Chocolate Pithivier Recipes

CHOCOLATE PITHIVIER

Steps:

• for the filling, stir the butter and sugar in a pan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved but not caramelized. Add the chocolate and stir until smooth.
• Mix cocoa, almonds, and cornstarch in medium bowl. Stir in the chocolate mixture. Finally, stir in the eggs. Beat the mixture briefly until well mixed. Set aside but do not refrigerate.
• Place the pastry on floured work surface. Dust the top with flour and roll out into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Using a plain 3 inch cutter, cut out 16 rounds of pastry. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the filling into the center of eight of the pastry rounds. Brush the egg around the edges of the pastry and place the remaining pastry rounds over the filling, pressing down gently to seal.
• Using the back of a pastry cutter two sizes smaller, carefully center it over the top and press down firmly. This will leave a mark and prevents the Pithivier from opening during the baking.
• Preheat the oven to 400°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the pithiviers on the baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes. Brush the tops with egg and use the back of a knife to mark curved lines from the center to the edge of the pastry all the way around each Pithivier. Bake until Golden Brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Serves eight

PITHIVIERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine butter and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add almond flour, 2 egg yolks, and rum; mix until frangipane is smooth.
• Roll out puff pastry sheets and cut into 2 equal circles. Place the first circle on the baking sheet and pierce several times with a fork. Spread frangipane on the circle, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
• Brush uncovered puff pastry edge with a little water and lay the second puff pastry circle on top. Seal the edges by pressing together.
• Using a sharp knife, cut a decorative pattern around the rim. Trace decorative lines onto the surface without cutting all the way through. Beat remaining egg yolk with a fork; brush over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until pastry is puffed up and lightly browned, about 20 minutes more.
• Remove from the oven and dust with confectioners' sugar.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Place pithiviers under the broiler and broil until a golden, shiny crust forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure it doesn't burn.

HAZELNUT AND CHOCOLATE PITHIVIERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut 1 pastry sheet into 9 1/2-inch-diameter round. Transfer to heavy large cookie sheet; chill.
• Using electric mixer, cream butter and sugar in medium bowl until fluffy. Mix in nuts, flour and vanilla. Mix in 1 egg. Spread filling evenly over chilled pastry round, leaving 1/2-inch border at edge. Arrange chocolate pieces over filling, spacing evenly. Chill 15 minutes.
• Beat remaining egg to blend in small bowl. Cut second pastry sheet into 9 1/2-inch-diameter round. Brush border of filled pastry with beaten egg. Top with second pastry round, pressing edges together firmly to seal. Crimp edges decoratively. Brush pastry with beaten egg. Cut small vent hole in center. Using tip of small sharp knife, score half circles 1/2 inch apart in top of pastry, beginning at vent and ending at crimped edge. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Bake pastry until puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on cookie sheet. Transfer pastry to platter. Serve warm or at room temperature, cutting pastry into wedges.

PITHIVIER

Steps:

• Prepare the almond cream, place it in a pastry bag with a large opening (no tip) and set aside.
• Prepare the pithivier: Cut the puff pastry dough in 1/2 and roll each 1/2 into an 8 1/2-inch circle. Each circle will be about 1/8-inch thick. Place 1 of the circles on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. Pipe a 5-inch-diameter mound of almond cream in the center of the circle. The mound should be about 1-inch high.
• Prepare the egg wash: Whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, and milk in a small bowl until well combined. Lightly brush the remaining 1 1/2-inch rim of the pastry circle with the egg wash. Place the second circle of puff pastry over the first. Gently press against the sides of the almond cream mound to remove any trapped air. Seal the edges of the 2 layers by pressing the top edge into the bottom edge. This will keep the almond cream from running out as it bakes. Use a sharp knife to give the circle a fluted edge. It should look like a flower when finished. Use a sharp knife to pierce a 1/2-inch slit in the top layer at the center of the almond cream mound. This will allow steam to escape during baking.
• This dessert usually has a classic pattern scored into its top. If you would like to try it, use a sharp knife to score a curved line that begins at the top of the mound and ends at the bottom of the mound. Repeat this line every 1/2-inch around the circumference of the mound, but be careful not to cut through the top layer and into the almond cream. Let the pithivier rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour before baking. (At this point, you can wrap the pithivier well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Let it thaw in the refrigerator or in your backpack before baking.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the pithiviers until it begins to brown slightly, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the glaze: Stir together the corn syrup and water. Remove the pithivier from the oven and brush it well with the corn syrup mixture. This adds sweetness, enhances the color, and gives it a crispy crust. Lower the oven 20 degrees and continue to bake until well risen and evenly browned, about another 15 minutes. The baked pithivier should be flaky and tender, and the almond cream center still moist. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. The pithivier is best when served while it is still slightly warm. Use a serrated knife to slice it.
• I can't tell you how long the baked Pithivier can be stored because I never have any leftovers!
• It is possible to buy almond flour (use 1 cup if you do) but it just as easy to make your own. Place the slivered almonds (no skin preferred) and granulated sugar into the food processor. Pulse until the almonds and sugar reach the consistency of flour. It is best to pulse because the heat of the blade will cause the release of the oil from the almonds.
• Mix in the flour. Mix in the butter. Add the egg and mix until the mixture becomes light and creamy. Do not overmix or the gluten in the flour will overdevelop and the almond cream will lose its delicate texture when baked.