…chocolate

Could chocolate be the most universally loved ingredient? Please the crowds at the office party with this unbeatable mousse, stave off end-of-year exhaustion with these next-level chocolate chip cookies, or win hearts with cinnamon fudge

Salted chocolate

cinnamon fudge

Place 1 x 385 g can condensed milk, 2 t ground cinnamon, 1 t Woolworths vanilla powder, 400 g dark chocolate, 3 T butter, flaked sea salt and 100 g chopped pecan nuts in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring the water does not touch the bowl. Allow the ingredients to melt, stirring occasionally. Pour into a large dish and chill for 4–6 hours, or until firm. Cut into squares before serving. Makes 12 squares

6-ingredient

chocolate mousse

Beat 1 cup cream until stiff peaks form, then chill until required. Place 4 free-range egg yolks, ¼ cup strong brewed espresso and 2 T sugar into a glass bowl. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and cook, whisking continually, until doubled in volume, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, add 120 g chopped and melted Lindt Touch of Sea Salt dark chocolate and stir to combine. Beat 2 free-range egg whites with

1 T sugar. Fold the egg whites into 1 cup whipped cream, then gently fold into the chocolate mixture. Place in a serving bowl and chill for 1–2 hours, or until set. Serve with a swirl of crème fraîche. Serves 4

Salted chocolate

chip cookies

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Cream

450 g brown sugar, 335 g butter and 1 t vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Add ¼ of a beaten egg (discard the rest), 550 g flour, 2 t bicarbonate of soda and 1 t salt, taking care not to overmix. Divide the mixture in half and place in separate bowls. Add

125 g white chocolate to one batch of cookie dough and 125 g dark chocolate to the other and mix. Mould into golf ball-sized rounds, then flatten slightly. Place on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden. Makes 10–12