Chocolate Easter Bowls Recipes

EDIBLE CHOCOLATE BOWL

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stirring occasionally. Continue heating the chocolate for 10 seconds at a time until completely melted; be careful not to burn the chocolate. Stir until smooth. Let it cool slightly; the heat can pop the balloons.
• Blow up 2 latex balloons to 4 to 6 inches in diameter and tie. Carefully dip each balloon in the chocolate. Rotate and slightly tilt each balloon, allowing the chocolate to go up the sides. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides.
• Cool the balloons in the refrigerator tie-side down in a glass bowl or muffin tin for 5 minutes to set. Carefully snip the ties off with scissors to remove the balloons. The balloons should separate from the chocolate. If the balloons are still stuck to the chocolate, carefully peel off.
• If you'd like the bowls to sit flat for serving, add a dollop of melted chocolate, about 1/2 tablespoon, to the center of the bottom of the bowls and place on a piece of parchment paper. Let set in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

CHOCOLATE BOWLS RECIPE

Steps:

• Start by melting the chocolate candy coating or tempering chocolate . You don't want to use untempered chocolate, because it will get soft at room temperature and your bowls might not hold their shape nicely.
• Set the melted coating or tempered chocolate aside to cool so that it is no longer warm to the touch.
• While the chocolate is cooling, blow up a small bag of balloons to the size you want your bowls to be and tie them off. There's a chance some balloons might pop or bowls might break, so make a few extra just in case. Cover a baking sheet with waxed paper or foil.
• Hold the balloon by the knot on top and slowly dip the bottom of a balloon in the room temperature chocolate. Move gently to acclimatize the balloon to the temperature. Dip it until the chocolate is the depth you want your bowls to be.
• Gently remove the balloon from the chocolate, and set it carefully on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until you've dipped all of your balloons, plus your extras.
• Let the balloons sit at room temperature until the chocolate or coating is entirely set. Once the coating is set, refrigerate the tray briefly to make the chocolate hard-this will make it easier to remove the balloons.
• To get the balloons out, first press around the sides gently, breaking the seal between the balloon and the chocolate. Then hold a balloon below the knot and gently cut a slit above your fingertips, so that you can control the flow of air as it escapes. Slowly release the air from the balloon, and as you do, the balloon will pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it pops, peel off a portion of it still stuck to the balloon and continue gently pulling it away. If you have difficulty, let it sit and come back to it later-the balloon will often start peeling away on its own after it sits.
• Once all your chocolate bowls have had the balloons removed, fill them with ice cream, mousse, whipped cream, cold dessert soup, or candies. Store chocolate bowls between layers of waxed paper at cool room temperature.

CHOCOLATE PASTEL EASTER CAKE WITH A CHOCOLATE VERMICELLI NEST

Steps:

• Make the nest: Heat the oil to 375 degrees F in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Line an 8-inch diameter bowl with plastic wrap leaving some overhang. Line another medium bowl with paper towels. Separate the vermicelli bundles lengthwise into 1-inch-wide sections. (It's okay if some noodles break off, you may still use them.) Drop one bunch into the oil; the noodles will immediately puff and the oil will bubble vigorously. Cook for 10 to 15 seconds, until the oil stops bubbling and the vermicelli are crisp. Using a spider or mesh strainer, transfer the noodles to the paper towel-lined bowl and immediately sprinkle with salt, tossing to coat. When the temperature returns to 375 drop another bunch in. Repeat the frying process until all of the vermicelli, including any loose or broken pieces are cooked. Set the fried vermicelli aside.
• Heat the chocolate in a small microwavable bowl in the microwave until melted, about 2 minutes, pausing every 30 seconds to stir with a rubber spatula. Remove the paper towels from the bowl of vermicelli and discard. Scrape the melted chocolate into the bowl of vermicelli. Wearing latex gloves, use your hands to toss the vermicelli with the chocolate until the noodles are completely coated and sticky. Gently press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the plastic lined bowl leaving the edges uneven and ragged to resemble a bird's nest. Chill the nest in the bowl until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Make the cake. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with circles of parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-high and slowly add the sugar, beating until the mixture is light and smooth, about 4 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and beat on medium, 1 minute more. Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low and add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 1 minute between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Combine the milk with 1 1/4 cups water in a small saucepan, bring just to a boil and remove from the heat.
• With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, until it is incorporated. Turn off the mixer, then carefully pour the hot liquid into the batter and combine by hand with a whisk until smooth. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Lightly tap each pan on the counter to settle the batter.
• Bake until the cakes begin to pull away from the sides of the pans and the centers spring back when touched lightly, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife or small spatula around the edges of the pan, turn out the cake layers and place on the rack to cool completely.
• Make the buttercream: Beat the butter, confectioners¿ sugar and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until just combined. Add the vanilla extract and increase the speed to medium-high, beating until fluffy and creamy, about 3 minutes. Beat in 2 tablespoons milk and the food coloring, if using, to make a pastel shade. Continue beating until light and spreadable, 2 minutes. If the frosting seems too stiff, add the remaining tablespoon of milk.
• To assemble: Place 1 cake layer right-side up on a cake stand or flat plate and top with 1 cup of frosting. Using a large offset spatula, spread the icing evenly over the layer to the edges. Place the other layer, on top. Evenly spread half of the remaining frosting over the top, leaving a small off-center mound to place the nest on. Spread the remaining frosting around the sides of the cake in a swirly pattern. Lift the chocolate nest from the bowl by the plastic-wrap overhang. Peel off the plastic and discard. Place the nest on the top of the cake on the mound of frosting and fill with candy coated eggs.

CANDY-FILLED CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG

Steps:

• Using a 2-pound plastic Easter egg chocolate candy mold as a guide, cut the cake to fit inside the base of the mold; set aside (discard the extra cake). Refrigerate the mold to chill, about 15 minutes.
• Put half the milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining chocolate and continue to stir until smooth; this will result in a tempered chocolate that will set hard. Transfer 3/4 cup of the chocolate to a small bowl; set aside.
• Swirl half the remaining chocolate inside the mold to coat completely. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Repeat with the other half of the chocolate, swirling to create a thick layer; refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Fill the egg with the candy. Top with the cake cutout and press down firmly so the cake is flush with the mold (trim away any extra cake with a serrated knife).
• Microwave the reserved chocolate to remelt if needed, then measure out 1/2 cup. Spread the chocolate over the cake with a spatula to cover completely. Refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes.
• Invert the egg onto a serving platter or cake stand; remove the mold. Microwave the remaining chocolate to remelt if needed, then transfer to a piping bag with a small round tip. Use the chocolate to attach candies to the outside of the egg. Chill until ready to serve.
• Serve the egg with a big spoon or meat mallet and encourage guests to crack it open and watch the candy pour out.

CHOCOLATE BALLOON BOWLS

Steps:

• Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a glass bowl and place over a pot with simmering water until melted. Whisk the mixture together, take the bowl off the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, blow up the water balloons. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread out the wafers on the parchment.
• Dip one end of each balloon into the cooled chocolate mixture and place each balloon chocolate-side down on top of a wafer, waiting a second before releasing to set. Allow to set completely, refrigerating if desired to speed up the process.
• Pop the balloons and fill with your favorite candy or snack.