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Chocolate Cherry Charlottes Recipe


By: Michael Pelikan
   
Recipe Categories: Chocolate Recipes   |   Member Recipes
Yield: Makes 6 servings.
You might wonder why we freeze the chocolate filling for these charlottes before baking them. The coldness prevents the chocolate from overcooking in the oven. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 3 1/2 hr
 
Ingredients
  2/3  cup dried sour cherries  
  1/4  cup kirsch  
  2  tablespoons sugar  
  2 to 3  drops almond extract  
  1/2  cup heavy cream  
  3-1/2  oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped  
  7  tablespoons unsalted butter, softened  
  1-1/2   fresh loaves challah or large brioche (about 1 1/2 lb total), sliced 1/2 inch thick  
  Accompaniment: lightly sweetened whipped cream  
  Special equipment: a 2-inch round cookie cutter; 6 (5- to 6-oz) charlotte molds or ramekins  
 
Instructions
 
  1. Bring cherries, kirsch, and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 15 minutes. Stir in almond extract.

 
  2. Heat cream, chocolate, and a pinch of salt in another small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon butter, stirring until incorporated, then stir in cooked cherries with any liquid.

 
  3. Transfer filling to a metal bowl and freeze, stirring occasionally, until firm but not frozen solid, about 2 1/2 hours.

 
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F.

 
  5. Cut out 12 rounds from bread slices with cookie cutter, then cut 42 (2- by 1 1/2-inch) rectangles from trimmings and remaining slices. Spread 1 side of each round and rectangle with some of remaining butter. Put 6 rounds, buttered sides down, in molds and line sides with rectangles (5 to 7 per mold), buttered sides against mold, arranging them vertically and slightly overlapping, pressing gently to adhere. Trim any overhang flush with rims.

 
  6. Divide filling among molds and top with 6 remaining bread rounds, buttered sides up, pressing gently to fit inside bread rim.

 
  7. Bake charlottes in molds on a baking sheet in middle of oven until bread is golden, about 25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes, then invert plates over charlottes and invert charlottes onto plates. Serve warm.

 
  Charlotte molds available at Broadway Panhandler (866-266-5927 or 212-966-3434).

 
   


 



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