Chocolate Chestnut Mousse Tart Recipes

Steps:

• Make ganache:
• Bring cream and butter to a simmer in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat to low. Whisk in chocolate until smooth and remove from heat. Transfer ganache to a bowl and chill, covered, stirring every 30 minutes, until thickened but spreadable, about 2 hours. (If ganache becomes too stiff, let stand at room temperature until slightly softened.)
• Make cake layers while ganache chills:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter cake pans and line bottom of each with a round of parchment or wax paper. Butter paper and dust pans with flour, knocking out excess flour.
• Pulse chestnuts with flour, baking soda, and salt in a food processor until finely ground.
• Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes in a standing mixer or about 6 minutes with a handheld. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla (mixture will look a little separated). Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and sour cream alternately in 3 batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing until just combined.
• Divide batter evenly among pans and bake in middle of oven until pale golden and springy to the touch, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks, then invert onto racks and remove parchment.
• Make mousse and assemble torte:
• Melt butter and chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth, and stir in Cognac. Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered, stirring occasionally, until thickened to the consistency of softened butter, about 1 hour. (If mixture becomes too stiff, let stand at room temperature until softened.)
• Beat cream in a bowl with cleaned beaters until it just holds soft peaks, then chill, covered, while beginning to assemble torte.
• Put 1 cake layer on cardboard round on a rack set in a shallow baking pan (1 inch deep). Spread 1/2 cup ganache evenly over top of layer and sprinkle with all of chopped marrons glacés. Top marrons glacés with another 1/4 cup ganache and cover with another cake layer.
• Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using cleaned beaters at medium-high speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add sugar and beat at high speed until whites just hold stiff peaks. Stir whipped cream into chocolate Cognac mixture, then stir in one third of whites to lighten. Fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Spoon mousse immediately onto cake layer (it sets quickly), spreading evenly, then top with third cake layer. Chill torte, covered, until mousse layer is firm, about 1 hour. Keep remaining ganache at a spreadable consistency at room temperature, chilling, covered, if it becomes too soft.
• Glaze cake:
• Reserve 1 1/4 cups ganache in a metal bowl, then spread remainder over top and side of torte to seal in crumbs. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Set bowl of reserved ganache over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until ganache reaches a pourable consistency. Remove bowl from heat and cool 5 minutes. Pour ganache evenly over top of torte, making sure it coats all of side. Shake rack gently to smooth glaze (let excess drip into baking pan). Transfer cake on cardboard to a cake stand or plate using 2 large heavy metal spatulas and chill until set. Garnish just before serving.

Steps:

• Bring chestnuts, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt to a boil over high heat in a small saucepan. Reduce heat, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until milk is reduced by one-quarter and chestnuts smash fairly easily against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon, 15-17 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely chop 4 oz. chocolate. Using a peeler, shave remaining 1 oz. chocolate; set aside until ready to serve.
• Purée chestnut mixture in a blender on high speed until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add chopped chocolate and 1 tsp. brandy and blend on high speed until chocolate is melted, about 30 seconds. Scrape into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally (if lumps form, stir vigorously until smooth), 15-20 minutes.
• Whip 2 cups cream with a whisk in another large bowl until it just barely holds soft peaks. Stir one-third of cream into chocolate mixture to lighten it, then fold in remaining cream just until incorporated. Transfer mousse to a large serving bowl, cover, and chill at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.
• Whip remaining 1 cup cream and 1/2 tsp. brandy with whisk in a large bowl to medium peaks. Garnish mousse with reserved chocolate shavings and serve with whipped cream alongside.
• Do ahead
• Mousse can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

Steps:

• Lightly coat an 8-inch round cake pan with oil, and line with plastic, leaving a 4-inch overhang.
• Finely grind chestnuts in a food processor. Heat ground chestnuts, milk, 3 tablespoons sugar, and the salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbles form at edge.
• Whisk together yolks, cornstarch, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium heatproof bowl.
• Slowly add hot chestnut mixture to yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to pan; cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thick, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a mixer. Add vanilla and butter. Beat on medium speed until cool, about 5 minutes. Stir half the chestnut mixture into melted chocolate.
• Beat 1 1/4 cups cream until soft peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold half the whipped cream into plain chestnut mixture and the other half into chocolate-chestnut mixture.
• Pour chestnut mousse into prepared pan. Cover with 12 chocolate wafers, working in a circular pattern. Top with chocolate-chestnut mousse and remaining 12 chocolate wafers. Fold plastic overhang over top to cover cake. Refrigerate overnight.
• Uncover cake; place a platter on top, flip, and unmold. Remove plastic. Beat remaining 1/4 cup cream until soft peaks form. Spread on top of cake. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

Steps:

• Make the crust: In a medium bowl, use a fork to combine the graham cracker crumbs and the butter until they are the texture of wet sand.
• Transfer the crust to an 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan and use the bottom of a wine glass or other flat instrument to press against the bottom.
• Make the dark chocolate mousse: In a medium bowl, let the melted dark chocolate chips cool to room temperature, then use a spatula to gently fold in whipped cream.
• Pour the dark chocolate mousse over the crust and smooth out the top as much as possible, then freeze for 15 minutes.
• Make the milk chocolate mousse: In a medium bowl, let the melted milk chocolate chips cool to room temperature, then use a spatula to gently fold in whipped cream.
• Pour the milk chocolate mousse over the dark chocolate layer and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Freeze for 2 hours, or until the mousse is set.
• Take a vegetable peeler and press it down along the edge of the chocolate bar to create mini chocolate spirals. Make at least 2 tablespoons worth.
• Remove from the cake from the freezer and gently take the cake out of the springform pan.
• Sift the cocoa powder over the top of the cake, then sprinkle with the chocolate shavings.
• Pairs well with Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted, about 2 minutes. Blend the chestnut puree, almond extract, salt and 1 cup confectioners' sugar in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and fold in half of the melted chocolate.
• Beat the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar with a mixer until soft peaks form. Reserve 1/2 cup for topping. Fold one-quarter of the remaining whipped cream into the chestnut mixture, then fold in the rest. Chill up to 8 hours.
• Divide the mousse among dessert glasses. Top with the reserved whipped cream. Remelt the remaining chocolate in the microwave, if necessary, then drizzle on top.
• Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted, about 2 minutes. Blend the chestnut puree, almond extract, salt and 1 cup confectioners' sugar in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and fold in half of the melted chocolate.
• Beat the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar with a mixer until soft peaks form. Reserve 1/2 cup for topping. Fold one-quarter of the remaining whipped cream into the chestnut mixture, then fold in the rest. Chill up to 8 hours.
• Divide the mousse among dessert glasses. Top with the reserved whipped cream. Remelt the remaining chocolate in the microwave, if necessary, then drizzle on top.

Steps:

• Whip cream until stiff and set aside.
• Soften gelatin in rum, then set over warm water until liquid
• Beat egg yolks with sugar until thick and pale in color. Beat in gelatin-rum mixture.
• Fold whipped cream, chestnuts and hazelnuts into yolk mixture.
• Turn mousse into cooled pie shell, mounding it toward the center.
• Prepare chocolate curls slowly and carefully by drawing a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler across the brand flat surface of the chocolate, which should shave off in long curls. Sprinkle curls generously over top of the pie and then sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine butter and peanut butter. In a food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt and baking powder; cover and process until blended. Add butter mixture; cover and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs., While processing, gradually add water and vanilla just until moist crumbs form. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of six ungreased 4-in. fluted tart pans with removable bottoms. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack., In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Spread over the bottoms of crusts. Refrigerate., In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Spread into crusts., For topping, in a microwave, melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Drizzle over tarts. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips and peanuts over tops. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Make crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a food processor, combine cones, salt, and sugar; process until fine crumbs form. With machine running, slowly pour butter through feed tube and process until mixture resembles wet sand. Press crumbs in bottom and up side of a 9-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake until crust is golden brown and set, 25 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, make topping: In a small saucepan, combine hazelnuts, granulated sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute. Strain hazelnuts and spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until nuts are toasted and shiny, 15 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Make filling: In a medium saucepan, bring 3/4 cup cream to a simmer; remove from heat and add chocolate. Let stand 5 minutes; whisk to combine, then let cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, whip 1 cup cream with confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in chocolate mixture until combined. Pour filling into cooled crust and refrigerate until chilled and completely set, about 1 1/2 hours (or wrap tightly with plastic and refrigerate, up to 2 days). To serve, top tart with hazelnuts.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Grease a 25cm springform tin, then line the base and sides with baking paper. Whisk eggs and sugar until pale and thick.
• Sift the flour and cocoa together onto the mixture, then gently fold in, followed by the butter. Pour into the tin, ease to the edges, then bake for 8-10 mins until risen and firm to the touch. Cool in the tin.
• Meanwhile, beat the chestnut purée and egg yolks until as smooth as possible. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water with half the cream. Remove from the heat, then beat into the chestnut mixture.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff. In a separate bowl, whip the remaining cream until it holds its shape. Fold into the chocolate mixture, then carefully fold in the egg whites. Drizzle the brandy, if using, over the sponge base, then pour the chocolate mix on top. Level the surface and chill for 5 hrs or overnight until firm. Chill for 2 days, or freeze for 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• To serve, carefully remove from the tin, strip off the paper and slide onto a cake stand. Dust heavily with cocoa.