with a wooden spoon or whisk until the chocolate is melted and combined with the cream.
5.
Add butter and stir just until the mixture is smooth, thick, and uniform.
6.
Let ganache cool to room temperature before using.
Kirsch Ganache Filling
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
⅔ cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon kirsch or other liqueur
1.
Place the chocolate in a bowl.
2.
Place cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
3.
Pour cream over chocolate and wait 1 minute. Slowly stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and combined with the cream.
4.
Add the kirsch and stir just until the mixture is smooth, thick, and uniform.
5.
Let ganache cool to room temperature before using.
Praline Ganache Filling
½ cup hazelnut praline
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
⅔ cup heavy cream
1.
Place the praline in a food processor and process until very fine, almost a paste.
2.
Place the chocolate in a bowl.
3.
Place cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
4.
Pour cream over chocolate and wait 1 minute. Slowly stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and combined with the cream.
5.
Add the praline and stir until the mixture is smooth, thick, and uniform.
6.
Let ganache cool to room temperature before using.
HOLLOW MOLDED CHOCOLATES
General Description:
Hollow molded chocolates are three-dimensional shells of chocolate, perfectly and elaborately detailed on theoutside and hollow on the inside . A child biting the ear off a chocolate Easter bunny discovers the pleasure of crunching through a crisp layer of chocolate to find the hollow center. Hollow molded chocolates come in a variety of novelty shapes like solid molded chocolates , but they are made like filled molded chocolates .
History:
The earliest chocolate molds were expertly handmade and elaborately detailed in France and Germany. Many of these beautifully detailed antique molds are now collectors’ items. Most giant molded chocolates, such as bunnies or Santas, are hollow.
Serving Suggestions:
Chocolate bunnies are the most popular hollow molded chocolate, but almost any three-dimensional mold can be used to make a hollow chocolate. Use your hollow chocolates as containers for other sweets.
Candy-Making Notes:
The key to making hollow molded chocolates is rotating the mold to coat all parts evenly. Get the melted chocolate into the most difficult-to-reach corners first, while the chocolate is still fairly liquid.
Recipe:
16 ounces bittersweet, semisweet, or milk chocolate
1.
Make sure the mold is completely clean and dry.
2.
Melt and temper the chocolate .
3.
Ladle tempered chocolate into the mold, covering the surfaces of all the cavities.
4.
Invert the mold over a clean baking sheet, letting excess chocolate run out until just a thin layer of chocolate remains.
5.
Refrigerate the mold to let the chocolate set, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the mold.
6.
When the chocolate shells look firm and are starting to shrink away from the sides of the mold, remove from the refrigerator. Flip mold onto clean surface to unmold chocolate shells.
7.
To join the two shells, warm a clean baking sheet in the oven. Press the open side of one shell to the sheet until the rim starts to melt.
8.
Quickly press the two shells together and hold until the chocolate sets.
Yield:
One large hollow chocolate
Storage:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Variation:
HollowEaster Egg with Treats
Use a three-dimensional Easter egg mold with two half shells. Follow the recipe through step 6. Then fill one of the half shells with Easter candies of your choice: jellybeans, foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, marshmallows, or candy eggs. You can then place the other half shell on top and seal it shut (steps 7 and 8).
MENDIANTS
General Description:
Mendiants made of dark chocolate studded with nuts and dried fruits are one of