3/4poundabout 1.5 cups frozen pitted dark sweet cherries, halved
1cupsemi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2cupsheavy cream
2tablespoonsmaraschino cherry juice
3tablespoonssugar
Instructions
Lightly grease a 9-inch tart pan.
Add chocolate wafer cookies to the bowl of a food processor and pulse to form fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse a few more times to mix.
Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan. Freeze for one hour.
Remove crust from freezer. Top with a single layer of cherries, cut side down. Return to the freezer while you prepare the chocolate mousse.
In a large microwave safe bowl, combined the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of the cream. Microwave at 50% power for 20 second intervals, just until melted and smooth. Stir in maraschino cherry juice.
With an electric mixer, beat the remaining cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream. Fold in the remaining chocolate mixture until incorporated.
Spread the mousse filling over the cherries and smooth the top. Freeze for at least one hour, or until firm.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and cherries, if desired.