Decadent Chocolate Heart with Berries and Cream
Indulge your loved ones with this enchanting Decadent Chocolate Heart filled with a delightful blend of creamy, rich flavors and vibrant, fresh strawberries. This stunning dessert is perfect for Valentine's Day or any special occasion. The melt-in-your-mouth semi-sweet chocolate shell encases a luscious cream cheese filling, enhanced with whipped cream for that perfect light texture. Topped with juicy strawberries, this dessert is not just a feast for the eyes, but also a mouth-watering treat that captures the essence of romance and celebration. Get ready to wow your guests and create unforgettable memories with this exquisite dessert!
N/A
Servings
225
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
8 ounces (Melted)
Shortening
1 tablespoon (Melted with chocolate)
Cream cheese
2 (3-ounce) packages (Softened)
Butter
1/4 cup (Softened)
Confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups (Sifted)
Baking cocoa
1/3 cup (Sifted)
Milk
2 tablespoons (None)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
Heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups (Whipped, divided)
Fresh strawberries
1 1/2 cups (Halved)
Red food coloring
1 drop (Optional)
Instructions
1
Line a 9-inch heart-shaped or square baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing excess to hang over the edges for easy removal. Set aside.
2
In a large heavy saucepan over low heat, melt the semi-sweet chocolate and shortening together. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and completely combined.
3
Carefully pour the melted chocolate into the prepared baking pan, swirling it to evenly coat the bottom and extend about 1.5 inches up the sides of the pan.
4
Refrigerate for about 1 minute, then use a spatula to gently swirl the chocolate again to reinforce the sides. Place the pan back into the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has fully set and become firm.
5
Once the chocolate has hardened, use the excess foil to lift the heart from the pan. Carefully remove the foil and place the chocolate heart on a serving plate.
6
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
7
In a separate bowl, sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture, incorporating the milk and vanilla extract; continue beating until fully blended and smooth. If desired, add a drop of red food coloring for a lovely pink hue.
8
Gently fold in two-thirds of the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined.
9
Spoon the cream cheese filling into the chocolate heart carefully, spreading it evenly.
10
Insert a star tip (#32) into a pastry or plastic bag and fill it with the remaining whipped cream. Pipe the whipped cream around the edge of the heart for an elegant, decorative touch.
11
To finish, garnish the top of the heart with the halved fresh strawberries, arranging them artistically for added visual appeal.
Nutrition Information
17.5g
Fat
12.5g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Decadent Chocolate Heart with Berries and Cream?
It is an enchanting dessert featuring a semi-sweet chocolate shell filled with a rich cream cheese and whipped cream mixture, topped with fresh strawberries.
What type of chocolate is used for the shell?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate baking squares.
Why is shortening added to the chocolate?
Shortening is melted with the chocolate to create a smooth mixture that is easier to swirl and set.
What size baking pan is required?
You should use a 9-inch heart-shaped or square baking pan.
How do I ensure the chocolate heart is easy to remove?
Line the pan with aluminum foil, leaving an excess hanging over the edges to use as handles for lifting.
How long does the chocolate shell need to refrigerate?
It should be refrigerated for approximately 30 minutes or until it is fully set and firm.
How high should the chocolate go up the sides of the pan?
The chocolate should extend about 1.5 inches up the sides of the pan.
What ingredients are in the cream cheese filling?
The filling consists of softened cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, baking cocoa, milk, vanilla extract, and whipped heavy cream.
How do I make the filling pink?
You can add one drop of red food coloring to the cream cheese mixture if a pink hue is desired.
How much heavy whipping cream is needed?
The recipe requires 2.5 cups of heavy whipping cream, which is then whipped and divided.
How much of the whipped cream goes into the filling?
Two-thirds of the whipped heavy cream is folded into the cream cheese mixture.
What is the remaining whipped cream used for?
The remaining whipped cream is piped around the edge of the heart for decoration.
Which pastry tip is recommended for decoration?
A star tip (#32) is recommended for piping the whipped cream border.
How are the fresh strawberries prepared?
The strawberries should be halved before being used as a garnish.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 225 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 17.5 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dessert?
Each serving contains 12.5 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 2.5 grams of protein per serving.
Is the cream cheese used cold?
No, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
Should the dry ingredients be sifted?
Yes, the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder should be sifted together before being added to the filling.
Can I use a square pan if I do not have a heart-shaped one?
Yes, a 9-inch square baking pan can be used as an alternative.
How should the chocolate be melted?
Melt the chocolate and shortening in a large heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe uses 11 ingredients in total.
Is there any vanilla in this recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of vanilla extract is used in the cream cheese filling.
How do I reinforce the sides of the chocolate shell?
After refrigerating for one minute, use a spatula to gently swirl the chocolate again to reinforce the sides before the final chill.
Is this dessert suitable for Valentine's Day?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for Valentine's Day or any romantic occasion.
What type of cocoa is required?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of sifted baking cocoa.
How much butter is used in the filling?
The filling requires 1/4 cup of softened butter.
How should the strawberries be arranged?
The halved strawberries should be arranged artistically on top of the heart for visual appeal.
What is the first step in assembling the filling?
The first step is beating together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.