Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE I

Category: Tortes

Crust
1 1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (about 25 wafers)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling
4 oz bittersweet chocolate baking squares
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp milk chocolate chips
4 oz white chocolate baking squares
1 tbsp unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup water
5 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup half-and-half cream, warmed
1 3/4 cups heavy or whipping cream

Semisweet chocolate chips, melted, for garnish

Heat oven to 375. Grease a 9 inch springform pan; set aside. Make crust: Combine crust ingredients in a medium bowl; press into bottom of prepared pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool.

Make filling: Place each flavor of chocolate in separate bowls; set aside. In another bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand 1 minute or until softened. Beat egg yolks in a small mixing bowl on high speed, until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually whisk in half-and-half. Transfer to a saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture registers 160 degrees on a candy thermometer and has thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved. Immediately pour one third of the egg mixture over each flavor of chocolate; quickly stir each until melted. Cool 10 minutes.

Beat heavy cream in a mixing bowl on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold one third of the whipped cream into each bowl. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Repeat with milk chocolate mixture, then white chocolate mixture.

To serve: Carefully run a sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove sides of pan. Garnish by drizzling with melted chocolate to create pine boughs and top with Chocolate Almond Pinecones, if desired. NOTE: Torte can be prepared 2 days in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.