Three Colours Chocolate Crme Recipes

THREE-CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with foil; grease foil with 1 tablespoon butter., In a heavy large saucepan, combine sugars, milk and cubed butter. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in marshmallows and vanilla until blended., Gradually stir in chocolate chips and chopped chocolate until melted. Fold in pecans. Immediately spread into prepared pan. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Remove foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using) together in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or you can use a whisk) mix the oil, eggs, and vanilla together on medium-high speed until combined. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the hot water/coffee, and whisk or beat on low speed until the batter is completely combined. Batter is thin.
• Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Note: Even if they're completely done, the cooled cakes may *slightly* sink in the center. Cocoa powder is simply not as structurally strong as all-purpose flour and can't hold up to all the moisture necessary to make a moist tasting chocolate cake. It's normal!)
• Remove the cakes from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy - about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 1 full minute. Do not over-whip. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar or cocoa powder if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. (I usually add 1 more.) Taste. Add another pinch of salt if desired.
• If cooled cakes are domed on top, use a large serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to create a flat surface. This is called "leveling" the cakes. Discard or crumble over finished cake. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer and spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I always use an icing spatula and bench scraper for the frosting. Garnish with chocolate chips, if desired.
• Refrigerate cake for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

THREE-LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH IRISH COFFEE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper, then spray with baking spray. Place a large aluminum mixing bowl in the freezer.
• Place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Whisk hot coffee and cocoa together in a separate bowl until smooth; stir in buttermilk.
• Cream brown sugar, butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating briefly after each addition. Mix in cooled chocolate. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with buttermilk mixture, beating batter briefly after each addition. Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or cooling rack and remove parchment paper. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
• Flip cakes over and trim the top of each one to make it flat. Drizzle 1/4 cup cream liqueur over each cake and allow to soak in while you make the frosting.
• Remove aluminum bowl from the freezer; add heavy cream and instant coffee granules. Beat with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until soft peaks start to form. Add powdered sugar and whisk until medium peaks form. Add pudding mix gradually on low speed. Fold in cream liqueur. Taste and adjust with more powdered sugar, if needed.
• Place one cake on a serving plate, top with 1/3 of the fudge sauce, and spread a generous layer of coffee frosting on top; repeat with the second layer. Add the remaining cake and top with remaining fudge sauce. Crumb-coat the sides of the cake lightly with frosting.
• Fit a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip and fill with frosting. Pipe 1 vertical line of dots from the bottom to the top edge of the cake. Place a spoon over the center of each dot and drag to create a petal effect, wiping the spoon clean after each swipe. Pipe another line of dots in the tails of the previous petals and repeat dragging motion. Continue to pipe dots and create petals around the entire cake, finishing with a line of dots.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• For a 1.2 litre terrine, cut a strip of greaseproof paper as long as the tin and wide enough to cover the bottom and come up both long sides, with about 7.5cm to spare. Put the paper in the tin as if to line it, then draw a line across the paper on both sides where it meets the bottom edge, and the top edge, of the tin. Take the paper out of the tin and draw two lines at equal intervals between the bottom and top edge lines you have already drawn. (This will help you make each layer exactly the same depth when filling the tin.) Lightly grease the paper and use to line the tin.
• Whip a third of the cream to just soft peak stage, then chill. Melt the milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water or microwave on High for 2 mins. Whisk 2 egg yolks and 25g/1oz sugar in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water with a hand-held electric blender for about 2-3 mins until the mixture has at least doubled in volume. Once you have reached this stage, remove the bowl from the heat and keep whisking, adding the melted chocolate - this not only incorporates the chocolate, but also cools the mixture more quickly. Leave to cool for a few minutes, then carefully fold in the whipped cream.
• Quickly whisk two egg whites into soft peaks, making sure the bowl and whisk are spotless to ensure the maximum volume is obtained. Using a large metal spoon, carefully fold the egg white into the chocolate mixture so you don't knock out too much air.
• Pour mixture into the terrine, filling it to first mark (any extra can be frozen), then freeze for 20-30 mins before starting the white chocolate mixture. Repeat process with white chocolate, then the plain; cover with plastic film and freeze completely. To guarantee a good set, make terrine at least 8-10 hrs or up to 2 days before.
• Dip the tin briefly in a large bowl of hot water. Put a chopping board or flat plate on top and invert the mousse. Gently remove the paper and open freeze for about 10 mins to re-set. To decorate, pipe an outline of melted plain chocolate in a teardrop shape onto each plate. Dust the plates lightly with icing sugar, then carefully fill the teardrop with cream. Slice the mousse, wiping the knife after each cut, and put a slice on each plate. Decorate with chocolate curls and serve at once.

TRIPLE PASTRY CREAM CROQUEMBOUCHE

Steps:

• For the puffs: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a large saucepan set over medium-high heat, bring 2 cups water, the butter, sugar and salt to a rolling boil, then immediately remove the pan from the heat. Stirring with a wooden spoon, add the flour all at once and stir hard until all the flour is incorporated, 30 to 60 seconds. Return the pan to the heat and cook, stirring, to cook off some of the moisture, 30 seconds.
• Scrape the mixture into a bowl. Using a hand mixer set on low to medium speed, add 8 of the eggs, one at a time, stopping after each addition to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix until the dough is smooth and glossy and the eggs are completely incorporated. The dough should be thick, but should fall slowly and steadily from the beaters when you lift them out of the bowl.
• Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip. Pipe the dough in big dollops onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Whisk the remaining 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the surface of the dough with the egg wash to push down any points. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375 degrees F, and bake until puffed up and light golden brown, about 20 minutes more. The puffs should have a crust, but also still be soft. Avoid opening the oven door while the puffs bake. Cool the puffs on the baking sheet.
• For the fillings: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, cook the milk until it just begins to bubble along the edges. In a bowl, whisk the sugar and yolks until light and fluffy. Add the cornstarch and whisk vigorously until no lumps remain. Whisk in 1/4 cup of the hot milk until incorporated, being careful to avoid scrambling the eggs. Whisk in the remaining hot milk mixture, reserving the empty saucepan for a later use.
• Pour the pastry cream through a fine mesh strainer back into the saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and comes to a slow boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Remove one-third of the pastry cream to a bowl. Then add the chocolate into the larger batch of pastry cream and stir until the chocolate is completely incorporated. Divide the chocolate cream into two bowls, adding the mint to one batch and the orange to the other. Add the melted caramel and cinnamon to the plain pastry cream, stirring to combine. Cover all three creams with plastic wrap, lightly pressing the plastic against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
• Use a plain pastry tip to poke a hole in the bottom of each puff. Place each of the pastry creams into a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Separate the puffs into three equal piles and fill each pile with one of the pastry creams.
• For the caramel: Place the sugar, corn syrup and 2/3 cup water in a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture reaches a deep amber color, the thermometer will read about 350 degrees F. Remove from the heat. Then quickly but carefully, dip the bottom and sides of the puffs in the caramel to start building the tower. Create a large circle of puffs as the base, then a second, slightly smaller circle on top of the first to draw the circle in and create a tower of cream puffs. Repeat for the remaining puffs. Check it from all sides occasionally to make sure it's straight. When the tower is finished, drizzle the remaining caramel all over and then decorate as desired.

CHOCOLATE COEURS A LA CREME

Steps:

• Using an electric standing mixer, fitted with wire attachment, add the heavy cream. Whip the cream to soft peaks. Set the cream aside. Change the wire attachment to a paddle attachment. In another bowl, cream the cream cheese, 1/2 cup melted chocolate, and orange liqueur. Mix thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the bowl, occasionally. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.
• Line 6 small heart-shaped ceramic molds with dampened cheesecloth, allow the cheesecloth to hang over the sides of the mold. Fill each mold with the chocolate filling. Fold the overlapping cheesecloth over the filling, covering tightly. Place the molds on a baking sheet and refrigerate overnight, at least 12 hours. Remove the hearts from the molds and discard the cheesecloth.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip each strawberry in the 1 cup melted chocolate, about 3/4 of the strawberry. Place the strawberries on the baking sheet and chill the berries until the chocolate is set, about 4 to 6 hours. Serve the hearts on individual plates with the strawberries and cookies.

THREE-LAYER CHOCOLATE GANACHE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Beat in mayonnaise, coffee and vanilla. Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For filling, in a small heavy saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool completely. In a large bowl, cream butter. Gradually beat in cooled mixture. Stir in chocolate chips., For ganache, place chocolate in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate, covered, until cold. Beat ganache just until soft peaks form, 15-30 seconds (do not overbeat)., Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with ganache. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate, cream and butter. Microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, stirring twice. Cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over cake, allowing some to flow over sides. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

CHOCOLATE CREME CARAMEL

Steps:

• Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a roasting pan or a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with a double thickness of paper towels. Have it and four 6-to-8-ounce ramekins at hand. Bring a kettle of water to a boil.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons of the sugar and sprinkle the remaining sugar over the bottom of a small skillet or saucepan, preferably nonstick, and put the pan over medium-high heat. When you see the sugar start to melt around the edges, begin stirring it in small circles, making your way around the edges and then going deeper into the center of the pan, until all the sugar is melted, blended, bubbling and, most important, a medium amber color; stay with the caramel, because the color changes in seconds. You can check the color by dropping a bit on a white plate. As soon as it's the right color, pull the pan from the heat and, being very, very careful (caramel is ferociously hot and sticky), divide it among the ramekins. Hold the ramekins by their tops and swirl to coat the bottoms with caramel. You'll never get the caramel perfectly even, and that will never matter. Place the ramekins in the roasting pan.
• Put the milk and the reserved 2 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Put the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and pour the hot milk over it. Let stand for about 5 minutes to melt.
• Meanwhile, put the eggs in a medium bowl and whisk them for about 1 minute; they'll pale a bit. Using a heatproof spatula, stir the chocolate and milk together until smooth. Then, stirring the eggs without stopping, gradually pour the hot chocolate milk over the eggs and stir until blended. You'll have bubbles on top of the creme, don't worry: You're going to turn the custards over and no one will ever see the bottoms.
• Divide the custard among the ramekins. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Carefully slide the pan into the oven.
• Bake the custards for 35 to 45 minutes, or until they are firm around the edges and just jiggly in the center. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and carefully place the ramekins on a cooling rack. Leave the ramekins at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then transfer them to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours, or until they are thoroughly cold, before serving. (You can make these 1 day ahead; cover and keep refrigerated.)
• When you're ready to serve, run a table knife around the edges of the ramekins, then turn the custards over onto small plates with raised rims. You might have to shake the ramekins a little or tap them gently against the plate to cajole the custards to come out, but fear not -- they won't stick.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COLOUR CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven 190C/Fan 170C/Gas 5. Butter 3 20cm sandwich tins and line with non-stick baking paper.
• Into 3 bowls, put a 3rd of the ingredients for each layer - ex. 100g caster sugar into 3 bowls. Do this until all the cake ingredients are in. Mix the 3 cake mixes in their separate bowls until you have a smooth paste.Put in a drop of each food colouring into the different bowls.Divide the mixtures into the cake tins.
• Put the 3 tins in the oven for about 25mins, if still to light leave them in. While baking, melt the white chocolate (any method you want). Crush the digestives and mix together with the white chocolate for your topping.
• When the cakes are out, let them cool for about 10 - 20 mins, and then alternatley put them on a plate, cover them in a tub of your choice, and then put the next layer on the first , and cover it, and then the last until the cake is covered in the 2 icings.
• Lastly, decorate the top with the chocolate biscuit mix, making sure it does not flow over the edge. Keep in the fridge or an airtight container in case you are eating it on later days.