Chocolate Hazelnut Raspberry Goodness Recipes

WHITE CHOCOLATE, RASPBERRY & HAZELNUT MARBLE TORTE

Steps:

• For the sponge, heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, then grease and line the base of a deep 22cm springform cake tin. Finely chop the toasted hazelnuts in a food processor, then tip into a bowl with the sugar, flour and bicarbonate of soda. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then quickly stir the butter, milk and yolks into the dry ingredients. When the mixture is smooth, stir in one-third of the egg whites, then gently fold in the rest. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, bake for 40-50 mins until the cake is golden andspringy to touch, then allow to cool.
• For the mousse, melt the chocolate in a glass bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, then let it cool slightly. Soften the gelatine in water, squeeze out, then put in a small pan with 100ml of the cream. Gently warm over a low heat until the gelatine is melted (you shouldn't be able to see any clear streaks in the cream), then tip into a bowl with the remaining cream and egg whites. Make sure you thoroughly scrape out the pan so no gelatine is left behind. Beat until it holds its shape, then spoon a quarter of this creamy mixture into the melted chocolate. Mix briefly until smooth. Fold in the remaining cream mix and raspberries, swirling the mixture so the berries begin to marble the mousse, then set aside until the cake is cool.
• To assemble, split the sponge in half and re-line the base of the cake tin with baking parchment. Use a long continuous strip of baking parchment to wrap around and line the inside, as this will help to make the sides of the finished torte look smooth. Press the bottom half of the cake back into the tin, sprinkle with half of the liqueur, then gently spoon over the mousse. Sprinkle the cut side of the top cake with the remaining liqueur and put this, liqueur-soaked side down, on top of the mousse. Press down gently, wrap the entire tin in cling film, then chill overnight.
• To serve, remove the torte from the fridge about 1 hr before you want to eat it, release from the tin, then gently peel off the baking parchment. Lightly dust the top of the torte with icing sugar, then pile on the chocolate curls (see box, below) and a few raspberries.

RASPBERRY PAIN AU CHOCOLAT (RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CROISSANTS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Unfold the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each one into thirds along the fold lines. Roll each strip of dough out to about 16 inches long, and cut strips into thirds.
• Spread some of the hazelnut spread onto one half of each rectangle to within 1/2 inch of the edge. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of the raspberry jam over the hazelnut spread. Brush the edges with egg, and fold over the other side to enclose the filling. Press the edges firmly to seal. Repeat with the remaining rectangles. Use a sharp knife to cut 5 slits across the top of each pastry, and place them on baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Cool on racks. Dust with confectioners' sugar when cooled if desired.

RASPBERRY, CHOCOLATE & HAZELNUT BREAKFAST BREAD

Steps:

• Up to 3 days before you want to bake (and best if at least 1 day), mix the yeast, 400g of the flour, the sugar and 1 tsp salt in a big bowl. Whisk together the milk, melted butter and egg, then tip into the dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon. Cover tightly with greased cling film and chill at least overnight or up to 3 days.
• When you're ready to finish the bread, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Add the remaining flour to the dough and use your hands to mix in. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and lightly knead to completely bring together. Roll out with a little more flour to a 50 x 30cm rectangle. Spread the Nutella all over the dough. Scatter the raspberries evenly over, then press lightly with your hands so they stick into the dough a bit.
• With a long side facing you, roll up as tightly as you can (like a Swiss roll). Use a sharp knife, dusted with a little flour, to cut the roll in half down the length - but not quite through at one end, so the 2 strips are still joined. Twist the 2 strips together, then bring the ends together to make a wreath, pinching the ends together to stick. Lift onto a baking sheet, scatter with the hazelnuts and granulated sugar, and bake for 30-40 mins until browned and crusty.
• Cool until just warm. Serve with butter, raspberry jam and extra Nutella, if you like.