Chocolate Mint Swirl

The classic combination of chocolate mint swirl and mint flavors makes an attractive dessert for special occasions.

• Place the cream in a large mixing bowl and beat until standing in soft peaks.
• Fold in the fromage frais or yogurt and sugar, then place about one-third of the mixture in a smaller bowl. Stir the crème de menthe into the smaller bowl. Melt the dark chocolate and stir it into the remaining mixture.
• Place alternate spoonfuls of the 2 mixtures into serving glasses, then swirl the mixture together to give a decorative effect. Chill until required.
• To make the piped chocolate decorations, melt a small amount of chocolate and place in a paper pastry bag.
• Place a sheet of baking parchment on a board and pipe squiggles, stars, or flower shapes with the melted chocolate. Alternatively, to make curved decorations, pipe decorations onto a long strip of baking parchment, then carefully place the strip over a rolling pin, securing with tape. Allow the chocolate to set, then carefully remove from the baking parchment.
• Decorate each dessert with piped chocolate decorations and serve. The desserts can be decorated and then chilled, if desired.

COOK’S TIP

Pipe the patterns freehand or draw patterns onto baking parchment first, turn the parchment over, and then pipe the chocolate, following the drawn outline.