HOT CHOCOLATE BERRY CUPCAKES

This sweet was created in my restaurant years ago as a hot dessert to satisfy every chocoholic. it's my warm bit of chocolatey goodness I include in my St. Valentine's Day lineup. A little like a foolproof soufflé only easier to prepare and a hit every time! 

HOT CHOCOLATE BERRY CUPCAKES

makes 8-10 

chefgeorgehirsch.com |  George Hirsch Living it UP! Cookbook 

chefgeorgehirsch.com

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 

1 1/3 cups sugar 

1/3 cup cocoa powder 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 cup milk 

1 Tablespoon white vinegar 

1/3 cup vegetable oil 

1 egg 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 cup fresh raspberries 

For the Hot Cupcake filling: 

6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 

1 teaspoons grated orange peel 

2 Tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate, chopped 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

In a medium bowl combine the flour,1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and mix well. 

Combine milk with the vinegar in a separate bowl and allow to stand 5 minutes for the milk to sour. Add the oil, egg, and vanilla; mix well. 

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. Do not over beat. 

In a small bowl combine the cream cheese, remaining 1/3 cup sugar, orange peel and chopped chocolate and mix until well blended. 

Pour the batter evenly into four or six ounce buttered ceramic ramekins or cupcake tins. Divide raspberries among all ramkins, then place on top of batter. Divide the cream cheese mixture into 10 equal balls and drop one into the center of each batter. Bake for 7-8 minutes. Remove the ramekins, let stand for 2 minutes, and serve with ice cream on the side. 

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Chocolate Sauce, take a dip

This is one of those sauces that is a must in every chef's repertoire. It's a classic. In a matter of minutes, you can turn a simple sweet into chocolate decadence. So set aside the guilt and go ahead - dip, drizzle, and dunk your way through fresh strawberries, ice cream, and cake. 

Chef George's Chocolate Sauce

One study has shown that the smell of chocolate may actually relax you by increasing theta waves in the brain. Yes, we all have them.

Does chocolate contain any nutrients? Yes, it does, in small amounts. A 1.5-ounce milk chocolate bar contains recommended daily values of the following vitamins and minerals:

 • 3 grams of protein • 15% of the Daily Value of riboflavin • 9% of the Daily Value of calcium • 7% of the Daily Value of iron

When choosing chocolate, look for a shiny finish, which is a sign that the chocolate was heated at the right temperature for the right amount of time. Also, look for a crispy snap when chocolate is broken into pieces. Choose a good chocolate for a sauce like Lindt, Callebaut, or Scharffen Berger. In a pinch, chocolate chips will do. This very decadent sauce is ideally served with fresh strawberries. Note: this chocolate sauce recipe is not ideal for coating dipped strawberries. Chocolate Sauce Recipe Below

Dip or Drizzle Chocolate Sauce On Your Favorite Cookies

George's Chocolate Sauce

Recipe by Chef George Hirsch | George Hirsch Lifestyle TV Series

Makes about two cups

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

3 Tablespoons pure cane granulated sugar

3/4 cup cream

3 Tablespoons corn syrup

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Optional: 1 Tablespoon Brandy or Grand Marnier

Place chopped chocolate in a bowl and set aside. 

Place cream, sugar, and corn syrup in a small pot. Heat to a boil stirring constantly. As soon as it reaches a boil pour directly over chocolate and stir until all chocolate has melted. Add vanilla and brandy.

Use immediately or cool, cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks. To reheat, heat the amount you need over a double boiler and stir until just melted.

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Hampton Baking Co.

Tune-in GHL Create TV Marathon Cold Weather Comfort Sat Dec 2nd 7AM, 11AM/ 7PM, 11PM + Sun Dec 3rd 1PM + 5PM  

When I learned my craft, :) it was instilled by my chef mentors and my Nana - that only the finest ingredients should be used when baking.

Think tender and naturally sweet! I am proud to offer what I bake for my family, friends - NOW making it available to YOU TOO!.

And, in keeping with my decades of philanthropic work, every purchase will benefit a community cause near and dear to me that will benefit those needing a hand up.

I hope that when you are purchasing gifts this season you think of the Hampton Baking Co. LIMITED EDITION Holiday Biscotti Gift Box assortment as that a very special gift!

My Pastry Team & I thank you, and may you have a blessed holiday! 

Click for additional information

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warm Apple Pear Tartelette

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Making homemade desserts can be intimidating if you are not a trained pastry chef. Solution, my Apple Pear Tartelette. When the apples and pears are ripe it’s time to pick & prepare. This tart is also a great last minute “I’m entertaining tonight dessert.” And, once you’ve made this a couple times you’ll want to strut your pastry 101 skills and whip it up in front of your guests. Enjoy!

warm Apple Pear Tartlette from George Hirsch

George Hirsch’s Apple Pear Tartelette

Makes six servings

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle TV series 

1/4 cup unsalted sweet butter

1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons water + 2 Tablespoons white pure cane sugar

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 medium size Granny Smith apples; peeled, cored and sliced + 2 medium size gala or a sweeter apple; peeled, cored and sliced + 2 Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and sliced

¼ teaspoon cinnamon 

pinch ground nutmeg 

1 store bought frozen puff pastry shells, baked  

Preheat sauté pan to medium temperature. 

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a simmer. Reduce temperature and let simmer two minutes. Cool and mix with sliced apples.

Optional: 

Add 2 Tablespoons cranberries or toasted walnuts to apple filling.

In center of baked puff pastry, top with warm apple and pear filling. Serve with freshly whipped cream or ice cream.  

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the best Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Would you like a slice of old-fashioned-style cake that is equally as good for a morning coffee break, mid-day snack and even dessert? Then this is it. 

Sour Cream Coffee Cake | chefgeorgehirsch.com

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Makes a 9" Bundt Pan, about 10-12 slices

 chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

For the Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup light brown sugar

6 Tablespoons sweet butter, softened

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Place the butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl and crumble together with your fingers until it forms a crumb mixture. Add in the nuts. Reserve and mix cake batter.

For the Cake:

1/2 cup sweet butter, one stick softened 

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups All-Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup low fat plain yogurt

1/4 cup 2% milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon fresh grated orange rind

Grease and flour a tube, Bundt-style, or a regular-sized 9 1/2-inch baking pan.

Cream together the butter, sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Mix in eggs, vanilla and orange zest, one at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl again.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, yogurt and milk together. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately in three stages with the sour cream, yogurt, and milk mixture; stirring and scraping the bowl with spatula after each addition. Mix until just blended. Do not over mix.

Place half the batter in the pan, and sprinkle with half the topping mixture. With the back of butter knife swirl the batter slightly to mix the crumb mixture slightly into the bottom of cake batter. Add remaining batter, then the crumb topping.

Bake coffee cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cake tests done. Cool for 15-20 minutes, and then remove from pan by placing a large plate over top of cake and invert pan. Tap the sides of cake pan to free cake from pan. Plate serving platter over the bottom and invert again. The crumb topping should be on the side up to serve. Allow to cool at least 2 hours (if you can) before slicing!

Cover cake once fully cooled.

TIP: Wait for the cake to cool completely for a couple hours. Slicing this coffee cake prematurely will allow steam (or moisture) to escape, thereby making for a dryer cake when it cools. So please resist until it cools. This recipe also doubles for a test in patience! Enjoy!