How To Make Dark Chocolate Peppermint Whipped Cream Tart

Author: Allison  //  Category: Desserts, Holiday Desserts

 

 


 

Ingredients:
For the Tart Dough
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
9 Tablespoons (4 1/2 ounces) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
1 extra large egg
For the Filling
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup light corn syrup
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup crushed candy canes
For the Topping
1 2/3 cups cold heavy cream
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 Tablespoon crushed candy canes
For the Tart Dough
In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour, sugar, and salt.  Pulse until combined.  Scatter the butter pieces over the flour.   Process in short bursts until the butter is the size of peas.  Add the egg and process in long pulses, about 5-7 seconds until the dough has started to clump.  Place a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and dump the dough onto the surface.  Using the plastic wrap and the back of your hands, gently press the dough into a disk.  Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375º F.  Remove the dough from the refrigerator.  If refrigerated overnight, let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.  On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle, flouring the dough and surface as necessary to keep the dough from sticking.  Roll up the dough around the rolling pin and gently unroll it over an 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.  Fit the dough into the edge of the pan.  Roll the rolling pin over the top of the pan to remove the excess dough.  Place the tart onto a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Line the tart pan with aluminum foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove the weights and foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Place on a rack to cool completely.

For the Filling
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream and corn syrup to a simmer.  Remove from the heat and add the semisweet and unsweetened chocolate; whisk until smooth. Add the espresso powder and peppermint extract and whisk to combine.  Set aside for 30 minutes to cool.  Pour the filling into the crust and sprinkle the top with the crushed candy canes.  Chill until set, about 3 hours.  (Can be made one day ahead and refrigerated.)
For the Topping
In a large chilled bowl, beat the cream, confectioners’ sugar, and extract to stiff peaks using a whisk or hand-held mixer.  Transfer the filling to a piping bag (I didn’t use a tip) or a plastic bag with 3/4-inch cut off the corner.  Pipe 2-inch long ovals of whipped cream side by side around the edge of the tart.  Pipe more ovals inside that ring to form a second ring; pipe more ovals in the center.  Chill for at least 30 minutes and/or up to 3 hours.  When ready to serve, sprinkle the top of the tart with the tablespoon of crushed candy canes.

How To Make Peppermint Whipped Cream

Author: Allison  //  Category: Desserts, Holiday Desserts

 

Ingredients:
6 red and white peppermint candy canes or 24 red and white mini peppermint candy canes
2 cups of whipping cream

Directions:
Unwrap your candy canes and place them in a blender or food processor. I like to break them into pieces as I add them to the blender.
Process until the candy canes util they are a fairly fine powder.
In another bowl, whip cream until firm. No need to add sugar. The sweetness will come from the candy canes.
Fold in the candy cane powder in the cream. Use immediately to top you cocoa if you like little pieces of crunchy candy cane in it (This is the way I like it). Or place in the refrigerator for 2 hours and allow the candy canes to completely dissolve.

How To Make Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Author: Allison  //  Category: Desserts

 

Ingredients:

1 fudge brownie mix (13-inch x 9-inch pan size)2 packages (13 ounces each) miniature peanut butter cups
4 cups cold 2% milk 
2 packages (5.1 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cartons (8 ounces each) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare brownie batter according to package directions.  Bake in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake).  Cool on a wire rack; cut into 3/4-in. pieces.  Cut peanut butter cups in half; set aside 1/3 cup for garnish.  In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes (mixture will be thick).  Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well.  Fold in 1-1/2 cartons whipped topping.Place a third of the brownies in a 5-qt. glass bowl; top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups. Spoon a third of the pudding mixture over the top.  Repeat layers twice. Cover with remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups. Refrigerate until chilled.