Classic Chocolate Cups Recipes

Steps:

• Add the milk chocolate and chocolate chips to a double boiler and heat, stirring, until melted and glossy, 6 to 8 minutes. Pour the melted chocolate into a pitcher, then pour into 24 paper candy cups, filling them about two-thirds full. Leave to set slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Top 6 of the cups with a single chocolate-covered espresso bean pressed into the center. Top 6 with sprinkles and 6 with chopped toffee bars. Top the remaining 6 with a piece of Sugared Orange Peel. Leave to set fully, about 3 hours.
• Remove the orange peels carefully, avoiding the pith, then cut the peels into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
• Add the peels and 1 cup cold water to a pan, bring to a boil and cook for 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Add 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a pan. Heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup is boiling. Add the peels, reduce to a simmer and cook, swirling the pan from time to time, for 20 minutes. Drain and set the peels aside to cool on a rack for 10 minutes.
• Add the remaining 1 cup sugar to a baking sheet. Add the peels and roll in the sugar to coat. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to set, about 30 minutes.

Steps:

• Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven, and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Beat the butter and both sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a second large bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs to the butter mixture, one at time, beating after each addition to incorporate; beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to medium, add the flour mixture, and beat until just incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Scoop 12 heaping tablespoons of dough onto each prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Roll each into a ball with slightly wet hands. Bake until the cookies are golden but still soft in the center, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
• When the baking sheets have cooled completely, scoop the remaining dough onto 1 sheet and bake. Store the cookies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Variations:
• For cakey cookies: Replace the light brown sugar and granulated sugar with 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar. Bake at 375 degrees F until golden and tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For crispy-cakey cookies: Bake the cookies at 425 degrees F until golden and crunchy on the outside, 8 to 10 minutes.
• For chewy cookies: Use 1 cup light brown sugar and 1/4 cup corn syrup and omit the granulated sugar. Bake at 375 degrees F until golden and crunchy on the outside, and chewy on the inside, 10 to 12 minutes.
• For super-chewy cookies: Substitute cake flour for all-purpose flour. Bake at 375 degrees F until golden with caramelized edges, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For extra-crispy cookies: Bake the cookies at 300 degrees F until flat and crunchy, 24 to 28 minutes.

Steps:

• Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add cold butter and pulse until crumbly. Slowly add water to food processor until mixture comes together. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Flour a work surface and a rolling pin. Roll out dough into a 10-inch disc.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch tart pan.
• Carefully place dough into the prepared tart pan. Trim dough from the edges of the pan. Prick holes into the dough on the bottom and along the sides of the pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 20 to 23 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Pour heavy whipping cream into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes or until bubbles start to form along outside of the bowl. Add chocolate chips and let sit for 15 to 20 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Pour chocolate ganache into cooled crust. Let cool at room temperature until set, about 30 minutes. Keep refrigerated.

Steps:

• For mousse: Heat whipping cream gently in double-boiler or small saucepan until it comes to a simmer.
• Remove from heat and add chocolate.
• Stir until the chocolate has completely melted.
• Whisk in the egg yolks and brandy.
• Set aside to cool completely.
• Beat 1/3 cup cream, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl to stiff peaks.
• Fold into cooled chocolate mixture.
• Spoon into wineglasses.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
• For cream: Beat cream, sugar and brandy in medium bowl to soft peaks.
• Top mousse with dollops of cream.

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating until smooth after each addition. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13x9-in. baking pan. , Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. When cake is cool, dust with confectioners' sugar or top with your favorite frosting.

Steps:

• Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
• Combine sugar, cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Stir to blend, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer. Do not stir again.
• Place candy thermometer in pan and cook until temperature reaches 238 degrees F(114 degrees C). If you are not using a thermometer, then cook until a drop of this mixture in a cup of cold water forms a soft ball. Feel the ball with your fingers to make sure it is the right consistency. It should flatten when pressed between your fingers.
• Remove from heat. Add butter or margarine and vanilla extract. Beat with a wooden spoon until the fudge loses its sheen. Do not under beat.
• Pour into prepared pan and let cool. Cut into about 60 squares.

Steps:

• Chocolate and tahini: Place milk chocolate in large bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl does not actually touch the water. As the chocolate melts, stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. Remove from heat, wipe bottom of bowl, and place on a dry towel on the countertop.
• Fold in tahini in three batches, turning bowl until well combined. Fold in half the butter; when it's fully combined, slowly stir in the rest until very smooth, making sure there are no air bubbles. Note: It is necessary to completely emulsify the tahini. Empty jar into the bowl of a mixer and beat, using paddle attachment, until smooth and oil is combined, about 30 seconds on medium speed. This can also be done by hand, by whisking until very smooth and oil is combined. Keep at room temperature.
• Assembly: Place foil cups into mini muffin pans. Fill each to the top of the foil cup with chocolate-tahini mixture. Tap the pan on the countertop to settle the mixture. Sprinkle a few toasted sesame seeds in the center of each candy. Refrigerate until set, 1 hour. Remove from pans and devour.

Steps:

• In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until smooth.
• With the brush, spread the chocolate mixture on the inside (bottom and sides) of the foil or paper cups. Place on a baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm; about 45 minutes.
• Just before assembling, remove the foil or paper cup.
• Fill with desired filling.