Layered Mocha Banana Yum Recipes

LAYERED MOCHA

Steps:

• Microwave 4 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate with 1/4 cup water on 50 percent power until melted, 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Divide among 4 small mugs and top each with a spoonful of condensed milk and a shot of hot espresso.

LAYERED MOCHA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. , In a small bowl, mix cookie crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom of prepared pan. In another bowl, mix the coffee granules, hot water and cinnamon; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. , Divide batter in half. Stir melted chocolate into one portion; pour over crust. Stir coffee mixture into the remaining batter; spoon over chocolate layer. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. , Bake at 325° for 60-65 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack for 10 minutes; loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., Remove rim from pan. For glaze, in a microwave, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Spread over cheesecake. Top with coffee beans if desired.

LAYERED MOCHA CREAM TORTE

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend ground cookies and coffee powder in processor. Set aside 3/4 cup cookie crumb mixture. Add butter to remaining crumb mixture and process until crumbs are moist. Press mixture onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Bake crust until just firm to touch, about 10 minutes. Cool completely.
• Make fillings:
• Stir chocolate, butter and 1 teaspoon coffee powder in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Set chocolate mixture aside while preparing meringue.
• Stir 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons water in small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil syrup without stirring until candy thermometer registers 240°F, tilting pan to submerge bulb, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using electric mixer, beat whites in large bowl to soft peaks.
• Gradually beat hot syrup into whites. Continue beating until medium-stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold 1/3 of meringue into lukewarm chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining meringue. Set chocolate meringue aside.
• Combine 1/4 cup cream and 5 teaspoons coffee powder in large bowl; stir to dissolve. Add 2 1/2 cups cream, powdered sugar and cinnamon and beat until firm peaks form. Fold 1 1/2 cups coffee whipped cream into chocolate meringue, forming mocha mousse.
• Spoon half of mocha mousse over bottom of crust. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons reserved crumb mixture over mousse. Spoon half of coffee whipped cream over crumbs. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons crumbs. Repeat layering with remaining mocha mousse, crumbs, coffee whipped cream and crumbs. Cover and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead; keep refrigerated.) Run knife around pan sides to loosen torte. Remove pan sides and serve.

MOCHA BANANA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray; dust with flour and tap out the excess.
• Combine the 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup espresso powder, the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the granulated sugar, oil, bananas, eggs and vanilla in another large bowl until smooth. Fold in the flour mixture, a third at a time, until just combined after each addition. Fold in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake until the bread starts to puff and is just set at the edges, about 40 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F, then continue to bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes more. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely, about 3 hours. Flip the bread out of the pan and place onto a serving platter.
• Just before serving, mix the confectioners' sugar with the remaining 2 tablespoons espresso powder and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl until smooth. Spread the glaze on top of the banana bread and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips.