CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE, EASY BERRY FRUIT TART & PEPPERMINT CANDY TARTS!!

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CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

At 16 servings, this easy-to-make torte is a great choice to serve the crowd at your next gathering!

INGREDIENTS
37 vanilla wafers, divided
4 squares Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, divided
2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) chocolate instant pudding
2 cups plus 2 Tbsp. cold milk, divided
1 tub (8 oz.) cool whip, thawed, divided
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup fresh raspberries

DIRECTIONS
Stand 16 wafers around inside edge of 9-inch round pan lined with plastic wrap. Melt 3 chocolate squares as directed on package.

Beat pudding mixes and 2 cups milk with whisk 2 min. Add melted chocolate; mix well. Stir in 1 cup cool whip; pour into prepared pan. Beat cream cheese, sugar and remaining milk with mixer until well blended.

Stir in 1 cup of the remaining cool whip; spread over pudding. Top with remaining wafers. Refrigerate 3 hours.

Meanwhile, shave remaining chocolate square into curls. Invert torte onto plate. Remove pan and plastic wrap. Top torte with remaining cool whip,berries and chocolate curls.

How to Make Chocolate Curls!
Warm chocolate square by microwaving it, unwrapped, on HIGH for a few seconds or just until you can smudge the chocolate with your thumb. Hold the square steadily and draw a vegetable peeler slowly over flat bottom of square, allowing a thin layer of chocolate to curl as it is peeled off the bottom of the square to make long, delicate curls. Or to make shorter curls, use the same technique using the narrow side of the chocolate square.

How to Soften Cream Cheese!
Place completely unwrapped package of cream cheese in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 10 sec. or just until softened. Add 15 sec. for each additional package of cream cheese
Recipe from Kraft

EASY BERRY FRUIT TART

INGREDIENTS:
CRUST
1 refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

FILLING
1 container (7 oz) crème fraîche
1 container (4 oz) refrigerated vanilla pudding

TOPPING
2/3 cup fresh raspberries
2/3 cup fresh blueberries
2/3 cup fresh blackberries
1 teaspoon powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 450°F. Make pie crust as directed on box for One-Crust Baked Shell using 9-inch glass pie plate. DO NOT PRICK CRUST.

In food processor bowl with metal blade, place almonds and granulated sugar; process with on/off pulses until finely ground. Sprinkle almond mixture over pie crust; gently press in. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown. If crust puffs in center, flatten gently with back of wooden spoon. Cool 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together crème fraîche and vanilla pudding. Spread pudding mixture in cooled baked shell. Top with berries. Refrigerate 2 hours or until serving time.

Just before serving, sprinkle tart with powdered sugar. Store covered in refrigerator.
Recipe from Pillsbury

PEPPERMINT CANDY TARTS

Treat your family & friends to these cute Christmas confections!

INGREDIENTS:
TART SHELLS
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

FILLING & GARNISH
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 or 3 drops red food color
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup crushed hard peppermint candies (about 18 candies)

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 32 mini muffin cups with shortening or cooking spray. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in peppermint extract and egg until blended. On low speed, beat in flour, baking soda and salt.

Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Press each ball in bottom and up side of muffin cup.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes until set and edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from muffin cups to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

In small bowl, beat filling ingredients except crushed candies with electric mixture on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Stir in 1/4 cup of the candies. Spoon or pipe 1 rounded measuring teaspoon filling into center of each tart shell. Sprinkle with remaining crushed candies.
Recipe from Betty Crocker