Chocolate Cherry Christmas Recipes

CHOCOLATE & CHERRY CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Drain the cherries in a sieve over a bowl. Cut them in half. Peel the pear, then grate it coarsely.
• In a large bowl, combine the cherries, pear, the raisins, sultanas and brandy. Stir well and cover with clingfilm.
• Heat in the microwave on high for 3 mins, then leave to cool for 5 mins to let the fruit plump up. Break the chocolate into squares while you wait.
• Tip the chocolate and butter into the hot fruit. Stir, then leave to melt. Let it cool, uncovered, for about 15 mins.
• Meanwhile, rub 1 tbsp butter around the inside of a 1-litre pudding basin.
• Lay two sheets of foil over each other and butter the one on top. Holding both sheets together, fold a 3cm pleat across the middle of the foil and set aside.
• Beat the eggs together in a small bowl. Sift the flour, sugar, mixed spice and cocoa powder on top of the chocolatey fruit, then add the breadcrumbs, eggs and ¼ tsp salt.
• Stir everything together with a wooden spoon - it will be quite a wet mixture. Tip it into the buttered basin.
• Cover the pudding with the buttered foil (buttery-side down), and scrunch it over the edge of the basin. Tie string tightly under the lip of the basin, and make a string handle to help you lower the basin in and out of the saucepan later.
• Trim the foil so that a frill of about 5cm is left sticking out, then tuck the frill up and under itself neatly. The aim is to keep the pudding watertight beneath.
• Put a heatproof saucer into the very large saucepan, then put the basin on top. Pour in just-boiled water to come halfway up the basin.
• Cover the pan and steam the pudding for 2½ hrs. Test the pudding is cooked by inserting a skewer through the foil - if there is any wet mixture, steam for 15 mins more then check again.The pan should be simmering rather than boiling hard. Top up the water levels as it cooks, if you need to.
• To store, let the pudding cool and leave in a cool dark place to mature. Don't unwrap the foil. You can make this pudding up to two months before eating.
• To reheat, steam in a pan for 30 mins, or microwave on medium for 5 mins. Remove the foil to microwave, covering with clingfilm instead.
• For the sauce, break the chocolate into squares. Put all the ingredients in a small pan and heat gently, stirring, until smooth. Serve the pudding topped with any remaining cherries, the sauce and a dollop of double cream.

CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE CHERRY COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream shortening and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until well blended.
• Add eggs and almond extract, beating on medium speed until light and fluffy; about 2 minutes.
• Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture gradually, beating on low speed just until blended. Fold in chips, coconut and cherries.
• Drop dough by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.
• Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned around edges.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, stir together all cake ingredients. Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, mix sugar, milk and butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 1-1/2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted. Pour over hot cake. Frosting will harden as it cools.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY FUDGE

Steps:

• In a microwavable bowl, combine milk and chocolate chips. Microwave on high until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred, about 1 minute. Stir in almonds, cherries and extract. Spread evenly in a greased 8-in. square pan. Cover and chill until firm. Cut into squares. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.

DARK CHOCOLATE AND CHERRY CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix together the dried fruit, treacle, olive oil, apple and whiskey and leave for at least 4 hours , or overnight if possible.
• Mix all dry ingredients together.
• Add the egg to the soaked fruit and mix well.
• Finally add the dry ingredients and mix well, but do not over-mix.
• Place the mixture in a pudding basin, 617cm (6 1/2 in) in diameter and 9cm (3 1/2 in) deep, and cover with a circle of greaseproof paper.
• Place a large piece of foil on top of a large piece of greaseproof paper, then fold in the centre to make a pleat.
• Place the pleated papers on top of the pudding basin and use a long piece of string to tightly tie just below the rim of the basin.
• With an extra piece of string, tie a long loop across the top, you can use this as a handle to help lower and lift the pudding in and out of the pan.
• Place a heatproof sauce in the bottom of a large saucepan and sit the pudding on top.
• Fill the pan with enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the basin, then cover with a tightly fitting lid.
• Bring the water to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 4-5 hours.
• Check the water every couple of hours, and add extra boiling water as necessary to maintain the water level until the pudding had cooked.
• Serve with clotted cream.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine flour and cocoa; set aside.
• Beat butter in a med bowl on med speed until softened.
• Add sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• Beat until well mixed.
• Beat in egg and vanilla, scraping the side of the bowl.
• Gradually beat in flour mixture.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
• Place 2-inches apart on an ungreased cooking sheet.
• Press down the centers with your thumb.
• Drain cherries, reserving juice.
• Place a cherry in the center of each cookie in the depression you made with your thumb.
• Combine chocolate pieces and condensed milk in a small saucepan.
• Cook and stir over low heat until the chocolate is melted.
• Stir in 4 teaspoons of the reserved cherry juice.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the chocolate and milk mixture over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry.
• If the frosting is too thick, thin with additional cherry juice.
• Bake in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until edges of cookie is firm.
• Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute.
• Transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry.
• In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary. Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Chill until firm.
• Melt confectioners' coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Dip each cherry in by its stem, and place on waxed paper lined sheets. Chill until completely set. Store in an airtight container in a cool place. Best after 1 or 2 weeks.