Chocolate Praline Brains Recipes

CHOCOLATE-TOPPED PRALINES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and have a tablespoon-sized cookie scooper ready.
• Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, butter and baking soda to a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon occasionally, until the sugars are dissolved and the mixture begins to boil. Clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pot and continue to cook until the mixture reaches between 235 to 240 degrees F. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes. Add the pecans, vanilla and salt and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the candy begins to dull and the mixture starts to thicken, about 4 minutes. Working quickly, drop heaping tablespoon-sized mounds with the cookie scooper onto the prepared baking sheet (see Cook's Note). Cool completely until set and the pralines have reached room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Add the chocolate chips to a heat-resistant metal or glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water and stir until completely melted. Remove bowl from the heat. Using a spoon, add a dollop of chocolate on the top of each of the praline mounds and use the back of the spoon to spread slightly and create a swirl in the chocolate. Sprinkle with the flaked sea salt, if using. Let cool completely until set (see Cook's Note). Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator with wax paper between the layers of pralines.

CAKE POP BRAINS

Steps:

• Combine the cake and frosting in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and holds together when pressed in your fingers. (Add more frosting a teaspoon or so at a time, if needed, to reach the desired consistency.) Set aside.
• Put about two-thirds of the candy melting wafers or ruby chocolate in a double boiler. Heat, stirring, until almost melted (a few remaining chunks is okay). Add the remaining candy melting wafers or chocolate in 2 or 3 additions, stirring to melt. (For ruby chocolate, the melted chocolate should read 110 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, then cool to 80 degrees F once the last third of the chocolate is stirred in.)
• Divide about two-thirds of the melted candy mixture among eight 2-inch-wide silicone brain molds and use a small brush to evenly coat each mold, making sure the sides and bottoms are well covered and no part of the mold shows through. Pop into the refrigerator for a few minutes for faster setting (don't refrigerate for too long or they can crack when unmolding).
• Combine the jam and a few drops of red food coloring, just to intensify the color, in a small bowl. Stir in a few drops of water, if needed, so the jam is fluid but not runny.
• When the shells are set, divide the jam among the cavities. Mold the cake mixture into balls and press into the molds. Use a sharp paring knife to shave the cake so it's flush with the top of the molds. Smooth the remaining melted candy mixture over top to cover the cake completely. Let set at room temperature, at least 40 minutes (or refrigerate for a few minutes for faster setting).
• Gently press the brains out of the molds and serve.

CHOCOLATE PRALINE SPIDER BONBONS

Steps:

• For the molds: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate. Temper the milk chocolate by melting it first and allowing it cool to about 82 degrees F. Reheat the chocolate to about 88 degrees F for use. Prepare 2 trays of chocolate hemisphere molds (32 pieces per mold) with tempered melted milk chocolate by coating the insides of the mold with a layer of the milk chocolate. Allow to set. Reserve extra tempered chocolate.
• For the praline butter: In a small saucepot over low heat, heat the fondant and invert sugar until soft. In a separate small saucepot over low heat, melt the chocolate. Combine the fondant, melted chocolate, praline, and butter in a separate bowl and mix with an immersion blender until smooth. Place in a piping bag without a tip.
• Using the pastry bag, fill the prepared chocolate hemisphere molds with the praline butter until each mold is about 3/4 full. Cover the praline butter-filled mold with more tempered milk chocolate to seal the bonbon. Scrape the top to remove excess chocolate. Let rest at room temperature until set, 2 to 3 hours.
• Carefully unmold. For the legs, place the remaining tempered milk chocolate in a piping bag and pipe 2-inch lines on strips of parchment paper, cut 3 inches by 6-inches, and curl the paper slightly to create an arc. Hold the shape by placing the paper between 2 sturdy objects, like 2 books. Let the chocolate set. Take each leg and adhere to the unmolded chocolate bonbon with a little additional tempered milk chocolate. Each chocolate mold requires 8 legs.

CHOCOLATE PRALINE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a food processor, combine flour, powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla and salt; process to blend.
• With the motor running, gradually add 1-2/3 cup of the butter, a few tablespoons at a time.
• Process until dough forms a ball on top of the blades.
• Press dough into a 12-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until light brown.
• Set aside to cool.
• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine remaining 1 cup butter, brown sugar, honey and sugar; bring to a boil.
• Boil for 3 minutes.
• Add pecans and cream and return to a boil.
• Immediately pour into cooled crust.
• Bake until center is bubbling, about 20 minutes.
• Let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.

CHOCOLATE PRALINE COOKIES

Steps:

• Set oven to 375°F.
• Cream butter and brown sugar together with an electric hand mixer, or if you would rather do it by hand, a heavy spatula will work.
• Add the baking powder and egg until the mixture looks smooth and creamy.
• Beat in the vanilla extract.
• Slowly beat the flour into the mixture, a quarter cup at a time until you use all the flour.
• Add your pecans or walnuts. (I have used both together, and apart, either way they taste wonderful! In fact I have even altered this recipe and used ground almonds).
• If you think the dough is too warm you may want to put it in the freezer. When I bake in the winter I often will put all my cookie doughs in the freezer for fifteen minutes before working with them. If the dough is too warm, it will spread while baking and you will get pancakes rather then cookies :).
• Take the dough from the freezer and drop it by the teaspoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet approx 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookie looks golden, when you lift the cookies they should have an even color on the bottom.
• Cool the cookies on a wire rack until they are cool to touch.
• While the cookies cool gather your semisweet chips and vegetable shortening in a small sandwich baggie. If you want you can use a chocolate melting double boiler. Personally I like to do things the quick and easy way, so take your baggie of chocolate and shortening and seal it closed, then put it in a bowl of warm water. Wait approximately five minutes and the chocolate should have melted. If not repeat with warmer water. Use your finger to make sure the chocolate and shortening have mixed.
• Using a scissors snip the corner of the sandwich baggie and drizzle the chocolate over the cooled cookies. For small drizzles make only a slight cut in the corner of the bag, for larger chocolate lines, make a larger cut. I usually make designs on the cookies with the chocolate. Simple criss cross lines look elegant and sophisticated.
• These cookies are one of my favorites, and I often bring them to parties or special occasions because of their beautiful appearance and interesting flavor.
• **To Toast Nuts**.
• Set oven to 350°F.
• Place nuts on baking sheet in a single layer.
• Bake for approximately 5-8 minutes checking frequently, and stirring them about on the sheet. They should become a golden bronze color, depending on the nut. The toasting of nuts will allow for a richer flavor usually.

HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE PRALINES

Steps:

• Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper.
• In a heavy 3 quart saucepan combine sugar,brown sugar,cocoa and light cream.
• Cook over medium heat,stirring constantly until mixture boils.
• Reduce heat to low,cook stirring occanionally to 234 degrees (soft ball stage).
• Remove from heat.
• Add butter and vanilla.
• DO NOT STIR.
• Cool at room temperature to 160 degrees.
• Add pecans,Beat with wooden spoon just until mixture begins to thicken (about 1-2 minutes) but is still glossy.
• Quickly drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.
• Cool.
• Store covered.

CHOCOLATE PRALINES, MEXICAN STYLE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Stir white sugar, light brown sugar, evaporated milk, corn syrup, and cocoa powder in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium low and cook, stirring constantly, until the syrup reaches 220 degrees F (104 degrees C) when measured with a candy thermometer. A small amount of syrup dropped into cold water should form a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in marshmallows, vanilla extract, butter, and pecans, beating the candy by hand until creamy and the candy begins to to set up slightly at the edges of the pan, about 10 minutes.
• Drop the warm candy by teaspoons onto the parchment paper; allow room for pralines to spread slightly. Cool the candy thoroughly before serving.

CHOCOLATE PRALINE

Steps:

• Melt butter, sugar, cocoa powder and syrup in a large bowl. Add crushed biscuits and sultanas and stir well.
• Spead mixture onto a baking sheet so it is about 1.5cm thick. Allow to cool 15 mins.
• Melt chocolate and spread over top. Allow to cool 45 mins and cut into small (3cm) squares.

CHOCOLATE PRALINES

Steps:

• Line a large heavy baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside.
• Combine the sugars, heavy cream, and butter in a large heavy saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, until the sugars have dissolved, constantly stirring, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook until the mixture reaches the softball stage, 238 to 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer, another 3-4 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, add the pecans and chocolate chips, and stir vigorously until the pecans remain suspended in the mixture, about 2 minutes.
• Spoon onto prepared baking sheet, spreading with the back of the spoon to form a thin layer of uniform thickness. Cool completely and then crumble, as needed. (You can also make individual pralines by dropping the hot mixture by the spoonful onto the prepared baking sheet, letting cool, and then removing with a thin knife.).

CHOCOLATE PRALINE TORTE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and cream. Stir over low heat until butter is melted. Pour into two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Sprinkle with pecans; set aside. , Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Carefully pour batter over pecans. Bake at 325° for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; invert onto wire racks to cool completely. , For topping, beat cream in a bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff. , Place one cake layer, pecan side up, on a serving plate. Spread with half of the topping. Top with second cake layer and remaining topping. Sprinkle with chocolate curls if desired. Store in the refrigerator.

PRALINE CHOCOLATE DESSERT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with pecans., In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over pecans. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until set., In a large bowl, beat filling ingredients until smooth. Spread over praline layer. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until set., For ganache, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Spread over filling. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until set., Loosen sides of pan with a knife. Remove rim from pan. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate leftovers. ,

PRALINE-CHOCOLATE DESSERT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Stir together dry cake mix, butter and cocoa. Press evenly in ungreased 13x9x2-inch rectangular pan.
• Stir frosting, milk, raisins, flour and egg, using same bowl, until blended. Pour evenly over mixture in pan.
• Bake 45 to 48 minutes or until set. Serve warm or cool. Garnish each serving with remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate any remaining dessert.

CHOCOLATE PRALINE SQUARES

Steps:

• For crust, stir together flour and powdered sugar. Cut in the 3/4 cup butter until pieces are the size of small peas. Stir in the 1 1/2 cups pecans. Press into a lightly greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 325 degree F oven 25 minutes or until light brown.
• For filling, in a medium saucepan combine light and dark corn syrups, brown sugar, and the 1/4 cup butter. Bring to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Beat eggs with an electric mixer on low speed until mixed. Continue beating, slowly adding hot mixture. Stir in 2 cups pecans, peel, and vanilla.
• Pour filling onto crust. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Cool on a wire rack; chill to store. To serve, cut into squares. If desired, serve with Orange Cream and additional finely shredded orange peel.
• Orange Cream: Combine 1 cup whipping cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons dairy sour cream; beat until mixture starts to thicken. Add 1 tablespoon orange liqueur or 1/2 teaspoon orange extract, 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; beat on low speed just until soft peaks form (tips curl).

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH HAZELNUT PRALINE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Add the egg, egg yolks, vanilla extract, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon water to a medium heatproof bowl and whisk to combine. Set the bowl over a medium saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Cook, whisking constantly and scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until the mixture is pale, hot to the touch and has almost doubled in volume, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and continue to whisk until the egg mixture has cooled, about 2 minutes.
• Put the bittersweet and semisweet chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set it over the saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Meanwhile, whip the cream in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Once melted, remove the chocolate from the heat and gently stir for about 3 minutes to cool slightly. (If it is too warm it won't combine with the egg mixture or the whipped cream without seizing up.)
• Very slowly stream in and whisk the chocolate into the egg mixture until combined. (The mixture may get very thick.) Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in 3 additions until it is fully incorporated. Chill, covered, until firm, 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Add the remaining cup sugar to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Melt the sugar, swirling the pan and stirring frequently, until it becomes a deep amber color, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and fold in the hazelnuts. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and quickly spread very thin. Let sit at room temperature until hardened, about 1 hour. Once hardened, transfer to a cutting board and finely chop.
• To serve, place the serving plates in the freezer until very cold, about 10 minutes.
• If using melted chocolate and whipped cream for serving, prepare them: Put the semisweet chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set it over the saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Whip the cream in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Decorate the plates as desired with cocoa powder, melted chocolate or whipped cream. Place two spoons with deep bowls in a cup of boiling water. Remove the mousse from the refrigerator and spoon two quenelles onto each plate using the hot spoons (be sure to dry your spoons before forming the quenelles). Top with the hazelnut praline.

CREEPY CHOCOLATE BRAINS

Steps:

• Pour Puffcorn into a large bowl or roasting pan. In a smaller heat proof glass or metal bowl add candy melts and coconut oil. Place candy melt bowl on top of a small sauce pan with 1 inch of water. Turn heat to medium and slowly melt chocolate. Once chocolate is completely melted, pour over puffcorn. Stir well. Spread chocolate puffcorn onto 2 cookie sheets and allow to cool and dry. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.