Chocolate
I love dessert. If that dessert happens to have chocolate as a main ingredient, so much the better!
I'm not sure what it is about chocolate that so many of us find appealing. True, there are those who are of the take-it-or-leave-it camp when it comes to chocolate. (Yes, I've known a few in that camp.) But for those who, like me, love chocolate, today's post is sure to please. Check out the Vegan Frozen Chocolate Soufflé, Olive Garden's Chocolate Lasagna, or any of the other wonderful offerings in today's post. Enjoy!
CHOCOLATE PUDDING WITH RASPBERRY CREAM
This comes from Yossy Arefi on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yossy wrote, "This rich, creamy chocolate pudding is a comforting dessert for two that comes together in no time at all. Use Dutch-process cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor, but natural cocoa will work too, if that’s what you keep around. This pudding is also easy to dress up for any occasion. Raspberry cream and a handful of fresh raspberries adorn this version, but you could also top with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche."
Yield: 2 servings; Time: 25 minutes, plus chilling
You can view this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021898-chocolate-pudding-with-raspberry-cream.
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1 large egg yolk
5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
5 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Pinch of kosher salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/3 cup heavy cream
Preparation
Add the milk and egg yolk to a measuring cup. Whisk to combine.
Add 5 tablespoons sugar, the cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt to a medium saucepan, and whisk to combine, breaking up any lumps. Whisk the milk and egg yolk mixture into the sugar mixture until smooth.
Set the pan over medium-low heat and cook the mixture until it thickens and starts to bubble, stirring the mixture constantly with a rubber spatula and making sure to scrape the corners and bottom of the pan. Once it bubbles, cook for an additional minute until thick and creamy, taking extra care to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to avoid scorching the mixture, 6 to 8 minutes total. If you do get a few small lumps, whisk the mixture vigorously for a few seconds to smooth them. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Spoon the pudding into two small serving bowls or glasses, and press a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of each pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Chill for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.
When you are ready to serve the pudding, make the raspberry cream: Combine 1/2 teaspoon sugar with about 4 raspberries in a small bowl. Mash them together with a fork and macerate. In a medium bowl, whisk the cream with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla to medium peaks. Dollop the mashed raspberries over the top of the whipped cream and fold a few times. (The mixture should be streaky.)
Top the pudding with the remaining raspberries and a dollop of the whipped cream. Serve immediately.
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE
This is from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. She wrote, " Make this easy pie with a purchased or homemade graham cracker or cookie crumb crust. It's an easy and convenient pie to prepare with pudding mix."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Refrigerate: 4 hours; Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-chocolate-cream-pie-3053495.
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups milk (cold)
2 packages/4-serving size each chocolate or chocolate fudge instant pudding
1 container/8 ounces whipped topping (thawed)
1 prepared chocolate cookie crumb crust or graham cracker crust (9-inch)
Directions
Pour cold milk into a large mixing bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk until well mixed. (Mixture will be thick.) Gently stir in whipped topping. Spoon into crust.
Refrigerate the pie for 4 hours or until set.
Garnish with additional whipped topping and grated chocolate, if desired. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.
OLIVE GARDEN'S CHOCOLATE LASAGNA RECIPE
I was on Olive Garden's emailing list for a while. This was one of the recipes on the list. The recipe starts with, "Layers of rich chocolate cake and sweet buttercream icing… no longer being served at Olive Garden, but you can still enjoy it at home!"
Ingredients
Cake
6 cups cake flour
5-1/4 cups sugar
2-1/4 cups baking cocoa
2 tablespoons baking soda
4-1/2 cups milk
1-1/2 cup butter
12 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Butter Cream
2/3 cup water
4 tablespoons meringue powder
12 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1-1/4 cup shortening
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon clear almond extract
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
1 teaspoon colorless butter flavoring
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 10-inch springform pans.
Cake
In mixing bowl, stir together sifted cake flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Add butter and mix well. Add milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Pour about 5 cups of the cake batter into each prepared pan. Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before you remove the cake from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Butter Cream
Combine water and meringue powder; whip at high speed until peaks form. Add 4 cups of sugar, one cup at a time, beating after each addition at low speed. Alternately add shortening and remainder of sugar. Add salt and flavorings; beat at low speed until smooth. Thin out 1/2 of the frosting with a little extra water. The thinned frosting is used as the filling between layers.
To Assemble
Place one 10 inch cake on a large round plate or a large round cake platter. Spread 1/2 of the thinned frosting on top. (Only frost the top of the cake) Sprinkle very lightly with semi-sweet chocolate chips. (There are very few chips on this layer, usually only 1 or 2 per wedge, so sprinkle very very lightly).
Place the second cake on top of the first. Frost the top with the remaining thinned frosting. Sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips. (You can be a bit more generous with this layer).
Place the third layer on top of the second. Frost the top with all of the Butter Cream that was not thinned. This is a thick layer of frosting so pile it on. Try to get the top as smooth as you can. Sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Cut the cake into wedges, as you would cut a pizza. Using chocolate syrup, create a design on your dessert plate. Place the wedge of chocolate lasagna at the 11 o’clock position on your dessert plate with the point facing down. (So that you can see some of the syrup design).
CHOCOLATE COCONUT MILK ICE CREAM
This is from the Taste For Life website. To view this online, go to https://tasteforlife.com/healthy-recipes/desserts/chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream.
Ingredients
3 cups unsweetened coconut milk
2/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
8 Tbsp honey*
Vanilla extract to taste (optional)
Equipment
Ice-Cream Maker (optional)
Directions
Pour coconut milk in a large mixing bowl.
Add cocoa powder a small amount at a time, whisking until smooth each time.
Add honey and mix well.
Pour mixture in a 13 by 9 metal baking pan.
Freeze until firm, approximately 3 hours. Stir with a fork every 1/2 hour until frozen.
Notes
You can use an ice cream maker. Simply follow the directions on your appliance.
*This frozen delight can easily be vegan by replacing the honey with maple syrup.
VEGAN FROZEN CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE
This comes from Vegetarian Times (July/August 2005 issue, page 63), and begins, "You could serve this at a fancy dinner party in Paris, and no one would ever guess that it’s vegan! Strong coffee gives it flavor depth. Folding in Hip Whip, a vegan whipped topping available in the frozen foods section of most natural foods stores, keeps it light, smooth and creamy when frozen." Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/vegan-frozen-chocolate-souffle/.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups vegan carob chips
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup hot, strong coffee
2 Tbs. maple syrup or corn syrup
1 16-oz. pkg. silken tofu, drained
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 7.5-oz. tub vegan frozen whipped topping, thawed
Preparation
Cut strips of aluminum foil long enough to wrap around 6 3-oz. demitasse cups and high enough to make a 1-1/2-inch collar over rims. Secure with a rubber band. (Or, tear a length of foil long enough to go around a 10-oz. soufflé dish. Fold foil in half lengthwise, wind it around dish so it's at least 3 inches above rim. Tie with string.)
Put carob chips into heatproof bowl over pan of simmering water, and melt. Meanwhile, whisk together cocoa, coffee and maple syrup, and stir into melted carob mixture.
Put tofu in blender or food processor; purée 3 minutes, or until smooth. Add carob mixture and vanilla, and process until smooth. Transfer mixture to large bowl.
Whisk thawed whipped topping into carob-tofu mixture. Fill cups 1 inch above rim, or fill dish 2 inches above rim. Freeze 3 hours, or overnight. Remove from freezer 20 to 30 minutes before serving to soften. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired.
CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE PIE
This comes from Shannon Allison-Leszek in the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 82. The recipe begins, "When she’s not bartending at her in-laws’ restaurant or taking care of her two-year-old, Shannon Allison-Leszek spends her time cooking delicious vegan food that even her non-veg family members love. The surprising list of ingredients in this recipe add up to chocolate heaven—hats off to Shannon for finding just the right balance of flavors and textures. (She confided that it took several tries to get it just right.) 1st-place winner in the 2005 Recipe Contest."
Makes 12 servings
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/crunchy-chocolate-truffle-pie/.
Ingredients
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 12-oz. container firm silken tofu
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 9-inch premade graham cracker crust
1/2 cup chopped chocolate-covered pretzels
Preparation
Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate, and heat 30 seconds more. Repeat heating and stirring until chocolate is just melted. Set aside.
Combine tofu and maple syrup in food processor, and blend 3 minutes, or until smooth. Add peanut butter, and process until smooth. Add melted chocolate, and process once more until smooth.
Pour peanut butter-chocolate mixture into pie crust, smoothing the top; refrigerate 20 minutes. Sprinkle pretzels on top, and serve, or refrigerate until ready to eat.
I'm not sure what it is about chocolate that so many of us find appealing. True, there are those who are of the take-it-or-leave-it camp when it comes to chocolate. (Yes, I've known a few in that camp.) But for those who, like me, love chocolate, today's post is sure to please. Check out the Vegan Frozen Chocolate Soufflé, Olive Garden's Chocolate Lasagna, or any of the other wonderful offerings in today's post. Enjoy!
CHOCOLATE PUDDING WITH RASPBERRY CREAM
This comes from Yossy Arefi on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yossy wrote, "This rich, creamy chocolate pudding is a comforting dessert for two that comes together in no time at all. Use Dutch-process cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor, but natural cocoa will work too, if that’s what you keep around. This pudding is also easy to dress up for any occasion. Raspberry cream and a handful of fresh raspberries adorn this version, but you could also top with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche."
Yield: 2 servings; Time: 25 minutes, plus chilling
You can view this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021898-chocolate-pudding-with-raspberry-cream.
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1 large egg yolk
5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
5 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Pinch of kosher salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/3 cup heavy cream
Preparation
Add the milk and egg yolk to a measuring cup. Whisk to combine.
Add 5 tablespoons sugar, the cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt to a medium saucepan, and whisk to combine, breaking up any lumps. Whisk the milk and egg yolk mixture into the sugar mixture until smooth.
Set the pan over medium-low heat and cook the mixture until it thickens and starts to bubble, stirring the mixture constantly with a rubber spatula and making sure to scrape the corners and bottom of the pan. Once it bubbles, cook for an additional minute until thick and creamy, taking extra care to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to avoid scorching the mixture, 6 to 8 minutes total. If you do get a few small lumps, whisk the mixture vigorously for a few seconds to smooth them. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Spoon the pudding into two small serving bowls or glasses, and press a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of each pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Chill for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.
When you are ready to serve the pudding, make the raspberry cream: Combine 1/2 teaspoon sugar with about 4 raspberries in a small bowl. Mash them together with a fork and macerate. In a medium bowl, whisk the cream with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla to medium peaks. Dollop the mashed raspberries over the top of the whipped cream and fold a few times. (The mixture should be streaky.)
Top the pudding with the remaining raspberries and a dollop of the whipped cream. Serve immediately.
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE
This is from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. She wrote, " Make this easy pie with a purchased or homemade graham cracker or cookie crumb crust. It's an easy and convenient pie to prepare with pudding mix."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Refrigerate: 4 hours; Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-chocolate-cream-pie-3053495.
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups milk (cold)
2 packages/4-serving size each chocolate or chocolate fudge instant pudding
1 container/8 ounces whipped topping (thawed)
1 prepared chocolate cookie crumb crust or graham cracker crust (9-inch)
Directions
Pour cold milk into a large mixing bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk until well mixed. (Mixture will be thick.) Gently stir in whipped topping. Spoon into crust.
Refrigerate the pie for 4 hours or until set.
Garnish with additional whipped topping and grated chocolate, if desired. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.
OLIVE GARDEN'S CHOCOLATE LASAGNA RECIPE
I was on Olive Garden's emailing list for a while. This was one of the recipes on the list. The recipe starts with, "Layers of rich chocolate cake and sweet buttercream icing… no longer being served at Olive Garden, but you can still enjoy it at home!"
Ingredients
Cake
6 cups cake flour
5-1/4 cups sugar
2-1/4 cups baking cocoa
2 tablespoons baking soda
4-1/2 cups milk
1-1/2 cup butter
12 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Butter Cream
2/3 cup water
4 tablespoons meringue powder
12 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1-1/4 cup shortening
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon clear almond extract
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
1 teaspoon colorless butter flavoring
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 10-inch springform pans.
Cake
In mixing bowl, stir together sifted cake flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Add butter and mix well. Add milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Pour about 5 cups of the cake batter into each prepared pan. Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before you remove the cake from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Butter Cream
Combine water and meringue powder; whip at high speed until peaks form. Add 4 cups of sugar, one cup at a time, beating after each addition at low speed. Alternately add shortening and remainder of sugar. Add salt and flavorings; beat at low speed until smooth. Thin out 1/2 of the frosting with a little extra water. The thinned frosting is used as the filling between layers.
To Assemble
Place one 10 inch cake on a large round plate or a large round cake platter. Spread 1/2 of the thinned frosting on top. (Only frost the top of the cake) Sprinkle very lightly with semi-sweet chocolate chips. (There are very few chips on this layer, usually only 1 or 2 per wedge, so sprinkle very very lightly).
Place the second cake on top of the first. Frost the top with the remaining thinned frosting. Sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips. (You can be a bit more generous with this layer).
Place the third layer on top of the second. Frost the top with all of the Butter Cream that was not thinned. This is a thick layer of frosting so pile it on. Try to get the top as smooth as you can. Sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Cut the cake into wedges, as you would cut a pizza. Using chocolate syrup, create a design on your dessert plate. Place the wedge of chocolate lasagna at the 11 o’clock position on your dessert plate with the point facing down. (So that you can see some of the syrup design).
CHOCOLATE COCONUT MILK ICE CREAM
This is from the Taste For Life website. To view this online, go to https://tasteforlife.com/healthy-recipes/desserts/chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream.
Ingredients
3 cups unsweetened coconut milk
2/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
8 Tbsp honey*
Vanilla extract to taste (optional)
Equipment
Ice-Cream Maker (optional)
Directions
Pour coconut milk in a large mixing bowl.
Add cocoa powder a small amount at a time, whisking until smooth each time.
Add honey and mix well.
Pour mixture in a 13 by 9 metal baking pan.
Freeze until firm, approximately 3 hours. Stir with a fork every 1/2 hour until frozen.
Notes
You can use an ice cream maker. Simply follow the directions on your appliance.
*This frozen delight can easily be vegan by replacing the honey with maple syrup.
VEGAN FROZEN CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE
This comes from Vegetarian Times (July/August 2005 issue, page 63), and begins, "You could serve this at a fancy dinner party in Paris, and no one would ever guess that it’s vegan! Strong coffee gives it flavor depth. Folding in Hip Whip, a vegan whipped topping available in the frozen foods section of most natural foods stores, keeps it light, smooth and creamy when frozen." Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/vegan-frozen-chocolate-souffle/.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups vegan carob chips
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup hot, strong coffee
2 Tbs. maple syrup or corn syrup
1 16-oz. pkg. silken tofu, drained
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 7.5-oz. tub vegan frozen whipped topping, thawed
Preparation
Cut strips of aluminum foil long enough to wrap around 6 3-oz. demitasse cups and high enough to make a 1-1/2-inch collar over rims. Secure with a rubber band. (Or, tear a length of foil long enough to go around a 10-oz. soufflé dish. Fold foil in half lengthwise, wind it around dish so it's at least 3 inches above rim. Tie with string.)
Put carob chips into heatproof bowl over pan of simmering water, and melt. Meanwhile, whisk together cocoa, coffee and maple syrup, and stir into melted carob mixture.
Put tofu in blender or food processor; purée 3 minutes, or until smooth. Add carob mixture and vanilla, and process until smooth. Transfer mixture to large bowl.
Whisk thawed whipped topping into carob-tofu mixture. Fill cups 1 inch above rim, or fill dish 2 inches above rim. Freeze 3 hours, or overnight. Remove from freezer 20 to 30 minutes before serving to soften. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired.
CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE PIE
This comes from Shannon Allison-Leszek in the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 82. The recipe begins, "When she’s not bartending at her in-laws’ restaurant or taking care of her two-year-old, Shannon Allison-Leszek spends her time cooking delicious vegan food that even her non-veg family members love. The surprising list of ingredients in this recipe add up to chocolate heaven—hats off to Shannon for finding just the right balance of flavors and textures. (She confided that it took several tries to get it just right.) 1st-place winner in the 2005 Recipe Contest."
Makes 12 servings
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/crunchy-chocolate-truffle-pie/.
Ingredients
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 12-oz. container firm silken tofu
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 9-inch premade graham cracker crust
1/2 cup chopped chocolate-covered pretzels
Preparation
Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate, and heat 30 seconds more. Repeat heating and stirring until chocolate is just melted. Set aside.
Combine tofu and maple syrup in food processor, and blend 3 minutes, or until smooth. Add peanut butter, and process until smooth. Add melted chocolate, and process once more until smooth.
Pour peanut butter-chocolate mixture into pie crust, smoothing the top; refrigerate 20 minutes. Sprinkle pretzels on top, and serve, or refrigerate until ready to eat.
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