What are your favorite adult desserts to make?

[foodfiend]

I've been doing a lot of baking recently, and eating a lot of it,too, unfortunately. I try to make desserts that are more grown-up -- either not too sweet, or with some combination of flavours (ex. chocolate and orange) What desserts do you make/like that are grown up?
I'll start by posting my latest favorite recipe. These are cream cheese brownies that are relatively low-fat. From Divine Indulgences.

CREAM CHEESE TOPPING
4oz. light cream cheese
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp low-fat milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

CAKE
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup low-fat sour cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 large egg white
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder

Making topping by beating together all topping ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth.

Make the cake by whisking together the sugar, sour cream, oil egg and egg white in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and combine until just mixed. Pour into a prepared 8 inch pan. Pour cream cheese topping onto the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in 350F oven.

NOTES: According to original recipe, the cream cheese mixture is a filling. You put half the cake batter in, pour in the filling then pour the rest of the better in. I prefer it swirled on top. As well, I use only 2oz of cream cheese. I find you don't need the extra cream cheese.

[claire797]

This is an almost flourless chocolate orange cake. Imagine eating a big piece of silky, light orange fudge.

Chocolate Orange Marquis

12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces (Hershey's Dark)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
5 eggs
2 tablespoons of orange zest
3 tablespoons flour

Preheat oven to 350F.

Grease a 9" cake pan (or springfrom pan) and line bottom with parchment.

Melt chocolate in microwave and set aside.

Place 1/2 c of sugar in a saucepan then add orange juice and stir over gentle heat until sugar has dissolved completely.

Remove from sugar mixture from heat and stir in melted chocolate. Add melted butter.

Whisk the eggs into the remaining sugar in a large bowl until very thick, add the orange zest.

Stir chocolate mixture into the egg mixture lightly and evenly. Sprinkle the flour over the top and fold in.

Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan then place the round pan in a roasting pan.

Pour hot water into the roasting pan to abut halfway up the sides of the cake pan.

Bake for about 1 hour or until the cake is firm to the touch.

Remove the cake from the water bath and place on a wire rack to cool for 10-15 minutes.

To turn out, invert the cake onto a baking sheet, place a serving plate upside down on top, then turn plate and baking sheet over together so the cake is transferred to the plate.
Dust with confectioners sugar and decorate with strips of pared orange zest

Note: If you use a springform pan, don't forget to wrap wrap it in foil so that water doesn't seep through.

[badunnin]

Flan - any flan.

[honeygirl1971]

Claire--That recipe looks soooooooooooooo good! :) I love chocolate and orange together. Ben and Jerry's used to make a mandarin chocolate flavor that was really good (available in the shops only); I was sad when they stopped making it. Do you think you could use chocolate chips in this recipe? 12 oz is one bag, that would be so easy.
:)

[claire797]

Originally posted by honeygirl1971
Claire--That recipe looks soooooooooooooo good! :) I love chocolate and orange together. Ben and Jerry's used to make a mandarin chocolate flavor that was really good (available in the shops only); I was sad when they stopped making it. Do you think you could use chocolate chips in this recipe? 12 oz is one bag, that would be so easy.
:)

If semi-sweet chocolate chips are what you have around the house, then go for it! I usually use a dark Hershey bar since the taste of this thing is predominately chocolate and I like the taste of Hershey dark. But taste and texture-wise, I am sure chocolate chips would be fine.

Also, if you REALLY like chocolate and orange, you could use a little extra orange zest.

Let me know if you make it. I have a picture of it somewhere on my computer, but basically, it's just a big, round, dense circle which you can garnish any way you'd like. It's very *adult*, but I don't think you'd have a hard time getting kids to eat it.

[mbrogier]

I love creme brulee--its my husband's favorite. He even bought the kitchen torch to make it more authentic.

Alton Brown's Molten chocolate cake is divine! I love it with vanilla bean ice cream--now that's grown up:D

Tiramisu, tiramisu, tiramisu:D I've made it with angel food cake to cut calories.

[wallycat]

BA's Egg Nog creme brulee....mmmmmmmmmmmm.

[honeygirl1971]

Originally posted by claire797


Let me know if you make it. I have a picture of it somewhere on my computer, but basically, it's just a big, round, dense circle which you can garnish any way you'd like. It's very *adult*, but I don't think you'd have a hard time getting kids to eat it.

I will definitely make it at some point this summer. Maybe next time I make a nice dinner for friends. I will definitely let you know how it turns out. "Water baths" scare me a little, but your instructions sound really straightforward and I think I could manage. ;)

[mbeth]

Honeygirl--about the water baths, Nigella has some calming words about this in her intro to Chocolate-Lime Cheesecake in Nigella Bites (and elsewhere too, I think). I made the it last summer and the water bath process really was easy and leak free (and the cheesecake was fantastic).

[semmens]

I made the Chocolate Marquis Cake yesterday; it was simple and fairly quick.

Both Dh and I loved it; I liked it better than the Kahlua Truffle Cake from last week because it was, believe it or not, a bit lighter. DH put whipped cream on his but I thought it was fine without anything; I didn't bother with the confectioners' sugar tho I guess it would be pretty that way.

A keeper, for sure. :D

Laura

[honeygirl1971]

mbeth--thanks for the tip, I will definitely check out what Nigella says!

Laura--with your rec and Anna's rec, I am definitely going to have to try this cake! I'm going to be visiting my parents next weekend, and maybe my mom and I can whip this up for Dad's b-day. He loves chocolate and orange together too (must be where I get it from). ;)

[jm1717]

Tiramisu! Yum.

[claire797]

Laura, I'm glad you liked it. It's such a simple dessert to make, yet it has a certain elegance about it. There are also so many interesting ways you can dress it up. For instance, this cake is the perfect canvas on which to lay a doily (sp?) and dust with powdered sugar. You could also do candied oranges, whipped cream, anything. Or just serve it plain. It has all the class of a fine restaurant dessert, but it's made with a few things you probably have lying around the kitchen.

[NancyR]

CL had a recipe a few years ago for Grand Marnais ice cream that is out of this world IMHO. I also am a big fan of the chocolate mocha pie (I think that is the name) that is one of the alltime CL faves. Let me know if you need either recipe posted.
Nancy
The Grand Marnais ice cream looks really snazzy served in stemmed glasses like martini glasses.

[LaurenP]

NancyR
I'd love to have the Grand Marnais Icecream recipe! TIA

[LaurenP]

Anna
I just made a flourless chocolate cake today, to have with a raspberry coulis, made from our blackraspberries, it was great. Now I'm looking forward to trying your Chocolate Orange Marquis cake.

[NancyR]

Glad to oblige........hope I can get this to work. Also, I spelled "Marnais" wrong, oops. I didn't think it looked right:rolleyes:

* Exported from MasterCook *

Grand Marnier Ice Cream

Recipe By :Cynthia Hoogendoorn, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Serving Size : 10 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : August ‘97 Desserts


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/4 cups egg substitute (at room temperature)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons grated orange rind
1/4 cup Grand Marnier (orange-flavored liqueur)
1 (8-ounce) container frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping -- thawed
Orange rind strips (optional)

Place egg substitute in a large bowl. Beat at high speed of a mixer for 2 minutes, and set aside.
Combine the sugar, water, and grated orange rind in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, and cook for 4 minutes. Immediately pour sugar mixture over egg substitute, and beat at high speed 2 minutes or until mixture cools. Fold in liqueur and whipped topping.
Spoon mixture into a 13 × 9-inch baking dish; cover and freeze until mixture is firm. Garnish ice cream with orange rind strips, if desired.

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Source:
"Cooking Light, August 1997, p.77"
Copyright:
"© Cooking Light"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 131 Calories (kcal); 3g Total Fat; (23% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 19g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 60mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates


Nutr. Assoc. : 3220 0 0 0 3544 0 2130706543

[LaurenP]

Thanks for the Grand Marnier Ice cream, I could't spell it either, for sure, but I knew what you ment!

[akairo]

I classify them as "adult" because after 1 your BA level is .03

Imagine, you are legally drunk after only three!
Here's the recipe.

BLACK RUSSIAN BROWNIES

4 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate
1 cup butter
3/4 tsp pepper
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup Kahlua
2 Tbsp Vodka
1 1/3 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts or sliced almonds, if desired
Quick Fudge Frosting (recipe follows)

Line bottom of 9 x 13" pan with cooking parchment. In saucepan, melt chocolate and butterwith pepper over low heat. Cool. In a bowl beat eggs, with sugar and vanilla until blended. Stir into cooled chocolate mixture. Stir in kahlua and vodka. Re-sift flour salt and baking powder into mixture and stir until just blended. Add nuts. Turn into pan. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes, or until a pick inserted into the center comes out clean. (be careful to not overbake.)Frost with Quick Fudge Frosting. Cut into squares or bars.

Quick Fudge Frosting

In microwave melt 2 oz unsweetened chocolate and 1 oz semi-sweet chocolate with 2 Tbsp butter on HIGH for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, just until chocolate turns shiny. Stir until melted. Heat 3 Tbls Kahlua and 2 Tbls whipping cream on HIGH for 45 seconds. Combine chocolate and Kahlua with 2 cups powdered sugar (free from lumps). Beat until well blened and thick. If necessary beat in a little extra powdered sugar for a good spreading consistency. Frost brownie immediately, as mixture stiffens upon cooling.

or there's always...

Kahlua Moccachino Cheesecake


Directions: Just follow these steps . . . . 1. Combine 1½ cups OREO Baking Crumbs with ¼ cup melted butter. Press on bottom and 1 in. up sides of a 9 in. springform pan. Pour ½ cup caramel sauce over crust. 2. Beat 3 pkgs (250 g each) softened* Regular or Light PHILADELPHIA cream Cheese and ¾ cup sugar until smooth. Add 3 eggs, one at a time and mix until just blended. 3. Stir in ¼ cup of Kahlúa. 4. Stir in 6 squares melted BAKER'S Semi-sweet Chocolate and pour into crust. 5. Bake at 350° F for 45-50 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely, then refrigerate 3 hr. or overnight. Garnish with Whipping Cream, drizzle with caramel sauce and grated chocolate. * To soften cream cheese place unwrapped packages in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds.

[honeygirl1971]

Yum! akairo, those kahlua brownies look awesome!! :)

[NancyR]

Sorry, I just re-read my first post and see that not did I not spell "Marnier" right but I also got the pie name wrong. I meant "Mocha Fudge Pie" and for anyone who hasn't tried it, here is the recipe. I always up the amount of Kahlua....;)

Mocha Fudge Pie


MEMBERS' RATING

13 users have rated this recipe.
Read Ratings


Rate this Recipe

Published: Cooking Light- 01/01/96

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup hot water
4 teaspoons instant coffee granules, divided
1/2 (20.5-ounce) box light fudge brownie mix (about 2 cups)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
2 large egg whites
Cooking spray
3/4 cup 1% low-fat milk
3 tablespoons Kahlua or other coffee-flavored liqueur, divided
1 (3.9-ounce) package chocolate-flavored instant pudding mix or 1 (1.4-ounce) package sugar-free chocolate-flavored instant pudding mix
3 cups frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed and divided
Chocolate curls (optional)


INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 325°F.

Combine hot water and 2 teaspoons coffee granules in a bowl; stir well. Add 2 cups brownie mix, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and egg whites; stir until well-blended. Pour mixture into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325°F for 22 minutes (brownie will be fudgy when tested with a wooden pick). Let cool completely on a wire rack.


Combine milk, 2 tablespoons Kahlua, 1 teaspoon coffee granules, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and pudding mix in a bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer 30 seconds. Gently fold in 1-1/2 cups whipped topping. Spoon pudding mixture into brownie crust; spread evenly.


Combine 1 tablespoon Kahlua and 1 teaspoon coffee granules in a bowl; stir well. Gently fold in 1-1/2 cups whipped topping. Spread whipped topping mixture evenly over pudding mixture. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired. Serve immediately or store loosely covered in refrigerator.

YIELD: Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 slice).

NOTENonalcoholic Mocha Version: When making the pudding

NUTRITIONAL INFO
calories: 297 carbohydrates: 51.6 g cholesterol: 1 fat: 6.5 g sodium: 399 mg protein: 4.9 g calcium: 50 mg iron: 1.4 mg fiber: 1.2 g

[Tiger]

I made the Chocolate Orange Marquis Cake that Clair posted. It's very good and very rich. It would satisfy any chocolate craving for sure. ;)
I used the Hershey's dark special choc. I used a Springform pan so I skipped the parchment paper step. It didn't look great until I spinkled it with confec. sugar and top with 2 fresh mint leaves. Then it was beautiful if I can say so myself. Especially for how easy it was to make. thanks for posting Clair.:)