Chocolate Phyllo Purse Recipes

CHOCOLATE-FILLED FILO TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Break up 4 ounces of chocolate into 1/2-ounce pieces. Set aside.
• In a food processor, finely grind the remaining chocolate with the sugar.
• Lay 8 sheets of filo out on top of each other.
• Place one sheet lengthwise on the work surface. Keep the remaining sheets covered with a damp towel.
• Brush the sheet with some melted butter. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture. Place a second sheet over the sugared sheet. Butter the second sheet and sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Add 2 more sheets, buttering and sprinkling between each.Cut the filo horizontally into 4 even strips. Starting at the left side of one of the strips, place a 1/2-ounce piece of chocolate 2 inches from the end. Fold the filo that is to the left of the piece of chocolate over the chocolate toward the back side of the strip, making a 3-inch triangle. The left end of the filo should be even with the back edge. Fold the piece of chocolate to the right, over itself, retaining the triangular shape. Fold the chocolate piece toward the front edge of the strip. Continue wrapping the chocolate, alternating the direction with each fold, until you get to the end. (It is like folding a flag.) Wrap the other strips in the same manner.
• With the remaining sheets, make 4 more chocolate-filled triangles.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the triangles on the baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER PHYLLO PURSES

Steps:

• For brownies:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper. Melt chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in large bowl until thick and pale. Stir chocolate mixture into yolk mixture. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Carefully fold egg whites into chocolate mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Press down edges until even with middle of brownies. Cool completely. Using 2 1/4-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out 12 rounds. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature.)
• For ganache:
• Bring 1/4 cup whipping cream and vanilla extract to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until completely melted. Refrigerate ganache until firm, about 1 hour. (Ganache can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly butter rimmed baking sheet. Stir peanut butter and 4 teaspoons sugar in small bowl to blend. Cut each phyllo sheet in half crosswise to form twelve 13x81/2-inch strips. Place 1 phyllo strip vertically on work surface. Brush with melted butter. Place second phyllo strip horizontally across first, forming cross; brush with butter. Stack 2 brownies in center of pastry. Top brownies with 1 tablespoon ganache and 1 tablespoon peanut butter mixture. Gather ends of phyllo strips together over brownies to form purse. Twist ends closed. Brush purse with melted butter and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients to form total of 6 purses. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.) Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve with ice cream.