Last night my mom had a dinner party and Bunko at our house! She has been in the same bunko group for over 10 years now with 12 different ladies from all around our area. Every month they rotate and play at each others' homes. Every meal is exquisite; I wish I could go just to taste their dinners! Out of all the ladies my mom is known for always having the best desserts (and of course lots of Chocolate)! Well, I had the honor of helping make the desserts last night! We made a puff pastry together filled with a chocolate cream, topped with melted chocolate and caramel sauce, and then sprinkled with pecans (pe-cawn, not pe CANs ;) ). A chocolate covered strawberry adorned the place as well. It was soooo delectable; it was gone before I could even take a picture of the final product! But the reviews were great and not one morsel of chocolate or pecan was left! All the ladies raved about it and honestly it was quite simple to make; so I thought I would share the recipe with you all!

The Pastry:

1 cup water
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs

1. Heat oven to 400 F. In a medium saucepan, heat water, butter and salt to a rolling boil. Add flour all at once; stir vigorously over low heat for about 1 minute, or until mixture leaves sides of the pan and forms a ball ( this happens fast!)


2. Remove from heat; add egg, one at a time, beating well. (Make sure the dough has cooled slightly to avoid scrambling the eggs! yuck!) Drop mixture into 12 balls on ungreased cookie sheet. ( I used an ice-cream scoop covered in Pam to make perfect balls)


3. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. While warm, cut the tops off and reserve. Remove any soft pieces of dough from inside the puff. Let cool.

Chocolate Cream Filling:

1 and 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa powder
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups milk
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. 
   In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, until mixture boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in one cup of the chocolate mixture into the eggs ( this prevents them from cooking). Add the egg mixture back into the pan. Cook over low heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, stir. Pour into a bowl, cover, and cool until cold and thick.


2. Fill puffs with Chocolate Cream Filling. Replace tops; drizzle with chocolate and sprinkle pecans! (Refrigerate until serving time.)
   
   ENJOY!!!