Chocolate Raspberry Wonton Hearts

I thought it might be fun to try something new for Valentine's Day this year.  Since I'll be busy tomorrow during the day getting ready for a class to teach I wanted it to be a simple dessert to go with my Valentine dinner. 

I lucked out this year because the weather in Missouri will be in the high 50s tomorrow.  A huge difference from last week and the past month where we've had single digit temperatures with tons of snow.  So to celebrate I'm going to grill tomorrow evening (Valentine's Day) and make this special dessert.

It's a little off the wall yet fun and unique. The best part is it's a cinch to make.

I made this and plated it several different ways which I'll show below.  I have to say I truely enjoyed all three versions but, my favorite was when I drizzled it with both the Raspberry Balsamic Reduction and Chocolate Sauce.

A simple dessert with simple ingredients.  What could be better except of course tasting it.  Make as many or as few as you like. 


Chocolate Raspberry Wonton Hearts

Ingredients:

Chocolate chips (any variety will work)
Wontons
Raspberries
Butter, melted
Raspberry Balsamic Reduction (optional)
Chocolate Sauce (optional)
Powdered Sugar (optional)
Vanilla Ice Cream (optional) or Raspberry Swirl; Chocolate, etc

Preheat oven to 350 F. degrees

Directions:

Place wontons on a smooth surface.  You will need 2 wontons to make a single Chocolate Raspberry Wonton Heart.

Spread melted butter around the edges of one of each pair of wontons.  On the wonton with butter, place 2 raspberries and a small handful of chocolate chips or desired chocolate.

Place other half of wonton on top of the wonton with raspberry and chocolates trying to get the edges to meet as closely as possible. 

Take a heart shaped cookie cutter (optional but cute) and cut the wonton.  If necessary use the tip of a sharp paring knife to cut through the wonton and carefully remove the excess leaving the heart shape. Then with the tip of a fork press down the edges of the heart shaped wonton to seal.                

Set on a foil lined tray that's coated with the butter.  Brush melted butter over the tops of each wonton heart and if desired, sprinkle with granulated sugar.  Continue for each wonton. 

Place in preheated 350 F. degree oven for approximately 8-10 minutes.  Remove from oven and place 2 wontons on a plate with ice cream and drizzle with Raspberry Balsamic Reduction and Chocolate Sauce or Powdered Sugar. Serve while still warm.

The wontons can be prepped ahead of time and left in the refrigerator until just before serving.  Then place in the oven.

These couldn't have been simplier to make.  I purchased ready-made Raspberry Balsamic Reduction at a store here in town however, you can make some or omit it and just use chocolate sauce or the powdered sugar.

 Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Chocolate Truffles

Truffles are the perfect Valentine's dessert. They're soft, luscious and succulent. Although you can purchase these decadent balls of chocolate at most Confectioners in town why not make them? They're really very simple to put together and let's face it, much more meaningful and romantic to give.

Chocolate Truffles should always have a ganache center and be round just like the fungus which they are named after. They can be made in a variety of flavors and finished with a simple cocoa powder dusting, chopped nuts, sprinkles, coconut, etc. Basically whatever suits you.

Ganache, which in this case is the center of the truffle, is a mixture of heavy cream and chocolate that is also widely used for fillings or glazes on cakes and pastries. Even though they have cream in them, they can be stored at room temperature for more than a week. Although I doubt they'll last that long.

Always use the best ingredients. When making truffles you don't want to go for the low-cal version.

• always use heavy cream, which has a high butterfat content. Using a lighter cream will affect the way the ganache sets and handles
• although it's not necessary to add corn syrup when making truffles it helps to keep the ganache smooth and preserve it.
• feel free to add different flavoring ingredients from liquors, fruit juices, purees, and even spices (be daring).
• adding butter isn't necessary either however it gives the truffle that more melt in your mouth sensation. Always use unsalted though if adding.
• most important of course is the Chocolate which is the principal flavor in the truffle centers. Use only good quality chocolate in your ganache. It will make the difference from a Rolls Royce to a Pinto (I'm probably dating myself with that comparison).

Try these simple steps and you're sure to satisfy anyone this Valentine's Day!

Dark Chocolate Truffles
(makes 60 pieces)

1 cup Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp. Light corn syrup
1 Tbsp. Butter, unsalted and softened
2 1/3 cups Dark Chocolate, chopped

2 cups Dark Chocolate chopped for dipping
Instructions:

1. line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper
2. combine the cream and corn syrup in a 2qt. saucepan and bring to a boil
3. remove from the heat. Add butter and chopped chocolate to the cream and stir until smooth.
4. Pour the finished ganache into the baking pan to make a thin layer, then cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
5. Put the firm ganache in a bowl and mix with a spatula.
6. Allow the ganache to rest a room temperature for 5 minutes. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
7. Using a small ice cream scoop or teaspoon, scoop out balls of ganache and place on the sheet pan at room temp.
8. When all the ganache has been scooped and placed on the sheet pan, roll each portion by hand into a round ball.
9. Melt the additional 2 cups chocolate over a double boiler to be used for dipping.
10. Dip the ganache centers into the melted chocolate and place on parchment lined paper OR
11. If desired, after dipping, but before the chocolate sets fully, dust or decorate with anything you desire. Example: cocoa powder, coffee granules, coconut, nuts, etc. Then place on parchment lined paper to set.
    
    Enjoy this luscious and romantic treat. Be daring and add some of your favorite ingredients to the ganache as well as the topping.

Note: If you'd like to learn more about Chocolate Truffles and how to make a variety of these luscious treats, call or email me for an in-home culinary class. It also makes for a fun party idea!