Dark Chocolate Mousse & Hazelnut Rice Krispy Cake

Before we move deeper into the recipe, I contemplated a long time whether this should go onto my post. A simple reason really as I don't think I did enough justice to this decadent treat. You will understand better later. This is almost like 2 desserts in 1. A cake and a bar? No clue really, but I went ahead and called it a cake; although it didn't require any baking, and mixing any cake batter. As a child, I had always love those dainty chic looking cakes where they are usually paired with a genoise or hazelnut praline crunch which are then topped with fluffy flavoured mousse. So there I was in the kitchen, toying around with the idea of making a thick luscious layer of dark chocolate mousse paired with a crunchy base coated in hazelnut spread. Alas came DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE & HAZELNUT RICE KRISPY CAKE; certainly a watering mouthful treat. You will definitely love the layer of the Chocolate Mousse.

Pear & Bourbon Vanilla Bean Custard Tart + Happy New Year 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 y'all!

Birthday, Christmas & New Years was a quiet affair where it felt good to unwind, taking a deep breath to think calmly reflecting all that has happened throughout the year. It was great to be able to catch up with close friends for my Birthday, planned 2 hearty lunches for the family; one on Christmas and the other on New Year's Day where I placed my camera aside and enjoyed a meal, had heartfelt conversations which was much needed.

Baking Recipe: Chocolate and Strawberry Eclairs

As far I recalled since my childhood, my eyes would sparkle and lit up like twinkle lights whenever my mom brings home a box of chocolate eclairs. Ahhh...yes, I could still remember the smell of fresh pastry [of course, during that time, I wouldn't know what's choux pastry], taste of fresh cream and the ever bitter sweet chocolate glazed. Yumm... yummmmmmm... I think I alone could consume almost half a dozen of eclairs [do I sense eyes rolling?.. yes I was a greedy little girl, LOLs].

Over the weekend, I decided I will make some eclairs for tea break. Something to treat my parents. Oh! and also an excuse to blog about it ;p. Without further a due, I will jump straight in and share with you the recipe. Cause I'm sensing some oOOO.. ahhHHH.. [drools]. Do make the deliciously coated chocolate eclairs plumped up with fresh cream and I am sure you will not look back. Before you know it.. you might eat all of them before having the chance to serve these decadent treats to your family and friends.

Recipe
yields approx. 24 bite sizes eclairs

Note: If you do substitute unsalted butter with salted butter, make sure to omit the salt required.

For the eclairs

125g / 1 cup plain flour, sifted
70g / 1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs, at room temperature
250ml / 1cup warm water

To prepare profiterole:

1. Preheat Oven to 200º and lightly grease baking tray or lay tray with parchment paper.

2. Put the butter, salt and 250ml water into a saucepan and bring to boil. Stir occasionally. Add the flour into the boiling mixture. Reduce the heat to low, and then beat quickly with wooden spoon until the mixture leaves the side of the pan and forms a smooth ball.

3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside to cool. Using electric beaters, beat in the eggs, one at a time until the mixture is thick and glossy. When you lift up the beater, the mixture will form a deep V.

4. Pipe the mixture in length ways onto the prepared trays. Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastries are puffed. Reduce the oven to 180º and bake for another 10 minutes until the puffs are golden brown and crisp. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

For fresh whipped cream

1 cup / 250ml thickened cream, chilled
8 tbsps powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

To prepare whipped cream

1. With a wired whisk on a stand mixer, mix all ingredients and whisk until stiff peaks form. Make sure to not over whisk cream else it will turn into butter.

For chocolate glaze

1/4 cup semi-dark chocolate buttons/ chips
1/4 cup milk chocolate buttons/ chips
approx.4-5 tbsps of milk

1. In a microwavable heat proof bowl, melt chocolate and 1 1/2 tablespoons of milk for about 2 minutes or until chocolate is melted. Do check on your chocolate constantly as they burn easily. Stir once a while to help the chocolate to melt.

2. While chocolate is still warm, with a teaspoon/ spatula; continue to stir the chocolate and add in the milk until mixture is fully combine and you get a slightly thick and runny consistency. This will be just right to coat the eclairs.

To assemble eclairs:

1. With a sharp knife, make small slits at the ends of the eclairs. Using a piping bag, pipe whipped cream into the eclairs. You could feel them fattening up so make sure to not over fill them as the cream will spill out.

2. Dip the eclairs into the chocolate top side facing down and set aside on a tray. You can either serve immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. And as for my own preference, I like my eclairs chilled.

3. For strawberry eclairs: Cut strawberries into small cubes. With a sharp knife, slit the top middle of the eclair carefully to not cut them into halves. Fill the eclair with chocolate glaze, followed by some whipped cream and top them with fresh strawberries. Chill and before serving dust some powdered sugar over the strawberry eclairs.

xx

Baking Recipe: Limoncello Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling and Cream Cheese Frosting

So, what did I bake? Well, I made mini cupcakes – LimonCello Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling and Cream Cheese Frosting to be exact. Yup.. a mouthful indeed.

Mini LimonCello Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling and Cream Cheese Frosting

I was surfing for recipes one day and stumbled upon a magnificent site. Therefore, this recipe idea is adapted from MyTartelette.com. As for ingredients wise, I may have tweaked it a little here and there. Like for instance the recipe asked for 2 Tbps of LimonCello liqueur; but I sort of put in a little more for the extra lemony kick. Lol..