Chocolate Strawberry Mousse Cake Trellis Restaurant Recipes

Steps:

• Chocolate Cake:.
• Lightly coat the insides of 3 (9 by 1 1/2-inch) cake pans with melted butter. Line each pan with parchment paper, then lightly coat the parchment with more melted butter. Set aside. (Note: you must line cake pans with parchment paper or wax paper, otherwise the cake layers will be hard to remove and will fall apart.).
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place remaining butter and 8 ounces semisweet chocolate in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat, stir until smooth, and hold at room temperature.
• Place the egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Beat on high until slightly thickened and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on high for an additional 2 minutes.
• While the egg yolks are beating, whisk 4 egg whites in a large stainless steel bowl until stiff but not dry, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold the melted chocolate mixture into the beaten egg yolk mixture. Add a quarter of the beaten egg whites and stir to incorporate, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, spreading evenly, and bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. (During baking, the surface of the cakes will form a crust; this crust will normally collapse when the cakes are removed from the oven.)
• Invert 1 of the cakes onto the bottom of a springform pan. Invert the other 2 cakes onto cake circles. Remove the parchment paper and refrigerate cakes for 30 minutes.
• Chocolate Strawberry Mousse:.
• Reserve the 12 best-looking strawberries to decorate the top of the cake. Set aside.
• To prepare the chocolate and strawberry mousse, in a food processor fitted with a metal blade, puree 4 ounces of strawberries (approximately 12 medium-sized berries should yield 1/2 cup of puree). Set aside until needed.
• Refrigerate the remaining berries until needed (that includes the 12 berries you set aside for decoration).
• Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, the white chocolate and the strawberry puree in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Transfer to a stainless steel bowl, using a rubber spatula to remove all of the melted chocolate mixture. Keep at room temperature until needed.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon whip, whisk the 6 egg whites on high until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Continue to whisk on high while gradually adding 2 tablespoons sugar. Whisk until stiff but not dry, about 30 seconds. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Whip the heavy cream in a well-chilled stainless steel bowl until stiff. Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in the whipped cream. Now fold in the remaining egg whites. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Assembly:.
• Assemble the springform pan. Spread 1/2 cup of chocolate strawberry mousse onto the cake layer in the assembled springform pan. Arrange 1/2 the amount of reserved strawberries (not including the 12 for decoration), stem side down, into the mousse. The berries should be arranged in 2 rings: the first ring being 3/4-inch from the outside edge of the cake, and the second, inside ring, 3/4-inch away from the first. Distribute 3 cups of mousse over the berries, being careful to keep the berries in position. Holding the pan by the top rim, gently but firmly tap the bottom of the pan 2 to 3 times on your work surface (this will eliminate air pockets). Position a cake layer on top of the mousse, then repeat the process used on the first cake layer (1/2 cup mousse, remaining strawberries, and 3 more cups mousse). Top the mousse with the remaining cake layer and gently press into position. Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours (do not freeze).
• Refrigerate 1 cup of Semisweet Chocolate Ganache for at least 1 hour. Keep the remaining ganache at room temperature until needed.
• Remove the sides from the springform pan (do not remove the bottom of the pan from the cake; this will make it easier to handle later). Use a cake spatula to smooth and fill in the sides of the cake with 2 to 3 tablespoons of room-temperature ganache. Evenly spread the remaining amount of this ganache over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour.
• Transfer the chilled cup of ganache to a pastry bag fitted with a large-sized star tip. Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Pipe a circle of 12 evenly spaced stars along the outside edge of the top of the cake. Place a strawberry, stem side down, into each ganache star. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes.
• Cut the cake with a serrated slicer, heating the blade of the slicer under hot running water before making each slice. Allow the slices to come to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
• Chocolate Ganache:.
• Heat the heavy cream, butter, and sugar in a 2 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Place the chocolate in a stainless steel bowl. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature. Yield: 2 cups.

Steps:

• Lightly coat the insides of 3 (9 by 1 1/2-inch) cake pans with melted butter. Line each pan with parchment paper, then lightly coat the parchment with more melted butter. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place remaining butter and 8 ounces semisweet chocolate in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat, stir until smooth, and hold at room temperature.
• Place the egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Beat on high until slightly thickened and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on high for an additional 2 minutes.
• While the egg yolks are beating, whisk 4 egg whites in a large stainless steel bowl until stiff but not dry, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold the melted chocolate mixture into the beaten egg yolk mixture. Add a quarter of the beaten egg whites and stir to incorporate, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, spreading evenly, and bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. (During baking, the surface of the cakes will form a crust; this crust will normally collapse when the cakes are removed from the oven.) Invert 1 of the cakes onto the bottom of a springform pan. Invert the other 2 cakes onto cake circles. Remove the parchment paper and refrigerate cakes for 30 minutes.
• To prepare the chocolate and strawberry mousse, reserve the 12 best-looking strawberries to decorate the top of the cake. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, puree 4 ounces of strawberries (12 medium-sized berries should yield 1/2 cup of puree). Set aside until needed. Refrigerate the remaining berries until needed (that includes the 12 berries for decoration) Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, the white chocolate and the strawberry puree in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Transfer to a stainless steel bowl, using a rubber spatula to remove all of the melted chocolate mixture. Keep at room temperature until needed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon whip, whisk the 6 egg whites on high until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Continue to whisk on high while gradually adding 2 tablespoons sugar. Whisk until stiff but not dry, about 30 seconds. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Using a hand-held whisk, whip the heavy cream in a well-chilled stainless steel bowl until stiff. Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in the whipped cream. Now fold in the remaining egg whites. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Assemble the springform pan. Spread 1/2 cup of chocolate strawberry mousse onto the cake layer in the assembled springform pan. Arrange 1/2 the amount of reserved strawberries (not including the 12 for decoration), stem side down, into the mousse. The berries should be arranged in 2 rings: the first ring being 3/4-inch from the outside edge of the cake, and the second, inside ring, 3/4-inch away from the first. Distribute 3 cups of mousse over the berries, being careful to keep the berries in position. Holding the pan by the top rim, gently but firmly tap the bottom of the pan 2 to 3 times on your work surface (this will eliminate air pockets). Position a cake layer on top of the mousse, then repeat the process used on the first cake layer (1/2 cup mousse, remaining strawberries, and 3 more cups mousse). Top the mousse with the remaining cake layer and gently press into position. Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours (do not freeze).
• Refrigerate 1 cup of Semisweet Chocolate Ganache for at least 1 hour. Keep the remaining ganache at room temperature until needed.
• Remove the sides from the springform pan (do not remove the bottom of the pan from the cake; this will make it easier to handle later). Use a cake spatula to smooth and fill in the sides of the cake with 2 to 3 tablespoons of room-temperature ganache. Evenly spread the remaining amount of this ganache over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour.
• Transfer the chilled cup of ganache to a pastry bag fitted with a large-sized star tip. Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Pipe a circle of 12 evenly spaced stars along the outside edge of the top of the cake. Place a strawberry, stem side down, into each ganache star. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes.
• Cut the cake with a serrated slicer, heating the blade of the slicer under hot running water before making each slice. Allow the slices to come to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
• Heat the heavy cream, butter, and sugar in a 2 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Place the chocolate in a stainless steel bowl. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Yield: 2 cups

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix crumbs and butter to blend thoroughly. Press evenly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Arrange strawberry halves around the pan side-by-side, pointed ends up, with cut sides against the side of pan; set aside.
• Place chocolate chips in blender container. Pour water and corn syrup into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Immediately pour over chocolate chips and blend until smooth. Pour into a mixing bowl and cool to room temperature.
• While chocolate cools, whip 1 1/2 cups of the cream to form stiff peaks. Use a rubber spatula or large whisk to fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until mixture is thoroughly blended. Transfer the mousse into the prepared pan and smooth the top. The points of the strawberries might extend about the chocolate mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.
• Up to 2 hours before serving, in a medium mixing bowl, beat remaining 1/2 cup of cream to form soft peaks. Add sugar. Beat to form stiff peaks. Remove the side of the springform pan and place the cake on a serving plate. Pipe or dollop whipped cream onto top of cake. Arrange remaining halved strawberries on whipped cream. To serve, cut into wedges with thin knife, wiping blade between cuts.

Steps:

• Take a deep breath. Make sure that you will have several uninterrupted hours to cook, and that you've cleaned off all of your kitchen space. Preheat the oven to 225°F
• Good job! Now trace a 9-in circle onto parchment paper using a cardboard cake circle and put it onto a baking sheet.
• COCOA MERINGUE LAYER:
• Put the 4 egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt into the electric mixer bowl. Whip on high (using the balloon whip attachment) until soft peaks fom - about 45 to 50 seconds.
• Gradually add 1 cup sugar while still on high. Continue to whip until the peaks are stiff, about another 1 1/2 minutes.
• Remove the bowl and use a spatula to fold in and thoroughly combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa, and 1 tbsp cornstarch.
• Fill a pastry bag with the cocoa meringue (if you have no pastry bag, fill a ziploc bag and snip off one of the corners). Fill the traced parchment circle with meringue: start piping in the center and spiral outwards so that the whole circle is filled.
• Place the meringue in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then lower the oven temperature to 200°F and bake for 2 hour, 45 minutes more.
• Remove the meringue for the oven and let it cool on a rack for about 45 minutes before handling. Raise the oven temperature to 325°F.
• CHOCOLATE MOUSSE LAYER:
• You can begin preparing this while the meringue is baking and cooling. Heat 1 inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat (If you are not fortunate enough to own a double boiler, just stack a small saute pan on top of a small sauce pan. The lip of the saute pan should be just a bit wider than the sauce pan so that no steam escapes. Be very careful to keep any moisture out of your chocolate while you are melting it, or else it will seize and be very difficult to work with).
• Place 6 oz of semi-sweet chocolate in the top of the double boiler and tightly cover the top with plastic wrap (do not allow the wrap to touch the bottom half).
• Allow the chocolate to melt slowly, about 9 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Keep at room temperature until needed.
• Place 1 1/2 cups heavy cream in the well-chilled bowl of an electic mixer. Whip on high (using the balloon whip attachment) until peaks form, about 1 minute. Set aside.
• Whisk 3 eggs whites in a large stainless steel bowl, until soft peaks form (about 3 minutes).
• Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and continue to whisk until stiff peaks form, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.
• Add a quarter of the heavy cream to the chocolate and whisk quickly, vigorously, and thoroughly, then add it to the eggs whites. Now add the remaining heavy cream. Fold everything together gently but thoroughly, and put it in the fridge until needed (for at least 2 hours).
• CHOCOLATE BROWNIE LAYER:
• Make sure that the oven is still set to 325°F
• Butter a 9 x 1 1/2 inch cake pan, then coat it with flour (shake out any excess).
• Sift together 1/4 cup flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/3 tsp salt a small bowl, and set aside.
• Set up another double boiler. Place the 3 oz unsweetened chocolate, 4 tbsp butter, and 2 oz semi-sweetened chocolate in the top half.
• Tightly cover the top with plastic wrap, and heat for about 4 1/2 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth.
• Put 3 eggs, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract in an electric mixer. Whip on high (using the balloon whip attachment) until slightly thickened, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and mix on medium for 30 seconds.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix on low for 10 seconds, then on medium for 10 seconds.
• Add the sour cream and mix on medium for 5 seconds.
• Remove the bowl and use a spatula to thoroughly combine any unmixed elements.
• Pour the batter into the prepared care pan, spreading evenly. Gently bang it down on the table a few time to help level out the batter.
• Bake in the oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
• Remove and allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the brownies from the fridge and use a 9 inch cardboard cake circle to trim off the edges and make your rectangle a circle. Now, cut it in half horizontally: if it is still in the pan, take it out and cut it so that you have a top half and a bottom half, both of which are still 9 inch circles.
• GANACHE LAYER:.
• Heat 1 1/2 cups heavy cream and 3 tbsp butter in a 2 1/2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.
• Put 22 oz semi-sweet chocolate in a stainless steel bowl. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth.
• MOCHA MOUSSE:.
• Set up another double boiler.
• Put 14 oz of semi-sweet chocolate, 4 oz unsweetened chocolate, 1/2 cup water, instant coffee, and 2 tbsp cocoa in the top half of the double boiler.
• Tightly cover with plastic wrap and heat for about 6 to 7 minutes, remove, and stir until smooth.
• Put 5 egg whites in an electric mixer. Whip on high (with the balloon whip attachment) until soft peaks form, about 1 minute.
• Continue to whip while gradually adding 2 tbsp sugar. Whip an additional 30 seconds or so, until stiff.
• Whip 3/4 cup heavy cream in a chilled stainless steel bowl until stiff.
• Fold a fourth of the egg whites into the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in the whipped cream. Fold in the remaining egg whites.
• MOCHA RUM SAUCE:.
• Heat 6 oz butter in a 2 1/2 qt saucepan over medium heat.
• Once melted, add 1 1/3 cups sugar, 1 1/3 cups heavy cream, 8 tbsp cocoa, 2 tbsp rum, and 1/4 tsp salt. Whisk to combine.
• Bring to a boil and lower the heat, then allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Remove the saucepan from heat. Add 4 tsp instant coffee, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 tbsp rum. Stir until smooth.
• Allow to cool before serving.
• ASSEMBLY!:.
• Put a closed 9x3 inch springform pan on a baking sheet.
• Carefully place the top half of the brownie circle inside, topside up.
• Ladle 1 1/2 cups of ganache over the brownie layer. (If the ganache has solidified, put the bowl in a pan of hot water and stir until the correct texture is achieved).
• Use a knife to trim off any of the cocoa meringue that got outside of the 9 inch circle you traced underneath it.
• Then peel off the parchment paper and very carefully place the meringue, top-side up, inside of the pan. Press down gently to eliminate air pockets.
• Spoon the mocha mousse evenly on top of the cocoa meringue.
• Place the remaining chocolate brownie half, bottom side down, on top of the mocha mousse.
• Chill the cake in the fridge for 1 hr, or in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Take out the cake and cut along the inside of the pan to release it.
• Pour the remaining ganache over the cake and use an icing spreader to spread the ganache evenly over the top and sides.
• Put the cake back into the fridge for another 10 to 15 minutes to set the ganache.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip (Once again, use a ziploc bag if you do not have this. you will not be able to achieve the same decorative effects, but practice a few times on a plate and you can use this system to make little bulbs or a criss-cross pattern on the top).
• Pipe a circle of stars (each closely touching the other) along the outside edge of the top of the cage. Circle inwards until the cake is covered. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours (12 is preferable) before serving.
• To serve, run a serrated knife under hot water between each time you slice the cake. Arrange the slice on a decorative plate (larger slice/smaller servings will stand upright better and look nicer).
• Flood the plate with 3-4 tbsp of the Mocha Rum Sauce, and serve with a smile. And a stiff drink ;).

Steps:

• In a 9 inch springform pan mix the wafer crumbs and butter thoroughly and press evenly into the bottom of the pan.
• Stand strawberry halves around the pan,touching,side by side,pointed ends up,with cut sides against the side of the pan. Set aside. Save the strawberries that are left to garnish the mousse cake.
• Place chocolate chips,corn syrup,and orange liqueur in a microwave safe bowl.
• Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until the chocolate chips are melted.Whisk until all the liquids are incorporated and the mixture is smooth, then cool.
• Beat 1 1/2 cups of cream until it forms stiff peaks.
• Fold the cool chocolate mixture into the whipped cream.
• Carefully pour into the strawberry lined pan.
• Refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve, release the sides of the pan and whip the remaining whipping cream with the powdered sugar.
• Arrange the whipped cream on top of the cake and top with the remaining berries.

Steps:

• For the cake: In a bowl, beat the eggs until foamy; gradually beat in the sugar.
• Beat for 5 to 8 minutes or until the batter falls in ribbons when the beaters are lifted.
• Beat in the vanilla.
• Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; sift half over the egg mixture and fold in .
• Fold in the remaining flour mixture.
• Remove one-quarter of the batter to a small bowl; gradually fold in the butter.
• Gradually fold back into the batter.
• Scrape into a greased 8-1/2" springform pan.
• Bake in a 325°F oven for 40 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
• Let cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
• Turn out onto a rack and let cool completely.
• For the filling: In a bowl over hot (not boiling) water, melt the chocolate; let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• In a large bowl, whip the cream; set 2 cups aside for the strawberry mousse.
• Fold half of the remaining cream into the chocolate; fold in the remaining cream.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry peaks form; fold into the chocolate mixture.
• In a food processor, puree 1 cup of strawberries with the sugar; fold into the reserved whipped cream.
• To assemble the cake: Place a 8-1/2" springform pan without its base on a cake plate.
• Cut some waxed paper into a 10" x 3" strip; fit the collar around the inside of the ring.
• Fit the sponge cake into the pan.
• Slice 1 cup of strawberries; arrange half over the cake.
• Pour on top of the strawberries the chocolate mousse, smoothing the top.
• Arrange the remaining strawberries over the mousse.
• Pour the strawberry mousse over the second strawberry layer, smoothing the top.
• Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
• Before serving, remove the plastic wrap, springform side and collar from the cake.
• Dip the whole strawberries into the melted chocolate and arrange around the top edge of the cake.
• Serve immediately.

Steps:

• For the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour 2 round 8" pans.
• Beat flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, shortening, milk and vanilla in a large mixing bowl on low speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, for about 30 seconds.
• Then, beat on high speed for about 2 minutes.
• Add egg whites; beat on high speed 2 minutes longer.
• Fold in white chocolate.
• Pour into pans.
• Bake until wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean- 30 to 35 minutes.
• Allow cakes to cool completely, and then carefully slice each in half, lengthwise.
• For the Mousse (I recommend making the night before): Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Set aside.
• Puree fresh strawberries.
• Place the berries in a small saucepan, add the preserves, and cook over medium heat (stirring constantly) until thickened, or just before boiling.
• Remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly.
• Fold into melted chocolate.
• Allow the strawberry chocolate mixture to cool until tepid.
• Then gently fold in whipped cream, followed by gently folding in egg whites.
• Cover and refrigerate 8 hours.
• For the Icing: In a medium saucepan, combine melted chocolate and flour.
• Blend in milk, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick (about the consistency of melted chocolate alone).
• Cool completely.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugar, butter and vanilla.
• Beat until light and fluffy.
• Gradually add completely cooled chocolate mixture.
• Beat until well blended, but DO NOT over beat, or it will become runny.
• To Assemble Cake: Spread set mousse between layers of cake (there will be three layers of mousse).
• Make sure not to have any mousse leaking out of the sides, or it will make icing the cake difficult.
• After the mousse is between the layers, put the cake in the freezer.
• In the meantime, melt the 3 ounces of chocolate.
• Arrange the thinly sliced strawberries on a pan that has been covered with saran wrap.
• Drizzle the chocolate in thin ribbons, in all directions over the strawberries, until they are nicely covered (but not completely).
• Take the cake out of the freezer, and place the pan of strawberries in the freezer.
• Ice the cake generously with the white chocolate icing using a spatula, so it forms soft peaks all over the cake.
• Once the cake is completely iced, take the strawberries out of the freezer.
• Arrange them around the perimeter of the top of the cake, points inward, and around the bottom of the cake, points upward.
• Use five strawberries to form a "flower" in the middle of the cake, if desired.