 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool in the pan for 20 minutes on a wire rack. Brush jam over shortbread's surface and let cool thoroughly.
Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Pour over the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the kirsch. Spread over shortbread. Sprinkle fleur de sel on. Cool to room temperature; cover and chill until firm. Slice and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 261, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 72 milligrams, Sugar 17 grams, TransFat 0 grams