Mint Chocolate Teacups

Name: Mint Chocolate Teacups
Prep time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 8 (5-ounce) bathroom size paper cups; 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped; 3 cups heavy cream; 12 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped; 6 tablespoons white or green creme de menthe liqueur; 1 candy cane, crushed(optional)

This dessert may take some time to make but it's guaranteed to impress your guests. The teacups are made with melted chocolate and filled with a fluffy chocolate-mint mousse.

Makes 8

Prep 30 m

Chill 150 m

Chill or overnight

Ingredients

Teacups:

8 (5-ounce) bathroom size paper cups
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Mint Mousse:

3 cups heavy cream
12 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons white or green creme de menthe liqueur

Garnish:

1 candy cane, crushed(optional)

Directions

Teacups:

1 of 4 Using scissors, on each cup cut 4 slits, evenly spaced, from top to bottom (see photo 1, below left). Tape slits closed with masking tape on outside of cups (photo 2).
2 of 4 Place chopped chocolate in medium-size microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high power for 1-1/2 minutes. Stir; microwave another 30 to 60 seconds or until almost melted. Stir to melt completely. Let stand about 1 minute or until temperature is about 115 degrees F on instant-read thermometer.
3 of 4 Place 2 heaping tablespoons melted chocolate in one cup. Swirl to coat inside of cup; use pastry brush to evenly coat (photo 3). Place cup, open side up, on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Working quickly, repeat with remaining 7 cups.
4 of 4 After 5 minutes, rebrush chocolate evenly in cups. Place on waxed paper, open side down. Refrigerate while continuing.

Handles and Stirrers:

1 of 1 Place remaining melted chocolate in small resealable plastic food-storage bag. Snip very small hole in one corner. On another waxed paper-lined baking sheet, pipe 8 handles in shape of letter D, about 1 inch high. For stirrers, on waxed paper, pipe 8 lines about 1-1/2 inches long and about 1/4 inch thick. (Make extra handles and stirrers to allow for breakage.) Refrigerate 15 minutes or until chocolate is firm. Reserve chocolate-filled plastic bag at room temperature.

Assemble Teacups:

1 of 2 Remove masking tape from cup. Carefully peel cup away from chocolate (photo 4). Gently pop bottom of chocolate cup from the paper cup. Repeat process.
2 of 2 Microwave reserved chocolate in plastic bag at 30 second intervals or until just melted. Pipe a 1-inch-long vertical line on side of cup. Using toothpick, gently lift a handle off waxed paper and place on melted chocolate to attach to cup. Repeat with remaining cups. Refrigerate 15 minutes until chocolate is firm, or up to a few days. (Reserve chocolate in plastic bag at room temperature for any repairs.)

Mint Mousse:

1 of 2 In small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup of the heavy cream until small bubbles appear around edge of pan. Place chopped chocolate in large bowl. Pour hot cream over; let stand 1 minute. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in liqueur. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes or until mixture registers 80 degrees F on instant-read thermometer.
2 of 2 In large bowl, beat remaining heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. With whisk, stir about one-quarter of whipped cream into chocolate mixture to lighten. Gently fold in remaining whipped cream. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

. To serve:

1 of 1 Spoon mousse into large pastry bag fitted with large star tip; pipe into cups. (Cups can be filled 3 hours ahead; refrigerate.) Garnish with stirrers, and candy, if desired. Makes 8 cups.

Nutrition Information for Mint Chocolate Teacups
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Per Serving: 131 mg chol., 80 mg sodium, 37 g sat. fat, 7 g pro., 810 kcal cal., 61 g Fat, total, 59 g carb., 6 g fiber