For most, there are certain foods that naturally go-together…bacon & eggs, strawberries & champagne, burgers & fries. But, for me, it gets a bit more dark…as in DARK chocolate and rich DARK espresso.  I absolutely love the stuff!  Dark chocolate & a glass bottle of Cabernet…espresso & dark chocolate dipped biscotti…dark chocolate & a rich stout..dark chocolate rimmed cup of espresso…oohhhh…the list could go on and on.

As I bake, I have to constantly force myself out of my dark chocolate, coffee, and caramel mode.  For whatever reason, every new idea ALWAYS has dark chocolate, coffee,and caramel. I love that combination. No, I’m obsessed with that combination of sweet chocolate, salty caramel, and nutty, smokey coffee. Ahhhh…it’s absolutely heavenly.

When I was asked to create a special dessert for a Valentine’s dinner at a local brewery, I knew exactly which direction to take…dark chocolate and coffee…and to make it even more decadent, I knew we had to add strawberries.  I mean, seriously!?!?! It’s Valentine’s Day.  It’s date night. This dessert had to be luxurious, decadent, romantic, addictive.

The result was even better than I imagined and our guests… Well, let’s just say there were some very happy couples.  The half-closed eyes, the slow savoring swallows, the muffled moans of approval. Yes, we had a hit! (Which is why I took this same dessert to MasterChef auditions in April)

Dark Chocolate Espresso Torte with Strawberry Coulis

Torte Ingredients

1/3 c. water

1/2 c. sugar

1 stick butter, cubed

1-12 oz bag bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli)

1 tsp instant coffee/espresso powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 c. cold strong coffee

1 tsp almond extract

6 large eggs

Ganache Ingredients

1/2 c. heavy cream

3/4 c. bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli)

Strawberry Coulis

1 1/2 c. frozen strawberries

1 TBSP lime or lemon juice (I use key lime)

1/2 c. sugar

1 TBSP tapioca or cornstarch (just to thicken it)

Bring water and sugar to a boil over high heat.  Remove from heat.  Add butter, chocolate chips, instant coffee, and salt. Let sit for 2 minutes.  Stir until smooth.  Whisk in cold coffee and almond extract.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs until completely combined.   Whisk in chocolate mixture.  Pour batter into a 9 x 2″ round cake pan that has its bottom lined with parchment and totally sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Place cake pan in a large roasting pan.  Fill the roasting pan half way with warm water.  Bake torte in the roasting pan at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until solid and slightly puffed.  Remove pan from water and allow to cool for an hour.

Remove torte from pan. Invert onto cake plate and remove parchment paper.  Cool completely before serving.

Before serving, make ganache. Heat cream in microwave until boiling–1-2 minutes. Add chocolate chips and let sit for 2 minutes to melt. Stir until smooth.  Spread ganache over top of torte and let it drip down the sides.  Top with sliced almond.

In a small sauce pan, combine strawberries, lime juice, sugar, and tapioca.  Cook over medium heat stirring frequently to prevent burning until thick.  Pour into a blender or food processor.  Pulse until smooth.  Pour into a squeeze bottle and chill.

To serve, squeeze strawberry coulis on plate, place torte slice on top, and a strawberry for garnish.

Check out these other coffee recipes to complete your own coffee themed meal!

Shelby Law Ruttan

Beverages

• Bulletproof Coffee My Way by Monica’s Table
• Caramel Turtle Mocha Frappe by The Weekend Gourmet
• Chocolate Chip Mocha Smoothie by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Latte by Meal Planning Magic

Breakfast

• Apple Crumb Coffee Cake by Dessert Geek
• Banana Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake by The Freshman Cook
• Cappuccino Overnight Oats by Pies and Plots
• Cardamom-Crumb Coffee Cake by Wholistic Woman
• Cinnamon Coffee Cake (Kaffee Kuchen) by Palatable Pastime
• Coconut & Coffee Gluten Free Scones by Caroline’s Cooking
• Coffee and Cream Cinnamon Buns by Cooking With Carlee
• Maple-Coffee Breakfast Sausage by Cricket’s Confections
• Pumpkin Coffee Cake by The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Pumpkin Spice Latte Breakfast Bites by Beauty and the Beets
• Whole Wheat Pecan Crumb Cake by Family Around The Table

Dessert

• Best Coffee Frosting by My World Simplified
• Bittersweet Cremeux with Coffee Caramel and Bourbon Cream by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Chocolate Chip Mocha Brownies by Crazed Mom
• Chocolate Coffee Nut Bark by My Imperfect Kitchen
• Coffee Toffee Crunch Cookies by Family Foodie
• Coffee Vanilla Ice Cream Pie by Moore or Less Cooking
• Cold Brew Affogato by Helpful Homemade
• Dark Chocolate Espresso Torte with Strawberry Coulis by Gourmet Everyday
• Eiskaffee (German Coffee with Ice Cream) by Tara’s Multicultural Table
• Espresso Brownie Cupcake Sundaes by A Mind Full Mom
• Mocha Cake with Mocha Rum Icing by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Mocha Layer Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Mocha Panna Cotta with Mascarpone Cream by The Crumby Cupcake
• NCR Cookies by Girl Abroad
• No Bake Mocha Cheesecake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Polish Black Cake with Whipped Mocha frosting by Hardly A Goddess
• Sweet Cream Affogato by The Redhead Baker

Main

• Coffee and Garlic Rubbed Pork Chops by Casa de Crews
• Java Dry Spice Rub Chops by Sunday Supper Movement
• Salmon-Mandarin Salad with Asian Vinaigrette & Coffee Dressing by Asian In America
• Sticky Coffee Chicken by Food Lust People Love

Sides

• Dark Molasses Bread by What Smells So Good?
• Homemade Coffee Baked Beans by Grumpy’s Honeybunch

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