Chocolate Fig Kisses Recipes

WARM FIG AND CHOCOLATE SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit/190 degrees Celsius.
• Add 1/4 cup/50 grams sugar to a small, oven-proof, high-sided sauté pan with a 6-inch/15-centimeter base (or similar). Cook over medium-high heat, swirling the pan a few times, until the sugar has melted and turned a dark caramel color, 5 to 8 minutes. Carefully add the rum - it will spit and seize up a little - and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring until combined and thick. Remove from the heat, stir in the orange juice and figs, and set aside to cool.
• Add the egg yolks to a medium bowl along with 2 tablespoons/25 grams sugar. Whisk by hand until pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Add the cream, flour, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt and orange zest, then whisk until smooth and thick.
• In another medium bowl, using a clean whisk, whisk the egg whites by hand with the remaining 2 tablespoons/25 grams sugar until they form stiff peaks, 4 to 5 minutes. Fold gently into the yolk batter, then pour the mixture over the figs in the sauté pan (it should cover the figs completely).
• Sprinkle all over with the chocolate and bake until the batter rises and is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, divide among four bowls and drizzle with any remaining liquid from the pan. Serve hot, with some crème fraîche alongside.

CHOCOLATE AND FIG TART

Steps:

• For the crust: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter and, working quickly with the tips of your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the size of chickpeas. Make a well in the center and add the egg yolks, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk (reserving the last tablespoon if needed to moisten). Work the flour into the well until it comes together. Knead one or two times in the bowl for a smooth ball. Flour your hands well and press the dough into a tart pan. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• For the filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the figs, orange juice and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar in a small bowl. Set aside for 15 minutes.
• Melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler. Set aside. Add the ricotta, sour cream, egg yolk, remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, salt, cream and orange zest to a medium bowl. Whisk together until smooth. Add the chocolate and marinated figs with their juice; stir until combined. Pour the filling into the tart shell and spread evenly. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the crust is deep golden brown and the filling is puffed and beginning to crack, about 40 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature for 1 hour before refrigerating until fully chilled, about 2 hours.
• Slice into wedges, dust with powdered sugar and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.