Gratuitous Chocolate Moment

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Ok, I wasn't going to do any Chocolate Moments for awhile, but I found these two recipes and could resist. I guess that is why I call them "Gratuitous" Chocolate Moments ;)


French Chocolate Bark

Ingredients

9 1/2 ounces very good semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
8 ounces very good bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup whole roasted, salted cashews
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Melt the 2 chocolates in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water.

Meanwhile, line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw a 9 by 10-inch rectangle on the paper. Turn the paper facedown on the baking sheet.

Pour the melted chocolate over the paper and spread to form a rectangle, using the outline. Sprinkle the cashews, apricots and cranberries over the chocolate. Set aside for 2 hours until firm. Cut the bark in 1 by 3-inch pieces and serve at room temperature.


Amaretto Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts

Ingredients

2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for pan
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
1 1/2 cups walnuts
Powdered sugar, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a 9 by 9 square baking pan with parchment paper, making sure paper hangs over the edges. Grease paper with butter so the brownies don't stick. Melt butter and chocolate over a double-boiler and stir gently until smooth and shiny. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl and set aside. Whisk together eggs, sugar and amaretto in a mixing bowl until combined. Pour in chocolate mixture and continue to whisk until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, then add walnuts and incorporate with a wooden spoon. Transfer batter to baking pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the pan. When done, invert onto a cutting board, remove paper and cut into squares. Garnish with powdered sugar and serve.


Brownie Sundaes

Ingredients

3/4 cups heavy cream
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso powder
6 brownies (see Amaretto Chocolate Brownie recipe above)
1 quart vanilla ice cream

Directions

Melt the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in a bowl over simmering water until smooth, stirring occasionally. Place a brownie on each plate, top with a scoop of ice cream, and serve with warm chocolate sauce.


Source: Ina Garten/The Barefoot Contessa/Tyler Florence/The Food Network