Chocolatefruitandcashewclusters Recipes

EASIEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans, or place liners in 2 muffin pans for 24 cupcakes. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix the vanilla extract, oil, vinegar, and cold water.
• Slowly whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. The mixture will be quite wet, but this is okay.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. For cupcakes, the baking time is 24 to 26 minutes.
• Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool.

EASY CHOCOLATE CUSTARD

Steps:

• Beat eggs and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until combined; set aside.
• Whisk milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, brandy, and salt together in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling and thickened, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
• Slowly pour 1/2 of the milk mixture into the beaten eggs while stirring; pour mixture back into the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not boil.
• Let custard cool to room temperature, at least 10 minutes. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.

BEST MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

CHOCOLATE CASHEW CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Prepare a large sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper and setting it in the refrigerator to chill.
• Use a double boiler or microwave to melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips together.
• Once the chocolate has completely melted, add in the cashews and toffee bits. Mix until the cashews and toffee bits are completely covered in chocolate.
• Use a 2-inch cookie scoop to scoop out mounds of the mixture onto the chilled sheet pan.
• Sprinkle it with sea salt and optional sprinkles.
• Let the clusters set by chilling them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or by leaving it at room temperature for 45 minutes. They should be hardened so that they stick together and the chocolate is solid.
• Plate and serve.

CHOCOLATE CASHEW CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan over low heat, cook and stir the chocolates until melted. Remove from heat; stir in cashews and toffee bits. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes or until set. Store in an airtight container.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH FUDGE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F (177°C). Prepare four 8-inch round cake pans with parchment rounds, and grease the sides. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, sift flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk to combine, set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Lower the speed to medium-low and add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the vanilla and instant coffee granules. Add the sour cream to the batter along with the vanilla coffee mixture and beat on medium speed until combined.
• Alternately add dry ingredients in thirds and buttermilk in 2 additions to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat each addition just until combined. Divide batter equally between the cake pans, a little over 2 cups per pan.
• Bake two layers at a time for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool in pans for about 10 minutes, then turn onto cooling racks to cool completely before frosting. Or at this point, you can wrap all the cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze or refrigerate until ready to assemble.
• Put chocolate in a heat-safe bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5-6 minutes. \
• Turn the mixer to low, and gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, along with the cocoa powders.
• Once incorporated, add hot water, sour cream, vanilla and salt and beat until combined. Pour in cooled melted chocolate and mix on low to combine.
• Once the chocolate is combined, increase mixer speed to high and whip until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
• Once cake layers are completely cooled, place one layer on a turntable. Using an offset spatula, spread about 1 cup of the fudge frosting on top. Repeat with all layers, placing the final layer upside down.
• Frost the entire cake in a thick layer of fudge frosting. Use the back of a spoon to create swirls in the frosting. Top with mini chocolate chips of fresh fruit. Enjoy!