Witch’s Hats (Cappelli delle Streghe)
Category: Desserts | Serves: 6
These whimsical Witch’s Hats are a delightful treat, combining rich dark chocolate, smooth ganache, and a perfect crunch of cacao-infused shortbread. Whether you’re preparing for Halloween or just want to enjoy a fun and indulgent dessert, these Witch’s Hats are sure to captivate. The following recipe guides you through the process of making these enchanting sweets from scratch.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsweetened Cocoa Powder | 15g |
| All-Purpose Flour (00) | 150g |
| Butter (cold, cubed) | 75g |
| Egg Yolks | 2 |
| Powdered Sugar | 65g |
| Heavy Cream | 200ml |
| Butter (for ganache) | 20g |
| Dark Chocolate (for ganache) | 250g |
| Dark Chocolate (for coating) | 500g |
| Licorice Wheels | 4 |
| Licorice Candies (filled) | 3 |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Shortbread Dough:
Start by sifting the flour and cocoa powder together. Add the powdered sugar into the mix and then add the cold, cubed butter. Place everything in a food processor and blend until the mixture becomes crumbly and sandy in texture. -
Form the Dough:
Transfer the mixture onto a clean work surface, and create a well in the center. Add the egg yolks into the well and begin mixing everything by hand. Knead the dough energetically until it comes together, ensuring it’s smooth and well-incorporated. -
Make the Ganache:
In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream on low heat and add 20g of butter. Once it’s hot, remove from the heat and add the finely chopped dark chocolate (250g). Stir until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth. To speed up the cooling process, place the saucepan into a bowl of ice water and stir until the ganache cools down to room temperature. -
Whisk the Ganache:
Using an electric mixer, whisk the ganache on high until it becomes firm, similar to the consistency of a mousse. It should hold its shape when you lift the beaters. Once done, cover and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to let it firm up further. -
Roll and Cut the Dough:
Roll out the cacao shortbread dough with a rolling pin until it’s about ½ cm thick. Use a round cutter to cut out circles, placing them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. -
Assemble the Witch’s Hats:
Once the ganache has chilled and thickened, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle. Take one of the smaller shortbread discs and pipe the ganache on top, creating a cone shape on each cookie. Ensure the ganache sticks well to the biscuit and extends to form a peak. -
Chill the Biscuits:
Refrigerate the decorated shortbread biscuits for at least an hour. This ensures that the ganache solidifies and holds its shape properly. -
Coat the Biscuits:
Meanwhile, melt the remaining 500g of dark chocolate over a double boiler. Once melted, dip the larger shortbread discs into the chocolate, ensuring they are completely coated. Let the excess chocolate drip off before placing the coated cookies on a cooling rack. -
Finish the Hat Decoration:
As soon as the larger chocolate-coated biscuits are ready, place the smaller ganache-covered biscuits on top of them. The warmth of the dark chocolate will help to “glue” them together as it cools. -
Final Touch – Licorice Decoration:
Cut six strips of licorice from the licorice wheels, each about 3-4 cm long. Also, cut out six small rounds from the filled licorice candies. Use the licorice strips to wrap around the top of the ganache cone, resembling the tip of a witch’s hat, and place the licorice rounds at the center as the finishing touch. -
Let Set and Serve:
Allow the Witch’s Hats to cool and set completely in the refrigerator. Once fully chilled and firm, they’re ready to be served. Enjoy these magical treats with friends and family!
Tips:
- Chilling Time: The key to achieving the perfect texture for both the shortbread and ganache is allowing sufficient chilling time. Don’t skip the refrigeration steps!
- Variations: For added texture, you can sprinkle some finely chopped nuts or a touch of sea salt over the chocolate-coated hats for contrast.
- Licorice Substitutes: If you’re not a fan of licorice, you can use other decorative candy pieces like caramel or gummy worms for a fun twist.
These Witch’s Hats are more than just a dessert; they’re an enchanting, fun project that will bring a smile to anyone who gets to enjoy them! Perfect for Halloween gatherings or any occasion where a bit of whimsy is needed. Happy baking!
