STRAWBERRY COGNAC RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a small bowl and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Put the flour mixture in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and shortening and pulse about 10 times, or until the butter is in the size of peas. Add the ice water and process until the dough comes together. Dump on a well-floured board and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Roll out the dough and fit into 4 (4 1/2-inch) tart pans with removable sides. Don't stretch the dough when placing it in the pans or it will shrink during baking. Cut off the excess by rolling the pin across the top of each pan. Line the tart shells with a piece of buttered aluminum foil, butter side down, and fill them with dried beans or rice. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the beans and foil, prick the bottom of the shells all over with a fork, and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
• Before serving, fill the tart shells with the pastry cream. Arrange the berries decoratively on top of the cream. Melt the apricot jelly with 1 teaspoon of water and brush the top of the tarts. Sprinkle with pistachios, if using, and serve.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed for 4 minutes, or until very thick. Reduce to low speed, and add the cornstarch.
• With the mixer still on low, slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture. Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. Don't be alarmed when the custard comes to a boil and appears to curdle; switch to a whisk and beat vigorously. Cook, whisking constantly, for another 2 minutes; the custard will come together and become very thick, like pudding. Stir in the vanilla, Cognac, butter, and heavy cream. Pour the custard through a sieve into a bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on the custard and refrigerate until cold.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; line pans with cooking parchment paper. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Pour batter into pans.
• Bake 25 to 29 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely.
• In small bowl, mix coffee syrup ingredients. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat mascarpone cheese, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cognac and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. In small bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until combined.
• To assemble, cut each cake horizontally to make 2 layers. Place 1 cake layer on plate; moisten generously with coffee syrup, then spread with about 1 cup of the filling. Repeat with remaining 3 cake layers. Spread remaining filling over top and side of cake.
• Sprinkle cocoa over cake. Arrange coffee beans around top edge of cake. Sprinkle chopped chocolate around bottom edge of cake. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.