SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE WAFERS RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the sauce, in a small bowl, combine the chocolate and 1/2 cup milk or cream and melt gently in a barely simmering water bath or microwave on Medium (50 percent) power for about 2 minutes.
• Stir until smooth.
• Add more liquid if the sauce seems too thick or look curdled.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Use warm fondue immediately or set aside until needed and rewarm briefly.
• Have forks, skewers, or pretty (or goofy) swizzle sticks available for guests to dip with.
• If the fondue gets too thick or cool, reheat gently (without boiling) for 1 minute in the microwave on Medium (50percent) power or set in a pan of barely simmering water.
• Leftover sauce keeps several days in the refrigerator.
• It is a prefect topping for ice cream.
• Note: This is a versatile recipe that can be tailored to your taste and the type of chocolate you are using.
• For the most intense chocolate fondue, use milk, rather than half-and-half or cream, and omit the butter.
• For even greater intensity, choose a bittersweet chocolate labeled anywhere from 66 percent to 70 percent and use the greater amount of liquid called for.
• Butter or cream results in a softer, mellower chocolate flavor.
• Ideas for dipping: Kumquats or segments of seedless clementines, oranges, or ruby grapefruit- If possible, separate the citrus into segments without breaking the membrane.
• If you set the segments on a rack to dry in a warm place or in the oven, preheated to 200° F, then turned off for several hours, the membrane will dry like crisp paper and the juices will burst in your mouth when you take a bite.
• Chunks of pineapple Chunks of fresh coconut or large curls of dried coconut Chunks of banana Dried fruit such as apricot, mango, papaya, pineapple, or Bing cherries Strips of good-quality candied orange, grapefruit or lemon peel Cubes of pound cake or angel food cake, or toasted cubes of brioche or challah Cigarette cookies, fan wafers, graham crackers or digestive biscuits, or pretzels Marshmallows or meringues Toasted shaved almonds (to sprinkle on after dipping).

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1-1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on baking sheet and bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325°. , For filling, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small heavy saucepan, heat cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add cocoa and beat well. Add eggs; beat on low just until combined. Stir in vanilla and the melted chocolate mixture just until blended. Pour over crust. Return pan to baking sheet., Bake for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. For topping, place chocolate chips in a bowl. In a small heavy saucepan, heat cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Spread over filling. Cool pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., Remove sides of pan. Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream and miniature chocolate kisses if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.