Phyllo Cups With Chocolate Mousse And Fresh Fruit Recipes

PHYLLO CUPS WITH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND FRESH FRUIT

Steps:

• For phyllo cups:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously butter every other cup in 12-cup muffin pan. Place 1 phyllo rectangle on work surface; cover remaining phyllo with plastic wrap and damp cloth to prevent drying. Brush rectangle with melted butter; sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 tablespoon hazelnuts. Place second phyllo rectangle atop first; brush with butter and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 tablespoon hazelnuts. Repeat 3 more times; top with 1 more rectangle and brush with butter, making stack of 6 rectangles. Using small sharp knife and 6-inch-diameter plate as guide, cut out two 6-inch round stacks. Press each stack into 1 buttered muffin cup. Repeat procedure 2 more times, making 4 more phyllo cups (6 total).
• Bake phyllo cups until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Immediately lift phyllo cups from pan, twisting carefully to loosen; place on rack. Cool completely. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)
• For mousse:
• Whisk egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, butter, 1/4 cup water, and espresso powder in large metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not let bowl touch water); whisk constantly until thermometer inserted into mixture registers 160°F, about 3 minutes. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Turn off heat; leave bowl over water.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff and glossy. Remove chocolate from over water. Fold 1/3 of beaten whites into warm chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining whites. Cover and chill until set, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Fill phyllo cups with mousse (reserve remaining mousse for another use). Top with raspberries and diced pears and serve.

CHOCOLATE-NUT PHYLLO CUPS

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan stir together honey and cornstarch. Add half and half or light cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes . Remove from heat. Gradually stir some of the hot mixture into the egg yolks. Return all to saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes longer. Move to a small bowl. Cover surface with clear plastic wrap. Chill.
• In a bowl combine ground walnuts and granulated sugar. Set aside. Unfold phyllo. Place one sheet of phyllo on work surface; brush with some of the 3 tablespoons melted margarine or butter. Sprinkle evenly with one-third of the nut mixture. Repeat brushing, sprinkling, and layering 2 times. Cover with remaining sheet of phyllo; brush top with melted margarine or butter. Trim edges. Cut phyllo stack crosswise in fourths, and then lengthwise in thirds, to form twelve 4-inch squares.
• Gently press phyllo squares into twelve greased 2-1/2-inch muffin cups, allowing edges to extend upward.
• Bake in a 350*F. oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden. Cool completely on a wire rack. Carefully remove cups from pan. (If desired, cups may be baked ahead of time, then placed in a rigid plastic container and frozen up to 1 week. To thaw: let stand at room temperature 20-30 minutes.)
• To serve:
• In a small, heavy saucepan melt the 1 ounce chocolate and the 1 tablespoon margarine or butter over low heat, stirring until smooth, Remove from heat. Stir in the powdered sugar and the first 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Add hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches drizzling consistency. Lightly drizzle melted chocolate on dessert plates. Sift cocoa powder over chocolate. (Chocolate can also be drizzled over edges and insides of cups.)
• In a small, chilled mixing bowl, beat the whipping cream and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form; fold in chilled egg yolk mixture. Spoon cream into each phyllo cup. Top each with grated chocolate, if desired.Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Serve immediately. Makes 12 servings.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PHYLLO CUPS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Lightly coat one sheet of phyllo dough with cooking spray. Lay second sheet of phyllo dough on first; coat with cooking spray. Lay third sheet of phyllo dough on second; coat with cooking spray. Cut into 12 squares.
• Fit squares into each of 12 muffin tins. Repeat with 3 more sheets of phyllo dough, fitting squares over existing squares in muffin tin so cups are formed.
• Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Cool on rack.
• While cups are baking, combine cocoa, extract and syrup until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Divide among phyllo cups. Combine berries and top each cup with 1/4 cup of berries.