Chocolate Covered Strawberry Hearts Recipe 455

Steps:

• 1. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, microwave two-thirds of the bittersweet chocolate for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the remaining chocolate until melted. Transfer 2 tablespoons to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag and snip a small hole in one corner.
• 2. Pipe 12 small (2-inch) heart outlines onto a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes. Fold the strawberries into the remaining bittersweet chocolate. Divide among the heart outlines and carefully spread to fill in the hearts.
• 3. Repeat the melting technique above with the white chocolate. Pipe decorations onto the hearts. Let stand until set.

Steps:

• Put the chocolate and coconut oil in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water to melt.
• While the chocolate is melting, cut the strawberries in half from top to bottom. Slice a little "v" shape into the middle of each half, in order to turn them into hearts. Place on a paper towel-lined plate to dry for 5 minutes.
• Pierce each strawberry half on a slight diagonal with a wooden skewer or long toothpick (to look like an arrow going through). Dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate, covering them entirely. Refrigerate until set, 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Steps:

• In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
• Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
• Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.

Steps:

• Rinse the strawberries and pat dry with paper towels. Pinch the leaves off even with the stems. Cut the strawberries in half vertically from stem to tip; then lay them flat side down on a paper towel lined counter or cutting board, placing them side-by-side with the pointed ends touching. Secure the two halves with a toothpick through the sides to hold them together, leaving a little of the toothpick exposed to hold on to when dipping. Melt the milk chocolate per package directions. The amount depends on how many strawberry hearts you want to make. Lay waxed paper out on a baking sheet or the counter to put the strawberries on after dipping. Dip the strawberries in the melted chocolate, trying to cover the whole strawberry. Place them on the waxed paper to dry completely. Don't worry right now about the excess chocolate around the edges, it can be trimmed off later when the chocolate dries. (The chocolate may need reheating slightly if it gets too thick before you finish with the strawberries.) Once they've dried, using a small paring knife with a sharp tip trim away any excess chocolate around the hearts. Melt the white chocolate chips then drizzle over the tops of the hearts. (I put the melted white chocolate in a small ziptop bag and made a tiny cut from one corner of the bag and squeezed it out.)

Steps:

• Make the strawberry sauce: Add the strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have softened but are still vibrant red.
• Strain the strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Use a spatula to press the juice out of the berries. Discard the pulp and set the sauce in the refrigerator to cool.
• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease 2 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake mix, water, canola oil, and eggs until smooth. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
• Bake the cakes according to the package instructions, until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Let cool completely.
• Place one of the cooled cakes on a cutting board on top of a 10-inch (25 cm) square of parchment paper. Carefully trim off the domed top of the cake so it is level. Use a sharp knife to lightly make an X across the cake. Using the X as a guide, trim the top and bottom of the cake to create straight edges, discarding the trimmings. Cut the top triangle of the cake out, and place on the bottom, so it aligns neatly along the bottom edge. Trim the top points of cake so they become rounded, to create a heart. Use a pencil to trace the heart on the parchment. Move the cake pieces and parchment aside, reserving the parchment for later use. Repeat with the remaining cake.
• On a rimmed serving platter, build the cake: Transfer one of the heart cakes to the platter. Pipe a strip of chocolate frosting to attach the top and bottom of the heart. Pipe a layer of frosting over the top of the cake. Stack the remaining cake layer on top and repeat frosting.
• Pipe frosting onto the sides of the cake and use an offset spatula to spread evenly over the entire cake. Pipe a thick ¾-inch (2 mm) tall border around the top edge of the cake. Make sure there are no gaps. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the parchment with the traced heart on a baking sheet. Pour the melted chocolate into the center of the traced heart, using an offset spatula to fill in evenly. Place the other square of parchment on top. Refrigerate until hardened, at least 20 minutes.
• Peel back the top sheet of parchment from the chocolate heart and pipe a thin layer of chocolate frosting on top, spreading evenly with an offset spatula. If not using immediately, cover with the second piece of parchment paper again and place in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the cake.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator and carefully pour in the strawberry sauce into the bordered top until nearly full. Carefully place the frosting-coated chocolate heart on top of the frosting border. Use the remaining chocolate frosting to carefully fill in the sides between the heart and the cake, then spread another thin layer of frosting over the top. Return to the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
• Make the chocolate ganache: Combine the chocolate chips and ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream in a microwave-safe medium bowl. Microwave on medium power for 1½ minutes, then let sit 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add the remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream and stir to incorporate. Let cool at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just slightly warm to the touch, but still runny.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Pour about ½ cup of the ganache in the center of the cake. Use an offset spatula to lightly push to the edges, allowing some of the ganache to drip over the sides. Add more ganache as needed. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
• Dip the strawberries in the remaining ganache and arrange around the edges of the cake. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, until completely set, or until ready to serve.
• Slice and serve.
• Enjoy!