Ingredients
Shells
-
2 1/2
pounds imported bittersweet chocolate or imported white chocolate or 1
1/4 pounds of each chocolate; chopped
-
3 large
plastic egg mold sets (total of six 4 1/4 x 3 inch; 1/2 cup egg halves)
-
2 small
plastic egg mold sets (total of eight 3 x 2 1/2 inch 1/4 cup egg halves)
Caramel
Filling
-
3 cups
sugar
-
3/4
cup water
-
1/2
cup whipping cream
-
1/2
cup unsalted butter
-
1/3
cup sour cream
Chocolate
Filling
-
3/4
cup whipping cream
-
6 tablespoons
unsalted butter; cut into pieces
-
1 pound
imported bittersweet chocolate; chopped
-
6 tablespoons
sour cream
Assembly
and Decorating
-
reserved
chocolate in double boiler
-
8 yards
colorfast silk ribbons
Method
Egg
Shells
Line
cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
Melt
chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently
until smooth and candy thermometer registers 115°F for bittersweet
and 105°F for white chocolate.
(If
making both bittersweet chocolate and white chocolate eggs, melt chocolates
separately in two double boilers.)
Remove
chocolate from over water.
Spoon
chocolate into 1 set of large egg molds, filling molds completely
(do
not fill decorative base section of mold).
Turn
mold over above prepared cookie sheet, allowing excess chocolate
to
spill out.
Shake
mold to produce uniformly thick shell.
Turn
mold right side up.
Run
fingertip gently around edge of eggs to remove excess chocolate.
Refrigerate.
Tilt
foil lined sheet with melted chocolate over top of double boiler, scraping
chocolate
into double boiler.
Reheat
to 115°F for bittersweet and 105°F for white chocolate, stirring
frequently.
Repeat
coating process with remaining 2 large egg mold sets and 2 small egg mold
sets, removing chocolate from over water while working and reheating chocolate
after each set of egg molds is coated.
Refrigerate
molds.
(If
using white chocolate, the molds will need a double coating.
Refrigerate
molds after first coating is cold.
Refill
with barely lukewarm chocolate, shake out excess and wipe edges clean,
creating double thick shell.)
Return
remaining chocolate on foil to top of double boiler and set aside.
Refrigerate
molds while making caramel filling.
Caramel
filling:
Stir
sugar and water in heavy large saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves.
Increase
heat and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, washing
down
sides of pan with pastry brush dipped into water and swirling pan
occasionally,
Remove from heat.
Add
whipping cream and butter (mixture will bubble vigorously) and whisk until
smooth.
Whisk
in sour cream.
Let
caramel filling stand just until barely cool (mixture will be sticky),
stirring occasionally, about 50 minutes.
Spoon
2 scant tablespoons caramel into each small egg half.
Spoon
1/4 cup caramel into each large egg half.
Refrigerate
while making chocolate filling.
Chocolate
filling:
Bring
whipping cream and butter to simmer in heavy medium saucepan, stirring
until butter melts.
Add
chocolate and whisk until smooth and melted.
Remove
chocolate filling from heat.
Whisk
in sour cream.
Let
stand until cool but still pourable, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Spoon
filling over caramel in all egg halves, filling to 1/16 inch below top
edge.
Chill
until set, about 40 minutes.
To
assemble:
Rewarm
reserved melted chocolate in top of double boiler to 115°F for
bittersweet
and 105°F for white chocolate.
Remove
chocolate from over water.
Working
quickly, spread enough melted chocolate (use bittersweet for dark eggs
and white chocolate for white eggs) atop 1 set of filled eggs just to cover.
Use icing spatula to scrape excess chocolate from eggs and clean sides.
Place
mold in refrigerator.
Repeat
with remaining egg molds.
Refrigerate
all molds until chocolate is firm, about 1 hour.
Line
cookie sheets with aluminum foil.
Remove
1 egg mold from refrigerator.
Turn
mold over onto foil.
Gently
bend and twist mold side to side several times to release halves of chocolate
eggs.
Repeat
unmolding process with remaining eggs.
Rewarm
remaining melted chocolate in top of double boiler until warm to touch.
Turn
bottom half of 1 egg over so flat sides face up.
Spread
small amount of melted chocolate over flat side of egg, leaving 1/4-inch
border.
Working
quickly, cover bottom half of egg with corresponding top half of egg and
press together gently.
Refrigerate
whole egg.
Repeat
with remaining egg halves and melted chocolate.
(Can
be prepared 2 weeks ahead. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.)
To
decorate:
Wrap
ribbons around seam of each egg and tie bow at top.
Refrigerate
until ready to eat. Serve eggs chilled.
Makes
3 large eggs and 4 small eggs
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