Chocolate Jewels Recipes

FRUIT JEWELS (PATE DE FRUIT)

Steps:

• Place the applesauce, apricots, and sugar into a non-reactive 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Mix together, then add the raspberries. The raspberries will dominate the flavor. If you want apricot-flavored Pate de Fruit, omit the raspberries. Using a hand-held immersion blender or whisk, combine all of the ingredients until smooth and homogenous. As the mixture cooks, the natural pectin in the fruit will cause the mixture to thicken. Continue to cook until it is thick, mixing constantly. To test for the correct consistency, dip a whisk in the mixture and hold horizontally in front of you. Watch as the mixture drips off the whisk and back into the pan. If the mixture stays on the whisk and beads up into small balls, like pearls, it is ready. If it drips back into the pan in thin strands, it needs to be cooked a little longer.
• When the mixture is a bit thicker than jam, pour it into a spouted container. Fill either a half-dome or triangle shaped flexipan, depending on the desired design of the jewels and let rest for 4 hours at room temperature. When the mixture has set, remove and roll each jewel in sugar. If you do not have a flexipan, you can pour the Pate de Fruit into a 10-inch bottomless tart mold or cake ring placed on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. Let the Pate de Fruit cool and set, about 3 hours at room temperature. When the mixture has set, remove and roll each jewel in sugar. To unmold, run a sharp paring knife between the fruit and the mold and lift off the mold. (At this point the Pate de Fruit can be stored, well wrapped in plastic and in an airtight container, for up to 2 months.) Sprinkle the top of the Pate de Fruit with a thin layer of sugar and flip it onto another sheet of parchment paper. Remove the parchment that is now on top. Sprinkle this side with more sugar. Using a wet chef's knife or cutter, cut the Pate de Fruit into any shapes. Roll each piece completely in sugar and serve. Do not store in the refrigerator, as the humidity will make the sugar melt.

JEWELED COCONUT DROPS

Steps:

• Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, orange juice and almond extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in 3 cups coconut. Refrigerate until easy to handle, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. Shape rounded tablespoons of dough into balls; roll in remaining coconut. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in the center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake until edges are light brown, 8-10 minutes. Cool 1 minute. Using the wooden spoon, enlarge any indentations that may have narrowed or closed. Remove cookies from pans to wire racks. Fill with preserves; cool completely.

JEWEL NUT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a lightly greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake 15 minutes. , In a large bowl, whisk together egg and salt; stir in remaining brown sugar. Stir in nuts, cherries and chocolate chips. Spoon evenly over crust., Bake until topping is set, 20-25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY JEWELS

Steps:

• Place 2 oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Food Processor Method
• Into a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt, then whisk to mix evenly. In a food processor with the metal blade, process the sugars for several minutes until very fine. Cut the butter into a few pieces and add it with the motor running. Add the peanut butter and process until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and process until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture and pulse in just until incorporated.
• Electric Mixer Method
• Soften the butter. Into a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine well. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the sugars until well mixed. Add the butter and peanut butter and beat for several minutes, until very smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl. At low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture just until incorporated.
• For Both Methods
• Scrape the dough into a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. (This keeps the dough from cracking when shaped.)
• Measure the dough into a 1 1/4-inch cookie scoop or 2 level teaspoons and roll it between the palms of your hands to shape 1-inch balls. Place the balls 1 1/2 inches apart on the cookie sheets. As soon as you roll each ball, use your index finger or the handle of a wooden spoon to make a depression going down almost to the cookie sheet in the center of each ball.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned and set. For even baking, rotate the cookie sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through the baking period.
• Cool the cookies on the sheets for a few minutes or until firm enough to lift. Use a small, angled metal spatula or pancake turner to transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. If necessary, while the cookies are still hot, use the greased handle of a wooden spoon to deepen the depressions.
• Fill the centers with the cherry preserves or milk chocolate toppings.
• Cherry Preserves Topping
• In a microwave oven or a saucepan, heat the preserves until boiling. Strain the jelly into a small heavy saucepan. Place the cherries remaining in the strainer in the centers of the cookies. If some are crushed, piece them together.
• On medium heat, boil the jelly for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until, when it is dropped from the stirring spoon, the last drops gather to form one large sticky drop that hangs from the spoon. The jelly will be reduced to about 3/4 cup. Allow the jelly to cool about 1 minute or until the bubbling stops. Spoon heaping 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons over each cherry.
• Milk Chocolate Topping
• Break the chocolate into squares and place them in the top of a double boiler. Set it over hot but not simmering water. The water must not touch the bottom of the double-boiler insert. Stir until the chocolate begins to melt. Return the pan to low heat if the water cools, but be careful that the water does not get too hot. Stir the chocolate until smooth, and cool it until it is no longer warm to the touch. (The chocolate may be melted in a microwave oven if stirred every 15 seconds. Remove it before it is fully melted and stir, using residual heat to complete melting). Whisk in the softened butter. The mixture will immediately thicken. Do not overwhisk. Use a reclosable quart-size freezer bag with one corner cut off to pipe the chocolate into the centers of the cookies or use a small metal spatula to spread on a dollop. You can also use a coupler with a number 22 star decorating tube to pipe the chocolate decoratively into the centers. Allow the chocolate to set until firm.
• Store:
• Cookies filled with chocolate can be stacked in an airtight container at room temperature. Cookies with cherry centers need to be placed in single layers in airtight containers at room temperature. Do not cover the surface of the cookie with plastic wrap as the cherry center remains slightly sticky.
• Keeps:
• 1 month if filled, several months unfilled.
• Smart Cookie
• • For the best texture and flavor, be sure to use commercially prepared peanut butter such as Skippy and not homemade or health food varieties, which are less smooth.
• • The dry ingredients are sifted together because baking soda has a tendency to lump.
• • Using superfine sugar will result in fewer cracks in the cookie's surface. It can be prepared easily in a food processor by processing granulated sugar for a few minutes or until it is as fine as sand.
• • These cookies are much lighter than the usual peanut butter cookie, despite the high amount of peanut butter, because there is less flour, which offsets the bulk of the peanuts.
• • For a more delicate flavor and a finer, less "sandy" texture, that does not crack, try a batch using half the amount of peanut butter. The cookies will also be flatter and crisper.
• • Cherry preserves, straight from the jar, can be placed in the center of the unbaked cookie and baked in it, but the cookie is far less attractive.
• • Allow the cookie sheet(s) to cool completely before using for the next batch.
• • Distribute the cookies evenly around the cookie sheet. Avoid crowding the cookies into one section of the cookie sheet, leaving a large area bare.
• • For a delicious variation that will enable you to pack the cherry variety without their sticking together, top the cherry centers with melted chocolate. Use 3 ounces of bittersweet or semisweet chocolate and 2 ounces of finely chopped milk chocolate. Melt the bittersweet chocolate as indicated for the Milk Chocolate Topping. Scrape it into a small container, immediately add the finely chopped milk chocolate, and stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Use a small spoon to cover the cherry center with the chocolate or pipe it from a reclosable quart-size freezer bag with a small piece cut from one of the corners of the bag. Place the cookies in a cool place or the refrigerator for about 5 minutes or until the chocolate is set and no longer shiny.

CANDY GEMS

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tablespoons corn syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat until syrup registers 300 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract and 1 or 2 drops food coloring using a rubber spatula. (Mixture will steam and bubble when liquid is added, so be careful.) Transfer mixture to a liquid measuring cup, and let the bubbles settle slightly, about 15 seconds.
• Slowly pour mixture into gem candy molds just below the top. Let cool until candies harden, about 30 minutes. Remove candies from molds. Repeat with remaining 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons corn syrup, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract, and 1 or 2 drops food coloring (same color as first batch).
• Let second batch cool slightly, about 3 minutes. Top with first batch of hardened candies, flat sides together, matching sizes and shapes. Let harden and cool completely before removing from molds.

CROWN JEWEL DESSERT

Steps:

• Prepare lime, orange and 1 package strawberry gelatin separately as directed on package, using 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cold water for each. Pour each flavor gelatin into separate 8-inch square pan sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
• Add remaining boiling water to remaining dry strawberry gelatin mix in large bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in remaining cold water. Refrigerate 45 min. or until slightly thickened.
• Cut gelatin in each square pan into 1/2-inch cubes. Add 1-1/2 cups of each flavor gelatin to thickened strawberry gelatin in bowl along with half the COOL WHIP; stir gently until blended. Pour into 9x5-inch loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Meanwhile, refrigerate remaining gelatin cubes and COOL WHIP until ready to use.
• Unmold dessert onto plate; top with remaining COOL WHIP.

CHRISTMAS JEWELS

Steps:

• Combine flour with 1/3 cup brown sugar.
• Cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press mixture firmly and evenly onto bottom of an ungreased 15x10 jelly roll pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat egg slightly in large bowl.
• Stir in remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar and salt.
• Add salted mixed nuts, 1-1/2 cups halved candied cherries and chocolate chips.
• Toss mixture lightly to coat.
• Spoon fruit mixture evenly over baked layer.
• Press firmly to adhere layers together.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Cool, then cut into approximately 24 bars.

JEWEL CAKES

Steps:

• Separate eggs.
• Beat whites to a soft peak.
• Cream butter with sugar in a large bowl.
• Add egg yolks and beat.
• Stir in the flour until it disappears completely.
• Then fold in beaten egg whites.
• Grease bottom of 13x9x2" pan.
• (Yes, I mean the bottom. It'll be a lot easier than using the pan like normal.) Measure out 2/3 cup of batter.
• Spread on pan, not quite to the edges.
• Bake at 350F oven about 10 minutes until golden brown.
• Slide off carefully and let cool.
• Repeat until you have made five thin layers of cake.
• In a small bowl, grind almonds until fine.
• Mix in sour cream.
• Then take 1 layer and spread 1/4 cup apricot preserves over it.
• Spread 1/3 cup of sour cream mixture on top of preserves.
• Cover with another layer of cake.
• Spread 1/4 cup raspberry preserves over top layer.
• Cover the preserves with more sour cream.
• Alternate layers between raspberry and apricot preserves.
• When all layers are put together, cover with wax paper.
• Lay flat weights on top of it- a few good sized books should do the trick.
• Leave in refridgerator with weight overnight.
• In the morning, trim off rough edges.
• Use Jewel Cake Icing to cover.
• We usually create little flowers on each of the cakes, using a dragee to make the centre.
• Cut into 64 square cakes and enjoy!