Well, I did it again! I made more mini pies for HBinFive’s Chocolate Espresso Whole Wheat Bread. The Pocket Apple Pies that I made two weeks ago were such a big hit, I had a request to make more. And I never need to be asked more then once!
But the Chocolate Espresso Whole Wheat Bread was not as easy to work and I did have to fuss a bit more but the Pies were very good. I made the Pocket Pies with my 5″ Dough Press and again using about 2 TBL of Filling per pie.
For the Cherry Filling I used my home canned Brandied Cherries and boy was the cherry filling good. I canned the Brandied Cherries several years ago but they were pushed to the back of the pantry and I had totally forgotten about them! Well, I won’t be forgetting about them any time soon. And plan on making more Brandied Cherries as soon as they come into season. Sorry but I do not remember where I found the recipe for the Brandied Cherries but I’ve had it for some time now.
Brandied Cherries
Recipe adapted from “not a clue”
6 lbs dark, sweet cherries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/4 cups brandy
Wash and pit cherries. Combine sugar, water and lemon juice in a large sauce pot. Bring mixture to a simmer. Add cherries and simmer until hot throughout. Remove from heat; stir in brandy. Pack hot cherries into hot jars, leaving 1/2″ head space. Remove air bubbles. Adjust two-piece caps. Process 10 minutes in a Boiling Water Bath.
Cherry Filling
Recipe developed by Big Black Dog
1 Pt of Brandied Cherries, abt 2 cups including juice (You can also used canned, frozen or fresh cherries, cleaned and pitted)
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
2 TBL Sugar
Chop the cherries into 1/4″ pieces. Put Cherries including juice, cinnamon and sugar in a saute pan. Over low heat, simmer until all liquid has evaporated. Watch it closely because it can burn easily.
With the remaining dough I made mini loaves of bread. Aren’t they cute! I just cut the loaves into slices, garnished with fresh Kiwi Fruit and drizzled with Ganache.
Chocolate Ganache
Recipe adapted from my Mom
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch salt
Put the cream in the microwave and heat until just hot. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit until chocolate is melted. Stir until completely smooth and free of any unmelted chocolate. Add remaining ingredients. Allow to cool slightly before using.
All Rights Reserved 2008-10 © BigBlackDog
This looks absolutely amazing! Your pictures are stunning. I love the shot with the kiwi. Delish.
Those pocket pies with the little hearts are so cute!! I love how you decorated them. I haven’t made the chocolate dough yet, it looks really good. I better get on the ball:D
Oh, my Sicilian grandmother made brandied cherries every year!! They were POTENT! Great post-thank you
xoxo Pattie
Oh my YUM!!!!
mmm! i’m about to make my starter tonight, so this has me excited! (i’m such a procrastinator, hee!)
Hmmm yeah I had some definite issues with my dough as well. Not as simple as the other breads. Kind of dense. But still absolutely delicious.
These are a GENIUS idea. It all looks so delicious!
These recipes look so tasty! Love the use of the cherries!
Oh I tweeted this!
goodness gracious
(hope you never tire of this Muse’s greedy little tummy) LOL
I keep trying to bite through my screen, but it’s not working. I must have that bread recipe – which means I’d better put that book on my list.
Looks delicious, Michelle!
Your pocket pie sounds wonderful, I love cherry anything. The pictures are just beautiful!
If this tastes half as good as lit looks, it’s lethal.
That chocolate ganache is amazing! If it were possible to reach through this screen, my arm would be through there by now, and I’d be halfway behind it.
YUM-O, Michells!
XO,
Sheila
I just love those pocket pies.
Mimi
Oh yum! I love the chocolate pocket pie. Looks beautiful!
What a wonderful creation! I love the fact that you had some homemade canned cherries as well! Makes all the difference, I think!
Your bread is perfect and looks so yummy! You have a very nice blog!
Enjoy!
What a lovely creation. The green kiwis with the chocolate are a photographers dream shot. I’m making a note of the combination. Very creative.
Sam
oh my goodness, this sounds like heaven in a choc. cherry treat! Thank you!
MMMmmmmm! Those look GOOD!
Waw!!! Thes chocolate pocket pies with the brandied cherries look so lovely & amazing!!!
Very tasty, my dear!!!!
You just reminded me of one of my favorite spring time treats – chocolate drizzled kiwi… Thanks for making me forget about all this freaking snow – even if just for a tasty moment.
These sound and look incredible Michelle!
This was my favorite bread so far. It was fabulous! I wish I had made a full batch. I ate the mini loaf I was going to give away. LOL
Your pies are adorable. I love them with the little heart on them. Super cute and I know they were super tasty. I’m bookmarking this cherry recipe for cherry season. Stumbled!
Amazing that you have brandied cherries from years ago! I would have loved to have tasted them!
Love the little red hearts on the little pies, so cute. All this looks great…guys here love the combo of chocolate and cherry. Looks all very special and fun!
Those brandied cherries look amazing. I love the pretty jars too.
This is the perfect Valentine bread!
Everything looks delicious and the photos are fabulous! Yummy!
Well with ganache you can’t go wrong can you?
I’ll bet those cherries are delish and would be awesome on ice cream.
Hi Michelle, you asked me if you could use savoy cabbage in my soup instead of the pointed cabbage.
Yes, you can!!
I vary my cabbages in my soup to see which taste it gives to the soup. I think it would be a bit more bitter, but with the dried chili flakes in the soup, you won’t taste the difference I think!
As usual, mouth watering pictures and treats! I’m going to try make the brandied cherries. May I ask where you got your dough press?
As usual, mouth watering treats and what great photos. My dough is rising as we speak.
Hi Michelle,
These are just perfect for Valentine’s day. Love the pocket!
I’ve been catching up on all the baking you have been doing and I am so blown away at how gorgeous it all is. You have been as busy baking as I am! Lovely way to spend the chilly winter and you’ve had a snowy one!
Happy baking! Zoë
I love he use of the home canned brandied cherries! Great idea and thanks for posting the recipe!
My hubby and I are ooohing and ahhhing over your wonderful recipes for this dough!
they really look yummy! I found the dough more challenging than others….just cuz it was so sticky but it just made for more fun hahaha
Your photographs really are beautiful. I think photographing food is an art.
Thanks for your support!
Thanks for directing me to this recipe, Michelle. Can’t wait for the cherry season to arrive!
hi…i just love your blog! can you tell me where you got the canning jars that you used for your brandies cherries? i really like them and would love to buy some. thanks so much!
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