Desserts

Chocolate Éclairs

Makes 12 éclairs The shape of a baked éclair depends upon the shape it is given before baking. It is easiest to make a nice, round éclair using a pastry bag, but you can also drop the batter from a spoon. Use a table knife dipped in water to smooth […]

Desserts

Chocolate Fudge

Makes 50 pieces Chocolate fudge is the classic American confection. In fact, when you say the name fudge, it is chocolate that comes to mind. Unsweetened chocolate is used in this recipe to supply full chocolate flavor when balanced with the sugar in the fudge.

Desserts, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Chocolate Glaze

Makes about 1 1/2 cups, or enough to glaze a 9-inch cake This chocolate glaze stays shiny but soft and is a perfect topping for cream puffs or éclairs. Use it to glaze a cake or to drizzle into vanilla ice cream for a chocolate ripple effect.

Cookies, Desserts

Chocolate Macarons

Makes about 60 macarons (120 shells) Macarons (not to be confused with coconut macaroons) are not difficult to make, but they are rather particular—so don’t be defeated if they aren’t perfect at first. It takes a few rounds to really understand the batter and how to treat it. If you’re […]

Desserts

Chocolate Mousse

Makes 4 to 6 servings Heating the egg whites and egg yolks not only pasteurizes them, making them safe to eat without further cooking, but it also dissolves the sugar and denatures the proteins. This creates a smooth and strong structure in your egg foams that helps to keep your […]

Cakes, Desserts

Chocolate Sabayon

Makes about 4 cups, or enough to fill a 9-inch cake This filling is featured in Chocolate Sabayon Torte. You can also use it to make a dramatic version of a chocolate cream pie: pipe or spoon the sabayon into a fully baked pie or tart crust. Or, serve it […]

Cakes, Desserts

Chocolate Sabayon Torte

Makes one 8-inch torte Tortes usually require some planning. You can bake the cake layers in advance and keep them well wrapped in the refrigerator or freezer. Simple syrup and soft ganache also hold well, so that you can make them when you have time. But, the sabayon filling must […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Choosing a Filling for the Best Layer Cakes

You may have tried and true, favorite cake recipes. But once you get the hang of the cake and the fillings, you can mix and match to make dynamic flavor combinations that are uniquely yours and suited to your mood or special event. Two important criteria to consider when choosing […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Pantry

Classic Puff Pastry

Makes 4 lb Use this dough to make folded pastries, like turnovers, or as the base for a freeform tart. To save extra for later, wrap it up tight and freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator the night before you want to use it again. If it’s your first time, this […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Conquer Pie Dough

For many home bakers, creating a flavorful, tender pie or tart crust is a fearful and challenging process filled with questions. How is it that some home bakers consistently produce flaky, crispy, and tender crusts or shells while others consistently find this task so daunting? As pie and tart dough […]