Chocolate Wedges Recipes

MOCHA SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, beat butter with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture is very light, about 2 minutes. Stir vanilla and espresso powder together in a small bowl; add to butter mixture. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat until combined and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until dough just comes together, about 1 minute. Beat in cacao nibs. Press dough evenly into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan lined with parchment. Cover with plastic wrap and smooth top with hands or the bottom of a dry measuring cup. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a paring knife to cut dough into 48 bars, 8 across short side and 6 down long side. Use a fork or skewer to poke holes in top of each bar.
• Bake until set, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes, then recut bars. Let cool completely in pan before serving. Bars can be stored at room temperature up to 3 weeks.

RICH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE WEDGES WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter and chocolate in a microwave or double boiler, stirring until smooth.
• Let cool for about 10 minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until thick, about 5 minutes.
• Fold in the chocolate mixture.
• Stir in the flour, blending well.
• Pour into a greased and floured 9 inch springform pan.
• Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool completely on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile in a small saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until glaze is smooth and melted.
• Cool slightly.
• Run a knife around edge of springform pan to loosen truffle dessert and transfer to a serving plate.
• Spread glaze over top and sides.
• If you wish to add any"decoration", press lightly onto dessert at this point as glaze will harden as it dries.
• For Raspberry Sauce, puree the raspberries in a food processor or blender.
• Press through a sieve to discard seeds.
• Stir in sugar.
• If you prefer a sweeter sauce add more sugar to taste.
• To serve, cut into wedges{this is a very rich dessert so a little goes a long way}, and spoon Raspberry Sauce over the top of each wedge.
• Garnish with freshly whipped cream, raspberries, and a sprig of mint if desired.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300˚. Lightly butter the bottom and side of a 9-inch fluted tart pan. Combine the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, confectioners' sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until combined. Add the butter and vanilla and pulse until the flour is moistened and the dough just begins to clump together.
• Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork, about 30 times.
• Bake until the shortbread is lightly browned and set in the center, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then sprinkle with the chopped chocolate. Let the chocolate soften, about 5 minutes, then spread into a thin layer with an offset spatula, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Top with nonpareils; let cool completely.
• Remove the tart from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into thin wedges.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PECAN WEDGES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil; grease foil with shortening. In food processor, place flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, salt and 3/4 cup butter. Process until consistency of coarse crumbs. Add egg; process until dough forms a ball. Press in pan.
• Bake 15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on cooling rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. In 3-quart saucepan, cook brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup butter and honey over medium heat until butter melts. Increase heat to high; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in pecans, whipping cream and orange peel. Pour over crust.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until filling is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but center still jiggles slightly. Cool completely. Cut into 6 rows by 3 rows; cut each cookie in half diagonally. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Dip tip of each triangle into glaze. Sprinkle with salt.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED HAZELNUT SHORTBREAD WEDGES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. and butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. In a food processor grind fine the hazelnuts with the flour and the sugar, add the butter, and blend the mixture until it is combined well. Press half the dough evenly onto the bottom of each of the pans, cut through each round of dough with a small knife to score 16 wedges, and bake the shortbread in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, or until it is pale golden. While the shortbread is still warm, cut through the rounds again and let them cool in the pans on a rack. Choose 2 plates slightly smaller than the pans, put a plate directly on the surface of the shortbread, and invert the shortbread carefully onto it.
• In a metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water melt the chocolate with the shortening, stirring until the mixture is smooth, and transfer the mixture to a deep narrow cup or glass measure. Dip the points of the shortbread wedges into the chocolate mixture, coating them halfway and letting any excess drip off. Transfer the shortbread wedges as they are dipped to rack set over a sheet of wax paper and let them stand until the chocolate is set.