Chocolate Biscuit Wreath Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
• Butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan; set aside. Toss the hazelnuts and cookies in a large bowl. Combine the butter, golden syrup and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the butter is melted (do not boil). Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, cocoa powder and vanilla until smooth, then whisk in the chocolate-hazelnut spread.
• Pour the chocolate mixture over the cookie mixture and stir to coat. Transfer to the prepared pan and press down evenly until tightly packed. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Make the ganache: Put the chocolate in a small bowl. Heat the heavy cream and golden syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the syrup dissolves and the mixture is just bubbling around the edges. Pour over the chocolate and let stand 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Let sit at room temperature until thickened but still pourable, 30 minutes to 1 hour. (It should look like a soft pudding.)
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature, 45 minutes. Remove the springform ring and invert the cake onto a cake stand or serving plate; remove the bottom of the pan. Pour about one-third of the cooled ganache over the top of the cake and gently spread with a small offset spatula, allowing the excess to drip down the sides. Repeat with the remaining ganache in two more batches until the top and sides of the cake are covered. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips around the top edge of the cake.

Steps:

• Line a 6- or 8-inch round cake pan with foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Break each of the biscuits into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
• In medium bowl, place 1 1/3 cup chocolate chips; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 2/3 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat, stirring until butter is melted and mixture comes to a boil. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and stir smooth.
• Add biscuit pieces to chocolate mixture, gently fold until all pieces are coated. Spoon into the prepared cake pan. Gently press mixture into pan. Refrigerate cake for 3 hours or until firm.
• Remove cake from cake pan and turn upside down onto a serving plate. Remove foil. In small bowl place remaining 2/3 cup chocolate chips. In 1-quart saucepan, heat remaining 1/3 cup whipping cream and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat, stirring until butter is melted and mixture comes to a boil. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and stir smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the cake; frost top and sides using a butter knife or offset spatula. If desired, decorate with melted milk chocolate.

Steps:

• Lightly butter an 8-by-2-inch spring-form pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Place bowl on top of a saucepan filled with 1 inch of simmering water. Stir mixture occasionally until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from saucepan; set aside.
• In another medium bowl, whisk together egg, sugar, and water. Place over the pot of simmering water; whisk until pale, fluffy, and thick, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove bowl from heat; whisk in chocolate and rum, if using. Let cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Fold crushed cookies, half the walnuts, and half the cherries into chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared pan; smooth top with a spatula. Sprinkle remaining nuts and cherries on top. Cover; chill until set, about 1 hour. Serve with whipped cream, if using.