If you are trying to make a unique dessert for an event but cannot decide which flavor to choose, try mixing strawberry with chocolate. The fruitiness of strawberries with the rich chocolate will make the dessert more appealing. You can get the best of both in these creative desserts.
1. Strawberry Chocolate Lava Cake
A perfect date night dessert or a unique Romantic Birthday Cake for your Husband, this twist in the classic Choco Lava Cake, will solve everything.
Ingredients:
- 200 gm Cadbury Bournville dark chocolate
- 100 gm unsalted butter
- 3 large eggs
- 100 gm granulated sugar
- 5 ml vanilla extract
- 40 gm all-purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
- 100 gm strawberries
- Powdered sugar
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C. Grease your ramekins with butter.
- Melt your chocolate and butter together in a double boiler. Stir until they become one smooth, glossy union. You can also use a microwave in 30-second bursts, but it has the risk of burning.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy like a cloud.
- Slowly fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Taste a little to adjust the sweetness of the batter, but try not to eat all of it before it reaches the oven.
- Sift in the flour and add a pinch of salt. Mix just until combined. Don’t overdo it. Then chop up the strawberries and fold them in gently.
- Pour the batter into the prepared ramekins. Bake at 200°C for 10-12 minutes until the tops are set but the insides are still molten and gooey. The goal is a chocolate explosion in your mouth, after all.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
2. Chocolate Strawberry Truffle Tart
If you love a Truffle Cake, you’ll love this tart too. A showstopper at any dinner party, this tart is so elegant it should come with a top hat.
Ingredients:
- 200 gm digestive biscuits
- 100 gm melted butter
- 250 gm Cadbury Bournville dark chocolate
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 50 ml milk
- 30 gm sugar
- 300 gm fresh strawberries
- A sprinkle of sea salt/ powdered sugar
Method:
- Crush the biscuits into fine crumbs using a food processor, or if you’re feeling old-school, a rolling pin.
- Mix the biscuit crumbs with the melted butter and press this mixture into a tart tin (preferably a 9-inch one). Pop this into the fridge to chill for 20-30 minutes. In the meantime, you can prepare the filling of the tart.
- Heat the cream, milk, and sugar in a saucepan until it starts to simmer. Then, remove it from the heat. Break up the chocolate and add it to the hot cream mixture. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and shiny.
- Pour the chocolate ganache into the chilled biscuit base. Tap the tin lightly on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
- Arrange the strawberries on top. You can either go for the neat-rows look or just throw them on there casually. Either way, it'll taste incredible.
- Let the tart chill in the fridge for at least two hours. Sprinkle some sea salt before serving, if you want to impress your guests with that "sweet meets savory" sophistication. If you have a severe case of sweet tooth, you can also dust some powdered sugar before serving.
3. Strawberry Chocolate Mousse
This dessert is the definition of fluffy, light, and just sweet enough to satisfy. If you want to channel your inner Parisian patisserie chef, this is the one for you. Why just settle for the simple (but always a favorite) Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Ingredients:
- 200 gm dark chocolate
- 300 ml heavy cream
- 100 gm fresh strawberries
- 50 gm sugar
- 5 ml vanilla extract
- A few sprigs of mint
Method:
- Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Stir until smooth and glossy, then let it cool slightly.
- In another bowl, whip the cream with the sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. You want it to hold its shape but still be soft enough to fold into the chocolate.
- Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the melted chocolate to lighten it. Once combined, fold in the remaining whipped cream. Don’t rush this step. Try to stir it slow and steady to keep the mousse airy.
- In serving glasses or bowls, layer the mousse with fresh strawberries, or simply place the strawberries on top. Add a sprig of mint for garnish.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the mousse set and the flavors meld together.