GOURMET CHOCOLATE RECIPES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. and grease pans. Line bottoms with rounds of wax paper and grease paper.
• Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
• Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly and lemon colored (about 3 minutes with a standing mixer or 5 minutes with a hand-held mixer). Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well. Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well. Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Cool layers completely in pans on racks. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks. Carefully remove wax paper and cool layers completely. Cake layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature.
• Finely chop chocolate. In a 1½- to 2-quart saucepan bring cream, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over moderately low heat, whisking until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted. Cut butter into pieces and add to frosting, whisking until smooth.
• Transfer frosting to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, until spreadable (depending on chocolate used, it may be necessary to chill frosting to spreadable consistency).
• Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides. Cake keeps, covered and chilled, 3 days. Bring cake to room temperature before serving.

Steps:

• Melt milk chocolate chips in double boiler or in microwave (be careful not to burn in the micro).
• If you are using the white chocolate, wait until later before melting unless you can keep it over warm water.
• Dip each pretzel rod about 2/3 of the way up in chocolate.
• Lay on wax paper lined baking sheets, lining up the rods but leave a bit of space between them.
• Allow to set a little, but not completely dry (while waiting, make sure your white chocolate is ready).
• Dip a fork into the white chocolate and drizzle over the milk chocolate by gently swishing the fork back and forth over the rods but not touching them.
• Place your sprinkles or candies on a paper plate and roll each pretzel rod in desired topping (or just sprinkle on).
• Lay back on wax paper to set completely.
• These look great displayed in, or given in, a unique glass or mug.