Spicy Chocolate Mousse Pie

In this recipe, we explore the uniquely complex and deeply satisfying flavors of Mexican chocolate. This Spicy Chocolate Mousse Pie boasts a crumbly, chocolate cookie crust, and a mousse so light it almost evaporates in your mouth. Meanwhile, a little sweet heat is left behind ready to tickle your taste buds!

Spicy Chocolate Mousse Pie with Fresh, Homemade Vanilla Whipped Cream
Makes one 9-inch pie

Chocolate Mousse Filling:
1 tablespoon hot water
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
4 pasteurized egg whites (or 1/2 cup pasteurized liquid egg whites)
1 cup sugar
10 oz. 70% semisweet baking chocolate, chopped, plus some for garnishing
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream, divided
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crust:
2-1/2 cups chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs (roughly 30 cookies; like Oreos)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder
Pinch of salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 1 tablespoon for greasing the pie dish

Vanilla Whipped Cream:
1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Make the crust. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a pie dish pan with 1 tablespoon melted butter.

2. In a food processor, pulse the chocolate cookies (including filling) until fine crumbs form, about 2 minutes. Add the cinnamon, espresso powder and a pinch of salt and pulse a few times to incorporate. In a medium bowl, melt the remaining butter and mix in the cookie crumbs, coating them until the crumbs are coated.

3. Pour the crumb mixture into the pie dish and use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the mixture firmly to the edges to create a crust. Bake for 10 minutes until crust is set. Let it cool to room temperature.

4. Prepare the mousse filling by combining the espresso powder in the hot water, stirring until dissolved. Set aside. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites and sugar on medium high speed until the whites have tripled in volume and stiff peaks have formed, roughly 5-6 minutes. Use a spatula to scrape the mixture into a large bowl.

5. Clean the mixing bowl and in the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and vanilla on medium-high speed until medium peaks form and the cream is pillowy, roughly 2 minutes. Do not over whisk.

6. Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl positioned over a saucepan of simmering water stirring until the chocolate is melted and smooth, roughly 4-5 minutes. Stir in the espresso mixture.

7. Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the egg whites, then gently fold in the whipped cream to the egg and chocolate mixture until no white streaks are left. Do not over mix or the mousse will start to deflate.

8. Use a large spoon to scoop the mousse into the pie dish and spread it evenly over the bottom of the crust. Mound the remaining in the center to be higher than the crust edge. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

9. Make the whipped cream topping by whisking the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, roughly 2 minutes. Do not over whip or the cream will become curdled and grainy. Top the pie with the whipped cream and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. When ready to serve, sprinkle with the shaved chocolate and dust with a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne, if desired.

Chocolate Orange Holiday Cookies

The flavors of chocolate and orange are a classic holiday duo for well-deserved reasons! In this recipe, rich dark chocolate is paired with light and bright citrus, resulting in a cookie that tastes so sophisticated, you’ll be happy you if you chose to make a double batch!

Chocolate Orange Cookies - Slice & Bake
Makes about 24 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1 tablespoon orange zest (about 1 medium orange)
4 oz dark chocolate chunks, finely chopped, plus
16 oz dark chocolate chunks for melting
Coarse sugar for rolling, (such as sugar in the raw)
Flake sea salt Additional orange zest for sprinkling

Directions:
1. In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugars and beat on medium until light and fluffy. Add the egg and almond extract and beat on high speed until the ingredients are fully combined, roughly 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Add the orange juice and continue mixing for another minute.

2. Sift the flour in a separate bowl and mix in the salt and cardamom. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Fold in the orange zest and the 4 oz of finely chopped chocolate until evenly distributed. Gather and remove the dough from the mixer.

3. On a floured surface, divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a log, about 2-1/2 inches in diameter, and wrap in plastic wrap. Completely chill the dough (for at least 2 hrs, or for up to 1 week).

4. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove one of the dough logs from the refrigerator. Roll the logs in the coarse sugar and use a sharp, serrated knife to slice the log into individual rounds, roughly 1/2" thick. Place the cookies on a large cookie sheet, roughly 2" apart and bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges of cookies are just starting to brown. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

5. While the cookies are cooling, melt 16 oz of chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave (careful not to burn the chocolate if microwaving!). Dip each cookie halfway into the chocolate to coat one half, and place the half-coated cookie on a parchment paper, or a silicone-lined baking sheet. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle the cookies with the flake salt and orange zest. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate set.

Store the cookies in the refrigerator to ensure the chocolate stays set.

Handmade English Toffee

This nutty toffee has a buttery flavor with a rich caramel taste and crunchy, texture - perfect for gifting and sharing this holiday season! With just a ingredients and some kitchen alchemy, delicious toffee is easy to make with the assist of a candy thermometer. The other secret to great toffee is proper toasting of the nuts. We’ll walk you through the all the steps needed for immediate success! Makes about 75 candies.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups almonds, finely chopped (or pecans or walnuts if you prefer)
2 cups butter, unsalted (4 sticks)
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup warm water
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet (or bittersweet) chocolate chips
Sea salt for sprinkling on top (optional)

Directions:
1. Prepare a sheet pan 17” x 12” by lightly buttering, or lining with a piece of parchment paper also lightly greased. (This pan size will make 1/4-inch thick toffee pieces. Use a larger pan for thinner toffee, or a smaller pan for thicker toffee.)
2. Toast the almonds lightly in a low oven, 350°F, by spreading on a sheet pan and roasting for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant and just beginning to turn a golden color. Watch carefully during toasting. Transfer the toasted almonds to a bowl to cool. Set aside.
3. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the butter, sugar, salt, water, and vanilla. Over medium heat, warm the ingredients, stirring continuously until the butter is melted and the sugar dissolved.
4. Over medium-low heat, allow the mixture to cook to 300°F, hard-crack stage. Stir occasionally during the process. This will take 20-35 minutes. (If you do not have a candy thermometer, test for the hard crack sugar stage by placing a small amount of the butter-sugar syrup in cold water. If it quickly forms hard, breakable strands, it’s at hard crack stage. If the mixture remains soft and pliable, it is at soft ball, or soft crack stage and has not reached the required temperature.)
5. Stir in 3/4 cup of the toasted almonds (reserving the remaining 3/4 cup for the top). Immediately, pour the mixture into the prepared sheet pan, spreading evenly. Allow to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
6. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the toffee. After about another 5 minutes, spread the now warm chips over the top with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Immediately sprinkle the remaining toasted almonds on top of the melted chocolate and press in lightly.
7. Allow the cooling to continue for another 2 hours, then break the sheet of toffee into bite-sized pieces. Store in a cool, dry, airtight container, or package in gift bags and share with others!