A recipe from the Good Food collection.
two 14cm × 20cm ready-made sponge cakes
1 tbsp instant coffee powder
60ml (¼ cup) boiling water
2 tbsp coffee liqueur
100g dark chocolate, chopped
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large egg
2 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp natural vanilla extract
150g mascarpone cheese
60ml (¼ cup) cream, whipped to soft peaks
Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm × 30cm baking tin with baking paper. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Cut each cake horizontally into three 8mm layers. Combine the coffee, boiling water and liqueur in a small bowl. Set aside to cool. Brush each of the layers with the coffee mixture.
To make the filling, beat the egg, sugar and vanilla in a bowl using electric beaters until pale and creamy. Fold in the mascarpone and cream.
Place one layer of sponge in the prepared tin and spread with one-third of the filling. Top with another layer of sponge. Spread with another one-third of the filling. Repeat with the remaining sponge and filling. Place in the freezer for 40 to 50 minutes, or until firm. Use a 4cm heart-shaped cutter to cut out 24 hearts.
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir until the chocolate has melted. Pour onto the prepared tray. Spread to a thickness of 2mm with a spatula. Allow to set before cutting out 24 heart shapes with the cutter used for the cakes.
Transfer the chocolate hearts to a wire rack and dredge half with the cocoa. Place carefully on top of the petits fours. Refrigerate until needed.
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