*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                               Zuccotto (3)

Recipe By     : Viviane Buzzi <viv@physics.unimelb.edu.au>
Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : 
  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2 1/2  ounces        almonds, blanched and peeled
   2 1/2  ounces        hazelnuts
   3      tablespoons   brandy
   3      tablespoons   amaretto
   3      tablespoons   maraschino or other sweet liqueur
                        <Strega is nice>
   9      ounces        sponge cake -- cut in thin slices
   5      ounces        bitter chocolate
     3/4  pint          whipping cream
   3      ounces        powdered sugar -- sifted
                        for decoration:
   2      tablespoons   powdered sugar
   1      tablespoon    cocoa powder

        Heat the oven to 400F.  Put the almonds and hazelnuts
        on separate baking trays and toast in the oven for 5 minutes.
        Then, with a rough towel, rub off as much of the hazelnut
        skins as you can.  Roughly chop the almonds and hazelnuts
        and set aside.

        Mix the three liqueurs together.  Line the inside of a
        1.5litre/2.5pint pudding basin with cling film and then
        with cake slices, reserving some for the top.  Moisten
        the cake with most of the liqueur mixture.

        Melt 2oz of the chocolate in a small bowl over a pan
        of simmering water; set aside.  Cut the remaining chocolate
        into small pieces.

        Whip the cream with the icing sugar until stiff.  Fold in the
        almonds, hazelnuts and chocolate pieces.

        Divide the cream mixture in half and spoon one portion into
        the mould, spreading it evenly all over the cake lining the
        bottom and sides.  Fold the melted chocolate into the
        remaining cream mixture and spoon it into the mould to fill
        the cavity.  Cover the pudding with the reserved cake and
        moisten it with the rest of the liqueur.  Cover the mould
        with cling film and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.
        To unmould, place a piece of greaseproof paper and then a
        piece of cardboard over the top of the pudding basin (or
        just use a serving plate).  Turn the basin over to turn
        out the pudding on to the paper and cardboard.  Place on a
        board, remove the basin and peel off the cling film.

        To decorate the zuccotto, cut out a circle of greaseproof
        paper 37cm/15inch in diameter.  Fold in two to make a half
        moon, then fold this in two to make a triangle.  Fold the
        triangle in two again to make a thinner triangle.  Open out
        and cut out each alternate section, without cutting the
        paper through at the top.

        Dust the whole dome with some sifted icing sugar.  Mix 2
        Tbsp of sifted icing sugar with the cocoa.  Place the cut-out
        circle of paper over the dome and sprinkle the cocoa and sugar
        mixture in the cut-out sections.  Remove the paper carefully
        without spoiling the pattern.  Transfer the zuccotto to a
        flat round serving dish, using the cardboard for support.
        Serve chilled.

Source: "I Dolci" by Anna del Conte



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