Easter has most definitely come around quickly, but who’s complaining? Definitely not us, as it’s an excuse to indulge in one of life’s greatest pleasures – chocolate, of course!
It wouldn’t be a chocolate-y easter without the Queen of Chocolate herself, Kirsten Tibballs, who has yet again put together something seriously delicious for you to create at home. Kirsten has created an Easter treat that is sure to blow your loved ones socks off and get the kiddies excited – Chocolate Truffle Carrots.
The Chocolate Carrots looks so real, you’d mistake them for actual carrots. Filled will delicious couverture chocolate and fluffy light sponge – they sound difficult, but are actually so easy to make.
Chocolate Truffle Carrots by Kirsten Tibballs
275 g chocolate cake
15 g Callebaut cocoa powder
20 g raspberry jam
190 g condensed milk
90 g desiccated coconut (plus a little extra for rolling the balls in)
- Place the cake in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix to break it up.
- Add in the cocoa powder, raspberry jam, condensed milk and desiccated coconut and mix until it just comes together.
- Remove from the mixer and roll the mixture into individual carrot shapes.
- Cool in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. Insert a skewer in the centre of each carrot to make it easier to dip.
Microwave Sponge
80 g egg yolks
120 g egg whites
QS green oil based colour
80 g caster sugar
55 g plain flour
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the egg yolks, egg whites, green colour and caster sugar for approximately 20 minutes to make the mixture as light as possible.
- Sieve the flour and gently fold it into the egg mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a piping bag.
- Gently pierce 4 holes in the bottom of a paper cup and pour the sponge mixture in, filling it three quarters of the way.
- Microwave each cup for 30-40 seconds at a time. Cool at room temperature.
Finishing
400 g Callebaut white chocolate
QS orange oil based colour
40 ml grapeseed oil
- Prepare a tray with a sheet of baking paper.
- Melt the white chocolate and temper it if it contains cocoa butter. To temper the chocolate, place it in a plastic bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until you have 50% liquid and 50% pieces of chocolate. Stir it vigorously without additional heat until all the chocolate has melted. If you have some resistant buttons you can gently heat the chocolate with a hair dryer while stirring.
- Sieve in the oil based colour until a bright orange colour is achieved and mix well. Add in the grapeseed oil and combine.
- Using the skewer, dip each carrot into the orange chocolate. Wipe the base of each carrot on the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate and place onto the lined tray.
- Place a small piece of the microwave sponge on top of each carrot before the chocolate sets.
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If you missed heading to Kirsten Tibballs prestigious Savour Chocolate and Patisserie School last Saturday, you can always jump on the website and book the class you’ve long dreamt about! Both hands-on and online classes are available.
The Savour School Open Day was a fantastic opportunity to experience free chocolate and patisserie demonstrations by one of the world’s greatest pastry chefs – Australia’s Queen of Chocolate Kirsten Tibballs, and creator of Best Chocolates in the World Paul Kennedy.
Kirsten personally welcomed visitors into her school, whilst sharing the fabulous classes on offer – which have played host to some of the finest pastry chefs around the country and world. Budding chocolatiers and bakers were given the opportunity to explore the schools state-of-the-art kitchen facilities and of course, feast on delicious sweet treats such as tarts, chocolates and verrines (better known as mousse cups).
Savour Chocolate and Patisserie School – 22 Wilson Avenue, Brunswick 3056
Connie Lambeth
The Australia Times News
Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events
connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au
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