molten-chocolate-pudding-cake

Need a dessert - quick? When you've got last minute guests arriving or you simply need to satisfy an impatient sweet tooth, fix one of these fast and easy dessert recipes. Featuring fruit and chocolate, you can even consider them a healthy indulgence - especially if the only other option is a candy bar!

Berries and Cream Cake
Serves 6

This quick dessert will please last minute dinner guests or you when you need instant gratification for a sweet tooth. Bonus: This dessert is a fun way to get your kids to eat more fruit.

Ingredients:
3 cups berries of your choice, fresh or frozen, thawed
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
6 thick slices of pound cake or angel food cake
6 tablespoons berry sauce or syrup
6 tablespoons finely chopped dark chocolate

Directions:
1. Place 2 cups berries and the sugar in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside to macerate while you prepare the rest of the dessert.

2. In a large chilled bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Arrange one slice of cake on each of 6 dessert plates. Lightly stir macerated berries into cream.

3. Divide berry cream mixture among the slices of cake, letting it spill off the sides. Garnish with extra berries, berry sauce or syrup, and chocolate bits.

Molten Chocolate Pudding Cake
Serves 6

This chocolate dessert features a rich chocolate cake begging to be bathed with the hot chocolate pudding bubbling underneath.

Ingredients:
1 cup self-rising flour
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
1 egg
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups boiling water
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and brush a 2-quart or 8 cup casserole dish with butter or oil. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder and sugar. Make a well in the center and set aside.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, egg, butter and vanilla. Pour milk mixture into the well of the flour mixture. Use a wooden spoon to stir until smooth and just until combined – do not over mix. Pour batter into prepared casserole dish.

3. Stir remaining cocoa powder into boiling water and pour gradually over the back of a spoon over the entire batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until top is set and springs back when touched. Remove from oven and dust with confectioners’ sugar. To serve, use a large spoon to scoop out pudding cake onto 6 dessert plates. Garnish with berries if desired.

Poached Fruit and Ice Cream
Serves 6

Visit your local whole foods store and you’ll find a healthy array of dried fruit, from dried apricots and plums to dried mango and cherries. Keep a colorful assortment on hand at home – dried fruit is a naturally sweet snack and you can quickly turn it into an impressive pretty dessert.

Ingredients:
10 ounces assorted dried fruit
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
Thin strips of orange zest

Directions:
1. Place fruit, butter, orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

2. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pan, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until fruit is tender. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Serve spooned over ice cream. Garnish with orange zest.

Quick desserts
By Michele Thompson, MS
source:
sheknows.com