Raspberry Porter Trifle With Chocolate Ganache And Whipped Cream Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and milk until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. , In a 1- to 1-1/2-qt. trifle bowl or individual dessert bowls, layer half of the cake cubes, raspberries, cream cheese mixture and almonds. Repeat layers. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

Steps:

• For the cake layers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and set rack at middle level. Butter a 9 or 10-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with a disk of parchment or waxed paper. Whisk yolks with half the sugar and vanilla until thick and light. In a clean, dry bowl, whisk whites with salt and continue whisking until they are white and opaque. Whip in remaining sugar in a stream. Continue whipping whites until they hold a firm peak. Fold yolks into whites then sift over and fold in flour and starch. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake about 30 minutes, until well risen and deep in golden color. Unmold to a rack to cool.
• For the custard cream: Bring milk to a boil with half the sugar in a heavy, non-reactive pan. Whisk yolks with remaining sugar and sift over and whisk in flour. When milk boils, whisk a third into the yolk mixture. Return the remaining milk to a boil and whisk in yolk mixture, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Whisk constantly 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Scrape half the cream to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate to cool. Whisk chocolate into remaining cream and scrape into a bowl, cover and cool.
• For syrup: In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Cool and stir in rum.
• For whipped cream: Combine all ingredients and whip to a soft peak.
• To assemble: Cut cake into thin, vertical slices. Place a layer of slices in the bottom of a glass serving bowl and moisten with syrup. Spread with half the vanilla cream and scatter with half the raspberries. Continue alternating layers to make 2 layers each, vanilla/raspberry, chocolate and whipped creams, ending with whipped cream. Sprinkle lightly with chocolate shavings and a few raspberries.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the milk, water and extract until blended. Add pudding mix; whisk for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Cover and chill until mixture is partially set. Fold in the whipped cream., Place half of the cake cubes in a 2-qt. glass serving bowl. Top with half of the cream mixture. Carefully spread with jam. Sprinkle with 1 cup raspberries. Layer with remaining cake cubes, cream mixture and raspberries. Garnish with chocolate curls and mint.

Steps:

• To make brownies, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Remove pan from heat and stir in chopped chocolate until fully melted. Stir in cocoa and sugar until combined. Slowly add eggs, whisking chocolate mixture constantly, then whisk in vanilla. Fold in flour and salt.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until just firm, about 25 minutes (do not overbake). Transfer pan to a rack to cool. If using spirits, prick holes in hot brownies and drizzle evenly over pan.
• In a large bowl, mix together granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in 3/4 cup milk. In a large saucepan, bring remaining 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup cream to a boil over medium heat. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into cocoa mixture. Return to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking gently, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. (A simmering bubble or two is O.K., but do not let it boil.)
• In a medium heat-resistant bowl, whisk yolks. Whisking them constantly, very slowly dribble about half the cocoa-milk mixture into yolks until fully combined. Pour yolk mixture into saucepan with remaining cocoa-milk mixture, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, over medium-low heat, until thickened, about 5 minutes. (Do not let mixture come to a simmer. If pan begins to steam thickly, remove from heat for a few moments and stir well before continuing.) Let cool slightly.
• Melt 5 ounces chopped chocolate with butter. Stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Cool 5 minutes, then fold into thickened egg mixture. Place plastic wrap directly against pudding (to prevent a skin from forming), and chill until set, about 3 hours. (Pudding and brownies can be made up to 5 days ahead, and refrigerated.)
• Just before assembling, in an electric mixer, beat remaining 2 1/2 cups cream with remaining 5 tablespoons cocoa powder and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar until it forms soft peaks. Scrape down sides and fold in any excess cocoa or sugar.
• Cut brownies into 1-inch squares. Fit a layer of brownie squares in bottom of a 4-quart trifle, glass, or other bowl. Top with half the pudding, a third of the whipped cream, a third of the remaining chopped chocolate and a third of the raspberries. Repeat layering until all ingredients have been used. Serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and chill for up to 24 hours before serving.