Chocolate Marble Terrine Recipes

MARBLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray or lightly butter two 9-inch cake pans. Set aside.
• Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the granulated and brown sugars and beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes until creamed. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the eggs then the egg yolks one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Do not overmix. Use a whisk to rid any large lumps, if needed. The batter will be slightly thick.
• Remove 1 cup of yellow batter and pour into a medium bowl. Melt 4 ounces of chocolate in the microwave, stopping and stirring every 20 seconds until completely smooth. Pour chocolate into the 1 cup of yellow batter you set aside and stir until combined.
• Pour an even layer of the yellow batter into each cake pan. Spoon chocolate batter on top, as shown in the photo above. Pour remaining yellow batter on top of the chocolate. Using a knife, swirl the two batters together. Don't worry if it's not perfect.
• Bake the layers for 22-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one cake comes out clean. Mine usually take 24 minutes. During bake time, loosely cover the cakes with aluminum foil if you find the tops are browning too quickly. Remove cakes from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and cream with the mixer running on low. Once added, increase to high speed and beat for 3 full minutes. Add 1-2 more Tablespoons confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. Taste the frosting and add a pinch more salt if it's too sweet.
• If needed, level cakes to create a flat surface (I usually use a knife, be careful doing this!). Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or large serving plate. Evenly spread about 3/4 cup frosting on top. Top with 2nd cake and spread the remaining frosting all over the sides and top. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Slice and serve.
• Cover any leftover cake and store at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

DARK CHOCOLATE TERRINE

Steps:

• Lightly oil an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2-inch loaf pan and line it as neatly as possible with plastic wrap, allowing the ends to drape over the sides. (I lay two pieces of plastic wrap crosswise in the pan, overlapping in the center.) Place the pan in the freezer.
• Place a large heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Place the butter in the bowl, then the chocolate and coffee powder and heat until just melted, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula. As soon as the chocolate and butter are melted, take the bowl off the heat and whisk in, one at a time, and in order, first the confectioners' sugar, then the cocoa powder, egg yolks, Cognac and salt. Set the bowl aside for 15 minutes to cool.
• Place the egg whites and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high speed until the whites form firm but not dry peaks. Fold the whites into the cooled chocolate mixture with a rubber spatula.
• Without cleaning the bowl or whisk attachment, pour the cream and vanilla into the bowl and beat on high speed until it forms firm peaks. Fold the cream carefully but thoroughly into the chocolate mixture. Pour into the prepared loaf pan, smooth the top, fold the plastic wrap over the top and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
• To serve, turn the terrine out of the mold and unwrap it. Spoon a puddle of Orange Sauce in the middle of each dessert plate and place a slice of the terrine in the middle. Sprinkle each serving lightly with orange zest and fleur de sel.
• Beat the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until very thick. Reduce to low speed and mix in the cornstarch.
• With the mixer still on low, slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture (I use a liquid measuring cup for pouring). Pour the mixture into a clean, small, deep saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it reaches 180 degrees F on a candy thermometer and thickens to the consistency of heavy cream. The mixture will coat the spoon. Don't cook it above 180 degrees F or the eggs will scramble! Immediately (it will keep cooking in the saucepan), pour the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and stir in the vanilla, Cognac, Grand Marnier and orange zest. Cover and chill.

CHOCOLATE TERRINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, fitted into a saucepan, covering but not touching barely simmering water, melt chocolate and butter.
• Add the coffee and sugar and continue to whisk to dissolve the sugar. Continue cooking until very hot approximately 120 degrees F.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the eggs. Pour into foil-lined loaf pan and bake in a water bath for 40 minutes.
• Let cool, then chill overnight. Turn out the next day and serve in slices.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL TERRINE

Steps:

• Oil a 900g loaf tin and line with a double layer of baking parchment. Put the cream, cocoa, 200g caramel and a pinch of salt in a pan set over a medium heat and bring to the boil, whisking occasionally to combine. Tip the chocolate into a medium heatproof bowl and pour over the hot cream mixture. Leave to sit for 1 min, then stir everything together until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Leave to cool slightly for 5-10 mins.
• Beat the mascarpone into the cooled chocolate mixture using an electric whisk for 3-4 mins until smooth, glossy and the whisk leaves a trail behind in the mixture.
• To assemble the terrine, press the top halves of the caramel wafers into the bottom of the tin, cut-side up, trimming to fit if needed.
• Beat the remaining caramel with a whisk to loosen it, then spread half over the wafers in the tin. Spoon half the chocolate mixture over the top, then arrange the remaining wafer halves over the chocolate layer. Cover with the remaining caramel, ensuring everything is evenly covered, then top with the rest of the chocolate mixture. Cover the terrine with a strip of baking parchment, then freeze for at least 6 hrs, or overnight.
• Remove the terrine from the freezer 10 mins before serving, then turn out onto a chilled dish or serving plate. Dust generously with cocoa powder before cutting into slices.

CHOCOLATE MARBLE TERRINE

Steps:

• Butter a 1 1/2-quart terrine mold or loaf pan and line with plastic wrap.
• For the Dark Chocolate Mousse, cut chocolate and butter into small pieces and combine in a bowl.
• In a medium saucepan, bring about 2 inches of water to a simmer.
• Remove pan from heat.
• Set the bowl of chocolate over the hot water and stir until chocolate has melted.
• Cool, and then add the cream, 2 tablespoons at a time, stirring well.
• Stir in the cognac.
• Cover mixture with plastic and let stand at room temperature until firm and cool, at least 2 hours.
• Do not refrigerate.
• For the White Chocolate Mousse, follow the procedure above, substituting white chocolate for the semisweet.
• For the Chocolate Sauce, cut chocolate into small pieces.
• In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup water, and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in chocolate.
• Let chocolate mixture stand 2 minutes, and then whisk until smooth.
• Set aside to cool.
• Recipe can be prepared to this point a day ahead.
• For the meringue, in a medium saucepan, bring about 2 inches of water to a simmer.
• Combine egg whites and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer or in a large bowl.
• Set bowl over the simmering water and gently whisk until egg whites are warm and sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.
• Remove bowl from simmering water, and using the whisk attachment of mixer, whip until meringue is cool and stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes.
• Set aside.
• Beat White Chocolate Mousse on medium speed until lightened in texture and color, about 3 minutes.
• Repeat with Dark Chocolate Mousse.
• Immediately fold 1/3 of the meringue into the Dark Chocolate Mousse; 2/3 of the meringue into the White Chocolate Mousse.
• Spoon the Dark Chocolate Mousse on top of the White Chocolate Mousse in one bowl.
• Using a spatula, marbleize the mixtures with about 6 turns of the spatula, being careful not to overmix.
• Gently pour mixture into the mold.
• Give mold several raps against a towel-covered surface to level the mousse, and then cover with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate for 8 hours or up to 2 days.
• Just before serving: Wrap the mold in a hot, wet cloth.
• Invert pan onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch-thick slices with warm, dry knife.
• Spoon Chocolate Sauce onto dessert plates and gently lay slices on top.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE TERRINE

Steps:

• Up to one month before: melt the chocolate and half the butter in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water. (Or melt in the microwave on Medium for 3 minutes.) When melted, stir with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth consistency, then allow to cool slightly.
• The day before: line 2 x 1.7 litre terrine or loaf tins with cling film. In a very large bowl, big enough to take all the terrine ingredients, beat the rest of the butter with 200g/8oz sugar using an electric hand whisk. It should become smooth. Now stir in the cocoa until you have a smooth chocolatey paste.
• Wash your beaters, then whisk the double cream until it forms soft peaks but no further. Underwhipped is better than overwhipped for this recipe. Wash the beaters again, then whisk the egg whites to form soft peaks.
• Stir in 125ml/4fl oz of the cherry brandy (save the rest for the syrup) and the cooled melted chocolate and butter into the cocoa butter paste. Stir in the cherries, then finally fold in your gently whipped cream, followed by the egg whites, until evenly mixed. Pour into the terrines and gently bang on a hard surface to settle. (You can prepare and freeze this up to a month ahead, or overnight.)
• Pour the remaining cherry brandy and the remaining 100g/4oz sugar into a small heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce by about two thirds to make a syrup, then allow to cool.
• Take the terrines out of the freezer and tip them on to a board. Line the tins with fresh cling film. As soon as the terrines are soft enough to slice but still firm, after 10-15 minutes, cut each one into 10 slices using a sharp knife so you get a lovely clean line with clear segments of cherries.Return the slices to the tins, interleafing each slice with greaseproof to keep them separate (see left). The last slice may not fit exactly, but don't worry. Cover and return to the freezer.
• One hour before serving: transfer to the fridge to take the chill off. Just before serving, lay a slice of the terrine on a spoonful of mascarpone, then drizzle each plate with syrup.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE TERRINE

Steps:

• Since the flavor of these layers depends entirely on the chocolate, please use the best brand you can afford- I like Callebaut, but you can also use Lindt, Tobler, Valrhona or Ghiardelli.
• Using a standard loaf pan, line it with plastic wrap so that the plastic extends beyond the sides of the pan by at least 3 inches on each side.
• For the dark chocolate layer: melt the chocolate, espresso, and rum in the microwave on 50% power for about 2 minutes.
• Stir until smooth.
• Whisk in the yolk and mix well.
• Set aside.
• Whip the whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
• Sprinkle in the sugar, beating on high until stiff, but not dry.
• Fold a quarter of the whites into the chocolate to lighten it, then scrape the remaining whites on top of the chocolate and set aside.
• Beat the cream until it holds it shape (not stiff) then scrape on top of the whites.
• Fold everything together gently until no streaks of white appear.
• Turn the mousse into your prepared mold, spreading until it is an even layer.
• Place in the freezer.
• Make the milk chocolate layer: melt the chocolate and coffee in the microwave on 30% (low) power for about 2 minutes.
• Stir until smooth and completely melted.
• (Milk chocolate burns very easily. Do not attempt to melt it at a higher temperature.) Set aside to cool slightly.
• Whip the cream until soft peaks form- not too stiff.
• Fold very carefully into the milk chocolate- it will seem very soft.
• Scrape on top of the dark chocolate layer, smoothing to an even layer.
• Put in the freezer.
• Make the white chocolate layer: place the chocolate and 2 tbl.
• water in a heatproof bowl.
• Microwave on low (30% power) for about 2 minutes.
• Stir until very smooth and completely melted.
• Let cool slightly.
• Whip the cream until soft peaks form- not too stiff.
• Fold very carefully into the chocolate- it, too, will seem very soft.
• Scrape on top of the milk chocolate layer, smoothing to an even layer.
• Now- gently, gently tap the pan a couple of times on the counter to allow all the layers to settle against one another.
• Carefully wrap the excess plastic up over the mousse.
• Put the entire thing in the freezer for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
• It also freezes well for a month prior to serving.
• To serve: Take the pan from the freezer, and set in a pan of hot water for 10 seconds.
• Carefully unwrap the plastic from the top, then unmold onto a cutting board, pulling on the plastic wrap to help release it.
• Peel the plastic from the mousse and discard.
• Slice the mousse into 8 slices (this is done more easily with a knife you run under hot water then wipe dry quickly and cut while the knife is still warm) and carefully arrange on individual plates.
• Serve immediately.
• Serving suggestions: raspberry sauce and a few berries and a sprig of mint, or be really decadent and serve it with a drizzle of hot fudge sauce and a sprig of mint or both.

RASPBERRY & DARK CHOCOLATE CHEAT'S ICE CREAM TERRINE

Steps:

• Line a 900g loaf tin (ours was 9 x 20 x 7cm) with two sheets of overlapping baking parchment, leaving some overhanging on all sides of the tin. Put 175g of the raspberries, the caster sugar and lemon juice in a pan over a medium heat and simmer for 3 mins until softened slightly. Tip into a food processor or use a hand blender to blitz until smooth.
• Whisk the double cream, vanilla and condensed milk using an electric whisk until soft peaks form. Pour in the raspberry purée, then stir carefully a few times to marble the raspberry through the cream.
• Tip the remaining raspberries into the base of the lined tin. Cover with a third of the cream mixture, spreading it out evenly. Tap the tin down on a surface so that the mixture covers the raspberries. Using a spoon, drizzle over half of the melted chocolate to cover the cream. Top with another third of the cream mixture and spread it out. Drizzle over the remaining chocolate and top with the remaining cream.
• Use the overhanging parchment to cover the top of the tin, using more parchment if it doesn't cover the terrine completely, and freeze for at least 8 hrs, or overnight. Before serving, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 mins. Tip upside down and remove from the tin, and drizzle with a little more melted chocolate to decorate. Run boiling water over your knife, wipe dry, and slice to serve.

WHITE & DARK CHOCOLATE TERRINE

Steps:

• Brush a 2lb loaf tin (about 22 x 11 x 6cm) with oil, line completely with cling film (the oil will help it to stick to the sides), then line the base with a strip of baking parchment. Gently melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, then remove from the heat and leave to cool a little. Using an electric whisk, beat in 200ml of the cream until the mixture is just holding its own shape. Set aside while you make the dark layer.
• Melt the dark chocolate as you did the white, then remove from the heat and cool for 1 min. Little by little, stir the remaining cream into the melted chocolate until you have a smooth, thick ganache. Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, stir a third into the ganache to loosen it, then fold in the rest.
• To assemble, spoon just under half of the dark mixture into the loaf tin and smooth the surface. Spoon over the white chocolate and smooth, then gently spoon the remaining dark chocolate mixture over the top, being careful not to disturb the white layer, again smoothing the surface. Cover and chill for at least 2 hrs. If you're making the terrine the day before, let it sit at room temperature for 1 hr before serving.
• To serve, turn the tin upside down onto a serving plate and use the edges of cling film to ease out the terrine. Remove the cling film and baking parchment and serve with the Star anise biscuits (see Goes well with, right).

CHOCOLATE MARQUISE

Steps:

• Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Then assemble a bain-marie - do this by pouring a little water into a saucepan and placing the bowl over the water (making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl). Set the pan over a gentle heat and warm the water until the chocolate has melted. Take off the heat and leave to cool a little.
• Meanwhile, place the butter and half the sugar into another large bowl. Using a tabletop mixer or electric hand whisk, beat until the mixture is really light and creamy, then beat in the cocoa powder.
• Separate the eggs (the whites can be frozen for another time) and put the yolks in a third bowl. Tip in the remaining sugar, then beat together until pale and creamy. To check if it's ready, make a figure-of-eight shape in the mixture with the beater - it should hold its shape for a moment. In a fourth bowl, whip the cream until thickened with soft peaks.
• Pour the melted chocolate into the butter mixture, and carefully stir through until it is well combined. Gently fold in the egg mixture. When this is amalgamated, stir in the whipped cream. Now line a 6.5 x 22cm tin with 3 layers of cling film, leaving a 10cm overhang.
• Spoon the mixture into a large piping bag with a large nozzle attached (see Gordon's steps, far right). Pipe a layer over the bottom of the tin, then cover this with a layer of After Eights (cut some in half to ensure they fit). Pipe over another layer of chocolate cream, followed by a layer of After Eights. Continue until you have 4 layers of chocolate mints and the tin is full, finishing with a chocolate cream layer. Fold over the cling film, then chill overnight or up to 2 days.
• Just before serving, place the marquise in the freezer for 10 mins to make it easier to slice. Place the tin, bottomside up, on a serving plate, slide off the tin, then peel away the cling film. If you have a blowtorch, quickly run the flame over the surface of the marquise to give it a glossy sheen. Alternatively, dip a palette knife in boiling water and smooth the surface that way. Use a serrated knife dipped in boiling water to cut the marquise into slices.