I
had an overabundance of cherries lying around this weekend but didn’t feel like
turning the oven on in this summer heat.
These chocolate cherry Napoleons are a great summer recipe and are so
decadent. Kirsch is traditionally the
liquor that would be used in a recipe like this but I got a tad carried away
with my friends last night and couldn’t bring myself to smell alcohol today,
but feel free to add a tablespoon to the cherry sauce. This recipe will make 6 – 3 layer napoleons
but you can also make 2 layer napoleons if you want (will yield 10 – 2 layer
napoleons).
Chocolate
Cherry Napoleons
Chocolate
Squares
10
oz dark chocolate
Cherry
Sauce
1
cup cherries, pitted and halved
1
tbsp cornstarch
2
tbsp water
¾
cup orange juice
2
tbsp sugar
Zest
of one small orange
1
tbsp kirsch (optional)
Chocolate
Whipped Cream
1
oz dark chocolate grated
1
cup whipping cream
1
tbsp sugar (optional)
Topping
6
cherries
1
oz white chocolate
Directions
To
make the chocolate squares, melt the 10 oz of dark chocolate in a bain maire or
in a low temperature microwave. Place a
sheet of parchment paper on a level surface and spread the chocolate out with a
palate knife to a 9” by 9” square. Try
to make the square as even as possible. Once
cooled but not completely hardened cut the chocolate into 3” by 3” squares (you
may wish to trim the edges so they are straight but you can just leave them
free form as well). Set aside in a cool
spot to harden.
In
a small saucepan combine the cherries, the orange juice orange zest and kirsch
if using. Bring to a boil and reduce heat
to a simmer. Simmer, stirring
occasionally for 5 minutes. In a small
bowl stir the cornstarch with the cold water.
Remove the cherries from the heat and slowly add the cornstarch slurry
stirring continuously. Allow to cool
completely.
To
make the whip cream grate 1 ounce of chocolate and set aside, being careful not
to handle it to much with warm hands.
Whip the cream on high until firm peaks form. Carefully fold in the grated chocolate.
Melt
your white chocolate in a bain marie or in a low temperate microwave. Dip the bottom half of 6 nice looking
cherries into the chocolate. Place on
parchment.
To
assemble the Napoleons place one square of chocolate on a plate. Add a dollop of whip cream, and repeat
topping with a final square of chocolate.
Place the white chocolate dipped cherries on top of the napoleon a
little off from center. Place a dollop
of whip cream on the side of the plate and spoon a little of the cherry mixture
around the plate.

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