Chocolate Meringue Hearts with Strawberry Mousse

==Description==
What could be better than chocolate hearts made of dry meringue and a strawberry mousse center and garnished with a fresh whole strawberry in the center of each heart.
* Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group
* Makes 8 servings.
== Ingredients ==
=== Meringues ===
* ¼ cup confectioner's sugar
* ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 4 egg whites
* ¾ cup sugar
=== Mousse ===
* 1 x 16-oz. container frozen sliced strawberries in syrup, thawed
* ¼ cup raspberry liquor or water
* 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
* 1 container whipped topping
* fresh whole strawberries for garnish
== Method: ==
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=== Meringues ===
# Heat oven to 200 °F.
# Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
# Trace around 3 inch wide heart shaped cookie cutters on paper to form 8 hearts, invert paper.
# Sift confectioners sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder, reserve.
# Beat 4 egg whites until frothy.
# Reduce speed, beat in ¾ cup sugar until dissolved.
# Increase speed, beat until stiff peaks form.
# Sprinkle ⅓ cocoa mixture over meringue, fold in until combined.
# Fold in remaining cocoa mixture.
# Transfer to pastry bag fitted with large star tip.
# Pipe some meringue onto paper to fill in hearts.
# Pipe meringue rims along heart edges.
# Bake 1 hour, turn off oven, let stand in oven 6 hours or until completely dry.
=== Mousse ===
# In blender, puree strawberries.
# In pot over low heat, combine raspberry liqueur or water, unflavored gelatin, and ¼ cup strawberry puree, heat until gelatin is dissolved.
# Add gelatin mixture to puree.
# Fold in ⅓ of the container of whipped topping, thawed, until blended,.
# Fold in remaining whipped topping.
# Press plastic wrap against surface, refrigerate 6 hours.
# Transfer mousse to pastry bag fitted with large star tip.
# Pipe each heart with mousse.
# Garnish with fresh whole strawberries.
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Category:Cocoa Recipes
Category:Strawberry Recipes
Category:Valentine's Day Desserts
Category:World Recipes