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63
DESSERTS
DESSERTS
62
PASTRY CREAM
1½
CUPS (375 ML) MILK
½
CUP (125 ML) HEAVY CREAM
½
CUP (125 ML) GRANULATED
SUGAR, DIVIDED
½
TEASPOON (2 ML) SALT
½
TABLESPOON (7 ML) PURE
VANILLA EXTRACT
4
LARGE EGG YOLKS
2
TABLESPOONS (30 ML)
CORNSTARCH
FOR A LIGHTER PASTRY CREAM:
½
CUP (125 ML) HEAVY CREAM
1½
TABLESPOONS (25 ML)
CONFECTIONERS’ SUGAR
Makes about 2¼ (550 ml) cups
Approximate preparation time: 25 minutes, including
cooking time
Put the milk, cream, ¼ cup (50 ml) sugar, salt and vanilla into a
saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a heavy
simmer.
Insert the large metal chopping blade into the large work
bowl of the Cuisinart
®
Food Processor. Add the yolks,
cornstarch and remaining sugar; process for 1 minute until
mixture is light and thick.
With the machine running, pour ¾ to 1½ cups (175 to 375 ml)
of the milk mixture slowly through the feed tube and process
mixture for about 1 minute.
Return mixture to the saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a
boil and cook while whisking continuously for about
2½ minutes until thickened. Strain mixture through a fine
mesh strainer into the large work bowl fitted with the large
metal chopping blade. Process for 5 minutes. Pour mixture
into a clean mixing bowl; cover directly with plastic wrap and
cool before using.
For a lighter pastry cream: whip the ½ cup (125 ml) of heavy
cream to medium peaks with 1½ tablespoons (25 ml) of
confectioners’ sugar. Fold into pastry cream once completely
cool.
Nutritional information per serving [2 tablespoons (30 ml)]:
Calories 72 (50% from fat)
|
carb. 8g
|
pro. 1g
|
fat 4g
|
sat. fat 2g
|
chol. 58mg
|
sod. 72mg
|
calc. 32mg
|
fiber 0g
This all-purpose pastry cream is a great foundation for fresh fruit tarts –
the food processor makes it easy .
DEEP CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE
BUTTER TO PREPARE
THE PANS
2
CUPS (500 ML)
UNBLEACHED,
ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
¾
TEASPOON (3.75 ML)
BAKING SODA
½
TEASPOON (2 ML) BAKING
POWDER
½
TEASPOON (2 ML) SALT
¾
CUP (175 ML) GRANULATED
SUGAR
¾
CUP (175 ML) BROWN
SUGAR
5
OUNCES (145 G)
BITTERSWEET
CHOCOLATE, CHOPPED
¾
CUP (175 ML)
UNSWEETENED
COCOA POWDER
½
TABLESPOON (7 ML)
ESPRESSO POWDER
1
CUP (250 ML) BOILING
WATER
1
CUP (250 ML) [½ POUND
(250 G) ; 2 STICKS]
UNSALTED BUTTER,
MELTED AND COOLED
¾
CUP (175 ML) BUTTERMILK
3
LARGE EGGS
½
TABLESPOON (7 ML) PURE
VANILLA EXTRACT
Makes two 9-inch (23 cm) cakes (one 2- or 4-layer cake),
12 servings
Approximate preparation time: 15 minutes, plus
50 minutes to bake, plus cooling time
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Coat two 9-inch (23 cm) round
pans with butter and cut rounds of parchment paper to fit the
bottoms of each pan.
Insert the large metal chopping blade into the large work bowl of
the Cuisinart
®
Food Processor. Add the flour, baking soda, baking
powder, salt and sugars and pulse 10 times and then process for
20 seconds to sift.
Place the bittersweet chocolate, cocoa powder and espresso
powder into a small bowl and pour the boiling water over
ingredients and stir to combine; reserve.
With the machine running, slowly pour the butter through the
feed tube. Continue pouring the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla
through the feed tube until ingredients are
just
combined. Pour
the chocolate mixture evenly over the batter and pulse to
completely incorporate.
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake in
oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until a cake tester comes out
just
clean.
Let pans rest on cooling racks for 15 minutes. Remove cake from
pans but leave on the racks until completely cool. Once cool, cut
each layer in half horizontally to frost with Cream Cheese Frosting
and build a four-layer cake, or leave the layers as is and make a
thick two-layer cake.
Nutritional information per serving:
Calories 258 (23% from fat)
|
carb. 49g
|
pro. 6g
|
fat 7g
|
sat. fat 3g
|
chol. 54mg
|
sod. 224mg
|
calc. 38mg
|
fiber 3g
Frost this deep and rich chocolate cake with
Cream Cheese Frosting (following page) .