Chocolate Heart Of Darkness Cakes Recipes

MELTING HEART CAKES

Steps:

• For the frozen hearts: Press the softened sorbet into 4 cavities of an 8-cavity silicone heart mold (2 1/4-inch hearts). Freeze at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
• For the chocolate domes: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Once completely melted, let the chocolate cool to about 90 degrees F. The chocolate should still be melted and warm, not set.
• Meanwhile, wash and dry the outside of 4 medium round balloons. Inflate the balloons so they are about 5 inches in diameter.
• Holding onto the tied end of a balloon, dip it into the melted chocolate so that two-thirds of the balloon is covered in chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off. Place the balloon chocolate-side up in a coffee mug. Repeat with remaining balloons and chocolate. Let set at room temperature until hardened, 4 to 6 hours.
• Once the chocolate is complete set and hard, very carefully pop each ballon with a knife and remove it from the interior of the chocolate dome. Place the domes open-side down on a warmed baking sheet and gently swirl to create a smooth edge. Transfer to a clean baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Store in a cool place.
• For the white chocolate sauce: In a medium pot, heat the cream over medium-low heat until hot and bubbling around the edges. Immediately add the white chocolate chips and vanilla and whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and incorporated into the cream. Keep warm until ready to serve. You can make the sauce in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator; reheat in a pot over low heat before serving, adding more cream if needed to thin it out.
• For the assembly: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crumbled sandwich cookies, brownies and fresh and freeze-dried raspberries. Gently toss to combine.
• Line up 4 plates or wide shallow bowls (like pasta bowls). Place a 3-inch ring mold in the center of one of the plates and spoon in a quarter of the fruit and crumble mixture. Carefully remove the cutter. Repeat on the remaining plates. If you don't have a 3-inch cutter, neatly spoon the mixture into the center of each plate in a circle about 3 inches in diameter.
• Make sure the white chocolate sauce is nice and hot and transfer to a measuring cup or small pitcher.
• Working quickly, remove the raspberry sorbet hearts from the molds and place one onto each portion of the crumble mixture. Carefully cover each heart with a chocolate dome. Present to your guests and pour the hot chocolate sauce over the dome to melt and reveal the dessert.

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 - 9 inch round cake pans. In medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Spread batter evenly between the 3 prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool.

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, milk, oil and vinegar. Mix until smooth; the batter will be thin. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

CHOCOLATE SWEETHEART CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Grease bottom only of 1 round pan, 8x1 1/2 inches, and 1 square pan, 8x8x2 inches, with shortening. Make cake mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pans.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Cut round layer in half as shown in diagram. Freeze uncovered about 1 hour for easier frosting if desired. Arrange pieces on serving platter to form heart as shown in diagram. Frost cake with frosting, attaching pieces with small amount of frosting. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE HEART CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray bottoms only of foil pans. Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour into pans.
• Bake 26 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Spread frosting over cakes. Decorate with candies. Store loosely covered.