Clifton Country Inn Chocolate Chambord Bavarian Cream

Molly53's Note:

The Clifton Inn was built in 1799 and eventually became the residence of Thomas Mann Randolph, US congressman, governor of Virginia and son-in-law of Thomas Jefferson. It is a stately southern manse in the heart of Virginia with gently rolling lawns that drop off into pure mountain magic. Refrigeration time not included in preparation time.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 (¼ ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons water (cold)
• 1 cup half-and-half
• ½ vanilla bean
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon Chambord raspberry liquor or 1 teaspoon raspberry liqueur
• 1 egg yolk
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate , melted
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream or 1 ½ cups whipping cream , whipped
• mint leaf , for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle gelatin over water; set to the side.
2. Heat half and half and vanilla bean in a small saucepan until very warm but not boiling.
3. Remove vanilla bean; discard.
4. Pour this mixture into a bowl; add next three ingredients and mix well with whisk.
5. Return mixture to saucepan; cook over low heat for about 15 minutes or until mixture coats the back of a spoon, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove saucepan from heat.
7. Stir gelatin into hot mixture with a whisk until dissolved.
8. Add melted chocolate; stir until smooth and well combined.
9. Cool for an hour at room temperature.
10. Fold whipped cream into mixture.
11. Spoon into individual molds; refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm.
12. To serve, drizzle 1 tablespoon chambord onto each chilled dessert plate.
13. Unmold desserts onto plates and garnish with mint leaves, if desired.