Chocolate Party

I went to a delicious chocolate party tonight. There were tortes, fudge, cookies, bars, pies, cakes, hot cocoa, chocolate balls, and even chocolate facial recipes with samples. I brought one of my favorites: Valentine berries and cream--featured below.

I found the original recipe years ago in a Taste of Homes. This is what it usually looks like. I made a few modifications by making it bite-sized:

Here's my hubby's creation from the leftover chocolate, chocolate cream, whipped cream, and strawberries:

I had fun, but quickly reached my chocolate limit. Here's the recipe:

Valentine Berries and Cream

8 sq. (1 oz each) semisweet chocolate

1 Tb Shortening

6 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1/3 cup baking cocoa

2 Tb. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups whipping cream, whipped and divided

1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries

Line a 9 in. heart or square shaped baking pan with foil; set aside. In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Pour into prepared pan, swirling to coat the bottom and 1 1/2 in. up the sides. Refrigerate for 1 minute, then swirl the chocolate to reinforce sides of heart or box. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. Using foil, lift from pan; remove foil and place chocolate heart on a serving plate. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Combine confectioner's sugar and cocoa; add to creamed mixture with milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Gently fold two-thirds of the whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Spoon into heart. Insert star tip #32 into pastry or plastic bag; fill with remaining whipped cream. Pipe around the edge of heart. Garnish with strawberries.

Yield: 8-10 servings