National Bittersweet Chocolate Day

Sometimes it's ok to give yourself permission for a

Happy National Bittersweet Chocolate Day January 10th. It's one day you don't want to miss.

Ever Ready is sharing some of her favorites. 

Bittersweet Chocolate Pecan Torte

Cook's notes: The simplicity of this cake with pecans, bittersweet chocolate and a splash of your favorite liqueur make it an irresistible dessert. Recipe adapted from cook'scountry.com
Ingredients:

• 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 6 tablespoons of butter, cut into 3 pieces
• 1-1/2 cups pecan halves, plus 20 or so for decorating outside rim of cake.
• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crème of tartar
• 4 large eggs separated
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar, divided
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua or Amaretto
• 1-1/2 cups chocolate glaze (recipe follows)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9 inch springform pan and line bottom with parchment paper.
• Microwave chocolate and butter in a bowl at 50% power stirring occasionally until melted.
• Process 1-1/2 cups pecans, flour, cinnamon and salt in food processor until finely ground.
• Whip egg whites with 1/4 tsp. crème of tartar until soft and billowy. Gradually add in 1/4 cup sugar until soft peaks form about 2 minutes.
• Whisk egg yolks, vanilla and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Slowly whisk in chocolate mixture until combined. Then whisk in liqueur and mix well. 
• Using a rubber spatula fold half egg white mixture into half of flour pecan mixture and then into half egg mixture/chocolate mixture. Repeat steps until all is incorporated.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake 35 minutes. Rotate pan once during the baking time. Let cake cool completely in pan on wire rack.
• Remove sides from pan and invert cake onto a wire rack. Place wax paper underneath and pour glaze over the top. Carefully slide cake to a serving dish. Arrange pecan halves along the bottom edge and crushed pecans on top. Refrigerate until set about 45 minutes.

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• Pinch of salt 

Chocolate Glaze Directions:

Cooking tip: Plan to use the glaze right after making it.
Place chocolate in a bowl. Heat cream until it almost simmers and pour over chocolate. Let set about 3 minutes and whisk in all other ingredients and blend until smooth.

Some other Ever Ready Bittersweet Chocolate Recipes (previously posted recipes) 

Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse Pie

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/03/chocolate-mousse-pie.html

Bittersweet Chocolate Walnut and Pecan Cookies

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/01/weekend-round-up-part-two.html

Chocolate Mousse Pie

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/09/easy-chocolate-mousse-pie.html

Torta Caprese
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/04/torta-caprese.html

Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/10/saturday-faves.html

OH HAPPY DAY!