Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Hearts Recipes

CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRY HEARTS

Steps:

• 1. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, microwave two-thirds of the bittersweet chocolate for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the remaining chocolate until melted. Transfer 2 tablespoons to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag and snip a small hole in one corner.
• 2. Pipe 12 small (2-inch) heart outlines onto a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes. Fold the strawberries into the remaining bittersweet chocolate. Divide among the heart outlines and carefully spread to fill in the hearts.
• 3. Repeat the melting technique above with the white chocolate. Pipe decorations onto the hearts. Let stand until set.

CHOCOLATE HEART COOKIES

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Combine the flour and cocoa; gradually add to creamed mixture.
• On a lightly floured surface roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter placing 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
• Remove to wire racks to cool.
• In a microwave safe bowl, heat vanilla chips and 1 Tablespoon of shortening until melted, stirring frequently. Dip both sides of the cookie into melted mixture (so you make a V-shape from the point of the cookie out to the middle of both rounded tops).
• In another microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and remaining shortening, stirring frequently.
• Drizzle over the cookies.
• Place on wire rack to dry.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH PUFF PASTRY HEARTS

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir until just melted, about 6 minutes; remove from the heat and whisk until smooth and shiny.
• Fill a large bowl halfway with ice water. Combine 2 egg yolks, 6 tablespoons sugar, the cognac, vanilla and 2 tablespoons hot water in a separate heatproof bowl. Beat with a mixer until thick and pale yellow, about 7 minutes. Place the bowl over the pan of simmering water and continue beating until warm and tripled in volume, about 8 more minutes. Carefully rest the bowl in the ice water and beat until the mixture is cool and thick, about 2 more minutes. Gradually beat in the melted chocolate mixture until incorporated.
• Wash and dry the beaters. In a separate large bowl, beat 2 egg whites, the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and the salt until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Stir one-quarter of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture, then gently fold in the rest until incorporated. Transfer to four 8-ounce ramekins. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1 1/2-inch cookie cutter or small knife, cut out 4 hearts (or circles) from the pastry. Brush with the beaten egg, transfer to the prepared baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 5 minutes. Bake until puffed and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely. Top each ramekin with whipped cream and a puff pastry heart.