White Chocolate Roasted Pecans Candied Orange Peel Cake Recipes

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE FRUITCAKE WITH PECANS

Steps:

• For cake:
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Generously butter and flour 12-cup angel food cake pan. Combine toasted pecans, chopped dried figs, prunes, dates, orange juice concentrate, Grand Marnier and grated orange peel in large bowl. Let stand 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Sift flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt into medium bowl. Combine brown sugar and 6 ounces chocolate in processor and chop into small pieces.
• Using electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese in large bowl to blend. Add chocolate mixture and beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in prune butter. Stir in 1/4 of dry ingredients. Mix in fruit mixture and remaining dry ingredients in 3 additions each.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted near center with a few moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour 55 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Turn pan over onto rack; let stand 5 minutes. Lift off pan; cool cake completely. Wrap cake in plastic and store at room temperature 2 days.
• For Glaze:
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate; stir until melted and smooth. Whisk in orange juice concentrate.
• Place cake on rack. Spread some of chocolate glaze thickly over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Spread remaining chocolate glaze over cake, covering completely. Sprinkle with chopped candied fruit peel, if desired. Refrigerate cake 30 minutes to set glaze. (Fruitcake can be prepared 3 weeks ahead. Wrap cake in plastic and refrigerate.)

WHITE CHOCOLATE PECAN SHEETS

Steps:

• Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. In a double boiler melt the chocolate with the butter and oil over hot (not simmering) water, stirring constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Remove the top part of the double boiler and stir the nuts into the melted chocolate . Pour the chocolate mixture out onto the prepared cookie sheet. Spread randomly to the desired thickness. Refrigerate 20-30 minutes, or until set.
• Slide a metal spatula under the chocolate to loosen from the foil. Break into uneven pieces . Store in an airtight container or in the refrigerator. Prep time includes refrigeration time.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CANDIED ORANGE PEEL

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, score orange peel into four wedge-shaped sections. Loosen peel with a spoon and remove; save fruit for another use. , Place peel in a heavy saucepan and cover with cold water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain. Repeat process twice, draining well each time. Cool for 5 minutes. Carefully scrape off excess pulp from peel. Cut the peel into 1/4-in. strips. , In another saucepan, combine sugar, water, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat until clear. Add orange peel strips; boil gently until until all syrup is absorbed and peel is transparent, about 30-35 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer strips to wire racks for at least 3 hours or until dry. , Melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip each strip halfway into chocolate. Cool on wire racks coated with cooking spray.