Tag Archives: Cooking

Feb23

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownie Layer Cake

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I had to share this recipe from Life, Love and Sugar blog. The Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownie Layer Cake is one decadent, rich dessert! Layers of brownie and peanut butter cookie dough are layered together and topped with chocolate ganache and a touch of peanut butter icing!

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Ingredients

Brownies
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 cups sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract
6 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup cocoa (I use Hershey’s Special Dark)
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Cookie Dough
1 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter
3 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3-4 tbsp milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Chocolate Ganache
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided

Peanut Butter Frosting
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp water or milk
mini chocolate chips, for topping, if desired

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Instructions

1. Line the bottoms of three 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 350 degree.
2. Mix together the oil, sugar and vanilla extract.
3. Add eggs and mix until well combined.
4. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
5. Slowly add to the egg mixture until well combined.
6. Pour the batter evenly into the three pans and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
8. Remove brownies from oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to cool on wire rack.
9. While brownies cool, make cookie dough.

To make the cookie dough:
1. Cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
7. Mix in peanut butter and vanilla extract.
8. With the mixer on low speed, add flour.
9. Add milk to preferred thickness.
10. Stir in chocolate chips. Dough will be thick. Set aside.

To assemble cake:
Once the brownies are cool, it’s time to put the layers together. You can pile the cookie dough onto the brownies, stack the layers and leave messy layers, or use the method I used for having clean edges/sides of the cake.
1. Place half of chocolate chips in a metal bowl.
2. Microwave half of the heavy cream until it starts to boil. Remove from microwave and pour over chocolate chips.
3. Cover bowl with saran wrap for 5-7 minutes.
4. Whisk chocolate and cream until smooth.
5. Using one of the same 8 inch cake pans that you baked the brownies in, put parchment paper or saran wrap in the bottom and up the sides of the pan. You will use it to lift the layers out of the pan.
6. Place the first brownie into the bottom of the pan.
7. Add about 3 tbsp of chocolate ganache on top of the brownie and spread into a thin layer. This will help the cookie dough stick to the brownie.
8. Put half of the cookie into the pan and spread evenly on top of the brownie.
9. Remove the first two layers from the cake pan and place on it’s serving dish.
10. Repeat steps 5-8 with the second brownie and remaining cookie dough. Then remove from pan.
11. Put another 3 tbsp of chocolate ganache on top of the cookie dough layer from the first section of cake and spread thinly.
12. Place the second section of cake onto the first.
13. Put another 3 tbsp of chocolate ganache on top of the cookie dough layer on top (the fourth layer) and spread thinly.
14. Top with remaining brownie.

To finish off cake:
1. Place remaining chocolate chips in a metal bowl.
2. Microwave remaining heavy cream until it starts to boil. Remove from microwave and pour over chocolate chips.
3. Cover bowl with saran wrap for 5-7 minutes.
4. Whisk chocolate and cream until smooth.
5. Allow to sit for a few minutes until it just starts to thicken, then pour over the top of the cake.
6. Place cake in refrigerator and make the peanut butter icing.
7. To make the icing, beat the shortening and butter together until smooth.
8. Add the peanut butter and mix until smooth.
9. Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
10. Add water or milk.
11. Remove cake from fridge, and pipe icing onto the top edge of the cake and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, if desired.

Feb21

Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars

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All it takes is five minutes on the stove to melt the peanut butter and sugar together and then just drizzle on the chocolate.

I actually first tried these as bars, but then I thought, these would be so cute in little hand-held bites. So I just made both, and both are awesome. I personally would make the cups only because I think they are cuter and really easy for people to grab, go and eat!

Snickerdoodle-Peanut-Butter-Chocolate-Chex-Mix-Bars

Ingredients

2 cups Corn Chex
1 cup Rice Chex
1 cup Whole Wheat Chex
1 1/2 cups bite size pretzels
1 cup air popped popcorn
1 cup mixed nuts (I used peanuts, cashews, pistachios and pecans)
1/4 cup salted butter, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup karo syrup
1 cup brown sugar
2-3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like to use all 3 cups)

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine the corn chex, rice chex, whole wheat chex, pretzels, popcorn and nuts. Toss well.

2. In a small bowl whisk together the melted butter, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour the butter mixture over the chex mix and toss well with you hands until the butter and cinnamon has coated all of the chex mix.

3. Using cooking spray or canola oil thoroughly grease 24 cupcake molds (or for bars grease or line with wax paper a 9×13 inch pan), set aside.

4. Add the Karo syrup, peanut butter and brown sugar together in medium saucepan. Heat almost to a boil but be careful not to burn. Stir to combine the ingredients. Once the mixture begins to bubble around the edges, stir for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the chex mix and toss well with a spatula.

5. Spoon the mixture evenly among 24 cupcake mold, or one 9×13 inch pyrex dish, and lightly press the mixture together.

6. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double broiler. I like to microwave mine, heating on full power for 20 seconds, stir, 30 seconds again, and stir until melted. Spoon a tablespoon or so of melted chocolate over each bar. Place the trays in the fridge for 45 minutes or until ready serve. Once ready to serve use a butter knife to pop the bars up and out of their molds.

Feb13

Sicilian Ricotta Cheese Cake

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I believe this to be the first recipe that I have posted that isn’t chocolate, but no one will complain. This cheese cake is a must share!

Sicilian-Cheese-Cake

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 60 mins
Total time: 1 hour 15 mins
Serves: 8

Ingredients

32 ounces ricotta cheese, drained
1 orange (for 2 teaspoons orange zest/grated rind)
⅓ cup flour
1 cup sugar
6 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 graham crackers (2 packets from a 14 oz box)
1 stick butter

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Generously grease a springform pan with butter.
3. For graham cracker crust, crush graham crackers in food processor until consistency of bread crumbs; stir with melted butter until mixture holds shape when squeezed. If needed, add a little more melted butter.
4. Firmly press graham cracker “crust” into bottom and along bottom sides of spring form pan; set aside.
5. Sift together flour and sugar in small mixing bowl.
6. In medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and orange zest. Slowly fold in flour mixture with spatula until well blended and smooth.
7. Add eggs, one at a time, continuing to blend with spatula. Stir in vanilla extract.
8. Pour batter into spring form pan and gently smooth top with spatula.
9. Bake for 55-60 minutes, until cake is firm all the way to top center. Cool completely and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to set.

Feb11

Chocolate Heaven Pie

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This decadent chocolate pie recipe features a chocolate cookie crust, cream cheese filling, a chocolate filling and is topped with whipped cream. Enjoy!

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Makes 10 Servings

Ingredients

1 chocolate cookie crust (prepared)
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
18-ounce container whipped topping, divided
1 21-ounce can Chocolate Crème Pie Filling
mini chocolate chips or nuts to garnish

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Directions

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl until smooth; add 4 oz. whipped topping, mix well and spread into crust.

2. Empty pie filling into a clean bowl and stir thoroughly to smooth. Spread onto cream cheese mixture.

3. Cover the entire pie with whipped topping and mini chocolate chips or simply garnish.

4. Chill until served.

Feb3

Cherry Sour Cream Fudge Pie

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Happy Tuesday! Here’s my first chocolate crush of the week. Enjoy!

Cherry Sour Cream Fudge Pie

Ingredients

CRUST
Single crust pie pastry

FILLING
3/4 cup Land O Lakes® Butter
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 Land O Lakes® Eggs, separated
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup sugar

TOPPING
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup canned cherry pie filling
Chocolate syrup ice cream topping, if desired

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. Line 9-inch pie pan with pastry; crimp or flute crust. Set aside.

3. Melt 3/4 cup butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar and 6 tablespoons cocoa. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes.

4. Stir in flour. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, until well mixed. Stir in 2 tablespoons water.

5. Beat egg whites in small bowl at high speed, scraping bowl often, until foamy. Continue beating, gradually adding 1/4 cup sugar, until soft peaks form. Gently stir chocolate mixture into egg whites just until mixed.

6. Pour filling into prepared pie shell. Bake 40-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes.

7. Stir together sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl. Spread over warm pie; top with spoonfuls of cherry pie filling. Bake 5 minutes.

8. Drizzle with ice cream topping, if desired. Serve warm or refrigerate until serving time.

Jan30

Chocolate-Coconut Pound Cake

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The fragrant richness of coconut oil and the tenderizing power of buttermilk make this the ultimate chocolate pound cake.

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Ingredients

Servings: 8 ¼cupunsalted butter, room temperature, plus more
1½cupsall-purpose flour
½cupunsweetened cocoa powder
1teaspoonkosher salt
¾teaspoonbaking powder
½cupvirgin coconut oil, room temperature
1½cupsplus 1 tablespoon sugar
3large eggs
1teaspoonvanilla extract
⅔cupbuttermilk
¼cupunsweetened coconut flakes

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Butter an 8×4” loaf pan; line with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on long sides. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside.

2. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat oil, ¼ cup butter, and 1½ cups sugar until pale and fluffy, 5–7 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions; beat until mixture is very light and doubled in volume, 5–8 minutes. Add vanilla.

3. Reduce mixer speed to low and add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients (do not overmix; it will cause cake to buckle and split). Scrape batter into prepared pan and run a spatula through the center, creating a canal. Sprinkle with coconut and remaining 1 Tbsp. sugar.

4. Bake cake, tenting with foil if coconut browns too much before cake is done (it should be very dark and toasted), until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 70–80 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool in pan 20 minutes before turning out.

Jan24

Pound-Cake Tiramisu

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Since it’s Saturday, you may want to treat yourself to a chocolate favorite that takes a little less time. This dessert takes just 15 minutes to prep.

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SERVINGS: 8

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
4 ounces bar cream cheese, room temperature
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup strong coffee or espresso, room temperature
2 tablespoons dark rum or brandy
1 loaf pound cake, preferably marbled, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup shaved semisweet chocolate
Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions

1. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream, cream cheese, and confectioners sugar until combined. In a small bowl, combine coffee and rum.

2. In a 2-quart baking dish, lay half the cake slices in a single layer, trimming to fit. Brush with half the coffee mixture. Top with half the cream mixture and half the chocolate. Repeat. Dust top with cocoa powder. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Jan21

My Chocolate Show Stopper

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How awesome is this!!!!

Jan15

Chocolaty Cookies N Cream Parfaits

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Rich, Dark, and Handsome… With dark chocolate richness, and sweet, crumbled cookie-ness. Enjoy!!

Chocolaty Cookies N Cream Parfaits

Ingredients

(Makes about 6 servings in 6 ounce glasses, or 4 servings in 10 ounce glasses)

Ingredients:

16 fl oz whipping cream, cold
2 tablespoons sugar
2 (16 ounce) tubs all natural Belgian chocolate pudding*, divided use
24 all natural chocolate-vanilla sandwich cookies*, crushed into chunky consistency
1 (1ounce) square semi-sweet chocolate, to shave for garnish

Directions

1. In the bowl of a mixer (or using a hand-held), add the cold cream and begin whipping; once thickened slightly, sprinkle in the sugar and finish whipping just until stiff peaks form; set aside for a moment.

2. In medium-large bowl, add 2 cups of the chocolate pudding (reserving the remaining pudding) and begin adding the whipped cream to it in several increments, gently folding in to keep a fluffy and light consistency, as this is the “chocolate mousse” part of the dessert; once all whipped cream is incorporated, set aside and prepare glasses.

To Assemble (for 6 servings in 6 ounce glasses):

Begin by adding equal amounts of the crushed cookies to the bottom of each glass (about 3 tablespoons), next a layer of chocolate pudding (about 3 tablespoons), and next a layer of the “chocolate mousse” (about 3 tablespoons); repeat this process again for each glass, with another layering of crushed cookies, then the pudding, then the “chocolate mousse”, finally finishing with a final sprinkling of crushed cookies and a decorative dollop of “chocolate mousse”; garnish by shaving a little of the semi-sweet chocolate square with a vegetable peeler over the tops of each glass; refrigerate until ready to serve, or serve immediately.

To Assemble (for 4 servings in 10 ounce glasses):

Follow assembly instructions above only increase the quantity of each layer to about 5 tablespoons in order to fill each glass.

Jan10

OREO Cheesecake

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If it seems like a shame to crush the OREO Cookies before you get to eat them, one bite of this delectable cheesecake will change your mind. Enjoy!

Oreo Cheese Cake

25 min prep
6 hr 25 min total
Makes 16 servings

Ingredients

36 OREO Cookies, divided
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) brick cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs

Instructions

1. HEAT oven to 350°F.

2. CRUSH 26 cookies finely; coarsely chop remaining cookies. Mix crushed cookies with butter; press onto bottom and 2 inches up side of 9-inch springform pan.

3. BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Stir in chopped cookies. Pour into crust.

4. BAKE 55 min. to 1 hour or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.