White Chocolate Almond And Orange Turtles Recipes

ORANGE & WHITE CHOCOLATE SPONGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the softened butter and orange zest. Beat for 1 min or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift the flour and baking powder over the cake mixture and fold in lightly. Finally, fold in the almonds and orange juice. Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Fold one-third of the egg white into the cake mix, using the whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over-mix or you will lose the lightness of the egg whites.
• Divide the cake mix between the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 mins. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave on High for 1½ mins, stirring every 30 secs, then leave to cool. Whip the crème fraîche until thick, then fold in the white chocolate. Set one cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon half the icing onto the cake and top with the other cake. Spread with the rest of the icing, then allow to set in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
• If you want to make the decorative curls, melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water or in a microwave and spread thinly over a baking tray. Leave the tray in the fridge for the chocolate to harden a bit, then use a cake slice or angled knife blade to scrape chocolate curls. Pile the curls in the middle of the cake and serve cut into slices.

THE BEST WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roast almonds on 1 baking sheet in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Microwave white chocolate melting wafers and butter in a microwave-safe bowl on medium-high for 1 minute 30 seconds; stir. Microwave until completely melted, 20 to 30 seconds more. Add almond extract and stir until smooth. Stir in toasted almonds.
• Spread chocolate mixture evenly onto the second baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator until hardened, about 1 hour. Break into small pieces by hand.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE ALMOND CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Place chocolate in top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and thin slightly with milk.
• Mix almonds and candied orange peel together in the bowl. Add chocolate and toss with a spatula until evenly coated.
• Spoon mixture into 1 1/2-inch mounds on a sheet of waxed or parchment paper. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

WHITE CHOCOLATE TURTLES

Steps:

• In a sauce pan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, cream, butter and pecans together. Stir over high heat until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the chocolate and boil the ingredients slowly to the firm ball stage, 248 degrees F. Stir in the vanilla. Using a wooden spoon, drop about a tablespoon for each candy onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let the caramels cool and set, about 5 minutes. Using a candy dipping fork, dip each caramel into the tempered chocolate. Place the chocolates back on the parchment on allow to set, about 5 minutes.

ORANGE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine the first three ingredients; press onto the bottom and 1-1/2 in up the sides of a greased 10-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes; cool completely. , In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in chocolate. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet , Bake at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until center is nearly set. Cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. , Combine the sour cream, sugar and extract; spread over filling. Bake at 450° for 5-7 minutes or until set. Chill, uncovered, 1 hour. Arrange oranges on cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Refrigerate leftovers.

WHITE CHOCOLATE, ALMOND, AND ORANGE TURTLES

Steps:

• Generously butter 2 baking sheets.
• On the baking sheets, arrange the almond slivers in star-like clusters so that they can represent the head and legs of a turtle. Be sure to leave about 2 inches of space between the clusters. Sprinkle a generous 1/4 teaspoon of the diced orange peel over the almonds.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the evaporated milk, the corn syrup, and sugar and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 1/2 cup evaporated milk and the 4 tablespoons of butter, and cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches the softball stage, 240 degrees F. Stir in the vanilla and remove from the heat. Let cool to 200 degrees F.
• Using a tablespoon, spoon caramel on top of each nut cluster and let harden. (If the caramel becomes too stiff to pour, return to low heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until it returns to the proper consistency.)
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the tempered chocolate over each cluster. Set aside in a cool place to harden. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, with waxed paper separating the layers to prevent sticking.

CRANBERRY ORANGE WHITE CHOCOLATE THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Chop or pulse dried cranberries to break into smaller pieces.
• Whisk flour and sugar.
• Cut butter into small pieces. Use a pastry cutter/fork/food processor to blend into small crumbs with flour mixture.
• Stir in dried cranberries, salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, orange zest, and orange juice.
• Mix until a large dough ball forms. I used a food processor but a stand mixer with a paddle attachment works, too or simply form the dough with your hands.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Scoop ¾ cookie dough and roll into a smooth ball. Place dough 1½ inches apart.
• Press thumb into center of dough ball.
• Bake in oven for 14-16 minutes.
• Press thumbprint or ½ tsp into center of baked dough again.
• Melt chocolate in a double boiler on low heat with cream or in a microwave on power level 4 until melted. TIP: Avoid using a spatula to stir mixture as the moisture from it can seize it. Use a metal spoon to stir.
• Fill the center of each cookie with white chocolate.
• Drizzle the tops of the cookies with white chocolate using 2 spoons dipped in the chocolate or simply whisk together powdered sugar and water until smooth then drizzle over the top of each cookie.