Chocolate Cream Puff Ring

Directions

1. 1
   In 2 quarts (1900 ml) pan over medium heat, heat salt, 1/2 cup (125 ml) (1 stick) butter,
2. 2
   and 1 cup (225 ml) water until butter melts and mixture boils.
3. 3
   Remove from heat and vigorously stir in flour all at once until mixture forms a ball and leaves sides of pan.
4. 4
   Add 4 eggs to mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition, until mixture is smooth and satiny.
5. 5
   Cool slightly.
6. 6
   Preheat oven to 400 degrees (200 C.).
7. 7
   Lightly grease and flour large cookie sheet, using a 7 inch plate as guide, trace a circle in flour on cookie sheet.
8. 8
   Drop batter by heaping tbsp into 12 mounds, inside circle, to form
9. 9
   a ring.
10. 10
    Bake 40 minutes or until golden.
11. 11
    Turn off oven; let ring remain
12. 12
    in oven 15 minutes.
13. 13
    Remove and cool on cookie sheet on wire rack.
14. 14
    In heavy 3 quarts (2850 ml) pan over low heat, heat 3/4 package (1 1/2 cups) chocolate pieces (keep remaining 1/2 cup (125 ml) for glaze) with milk, and 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter (1/4 stick), stirring occasionally until smooth.
15. 15
    Add 2 eggs, one at a time, stirring mixture constantly with wire whisk.
16. 16
    Continue stirring, about 5 minutes, until mixture thickens slightly.
17. 17
    Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature, about 1 hour.
18. 18
    When mixture is cool, in large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat heavy or whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
19. 19
    Gently fold in to chocolate mixture, half at a time, until blended.
20. 20
    With long serrated knife, cut cooled ring horizontally in half.
21. 21
    Spoon chocolate mousse into bottom of ring, replace top and refrigerate.
22. 22
    Prepare chocolate glaze, spoon over ring and garnish center with strawberries.
23. 23
    In 1 quart (950 ml) pan over low heat, heat the 1/2 cup (125 ml) chocolate pieces with 1
24. 24
    tablespoon butter, 1-1/2 tsp (7 ml) milk and 1-1/2 tsp (7 ml) light corn
25. 25
    syrup until smooth, stirring constantly.
26. 26
    Drizzle over the crust.