Near Death By Chocolate.... Is That Even Possible?

Mr. Snoots was a total dear last night and prepared our entire dinner, which consisted of giant broiled lobster tails he bought at Sam's Club, and steamed Jerusalem Artichokes served with clarified butter and curried mayonnaise. He also made the dessert and it was totally fabuloso. It's called "Chocolate Bundles" and after consuming it and licking my plate, I thought I was going to experience Death By Chocolate for sure. Then, I got a serious buzz from all the chocolate and started cleaning house after Mr. Snoots went to bed. It lasted for several hours and was really something I've not experienced since the days of Dexedrine and Bennies. It was wild, to say the least. Happy Valentine's Day To Me! Actually, I was completely spent when all was said and done and then I slept until Noon Sunday. Gah!

So, just in case you'd like to experience a Death By Chocolate high, here's the recipe.

Chocolate Bundles:

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry

2 eggs

1 teaspoon heavy cream

8 chocolate kisses

4 miniature chocolate candy bars

***Ganache***

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 ounces milk chocolate, broken into small pieces

Sweetened whipped cream

Fresh strawberries, sliced, for garnish

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and unfold one pastry sheet. Cut pastry sheet in quarters (4 x 4 inch squares).

Beat eggs and cream together to create an egg wash. Brush pastry squares with egg wash.

Place 2 Hershey's Kisses and 1 mini candy bar in the center of each pastry square.

Pull the corners of the pastry square up around and over the chocolate, then brush with more egg wash, if necessary, to secure closure of bundles.

Brush exteriors of bundles with additional egg wash. Repeat with additional bundles.

Place bundles on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

For The Ganache:

Bring heavy cream to a boil. Place chocolate pieces in a bowl and pour in the hot cream, using a whisk until it's smooth.

Puddle ganache onto a plate and place bundle on top. Top with whipped cream and additional ganache if needed. Serve with fresh strawberries or raspberries.

NOTE: Mr. Snoots chose to use blueberries and it was not as as good as you'd think. Blueberries and chocolate just don't go together. Okay, fine. Not in my book. I ate it all other than the blueberries. That just did not jive with me. Give me raspberries any old day.

At any rate, I was up half the night worrying that I might die from Death By Chocolate. I should be so lucky... as long as it's with raspberries and not blueberries.