Tag Archives: Food

Aug17

Chocolate Crunch Bark and Spiced Cashew Brittle

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Crunchy chocolate bark alongside cayenne-spiked cashew brittle is delicious. Awesome!

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Yields: about 2 pounds
Total Time: 1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup(s) whole raw cashews
1 cup(s) sugar
1/2 cup(s) light corn syrup
1 stick(s) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
1/4 cup(s) water
1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
1/4 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper
8 ounce(s) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) Rice Krispies or feuilletine

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spread the cashews on a small baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes, stirring once. Keep the cashews warm.

2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with buttered parchment paper. In a saucepan, bring the sugar, corn syrup, butter, and water to a boil. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until a deep amber toffee forms, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Whisk in the baking soda and cayenne; it will bubble up. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the warm cashews.

3. Pour the hot candy onto the baking sheet and spread it as thinly as possible. Let cool completely, then break into large shards.

4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water, melt two-thirds of the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate reaches 130 degrees F. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the remaining chocolate until melted and the temperature drops to 85 degrees F. Return the bowl to the saucepan and warm the chocolate to 90 degrees F, stirring. Remove from the heat. Fold in the Rice Krispies. Spread the mixture on the parchment in a 1/4-inch-thick layer. Let harden completely, then break into large shards.

Aug15

Rocky Road Bars

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I figure if the ice cream works for me, I should try the cookies as well. Who wouldn’t like to find one of these rich treats in a lunchbox or party favor bag? Just wrap each bar in a piece of waxed paper for mess-free transport. Place walnuts in a resealable plastic bag, and use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush them to desired size.

Rocky Road Bars 1

PREP: 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 2 HOURS 45 MINS
SERVINGS:12

Ingredients

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter an 8-inch square pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter the paper. Set aside.

STEP 2
In a medium saucepan, place butter and cocoa; heat over low, stirring constantly, until butter has melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in sugar, egg, flour, milk, and vanilla until combined.

Rocky Road Bars

STEP 3
Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove pan from oven; sprinkle top evenly with marshmallows, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Return to oven, and bake until marshmallows puff, about 3 minutes. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Then refrigerate until topping hardens, about 1 hour. Use paper overhang to lift from pan; cut into 12 bars.

Aug12

Chocolate-Mint Thumbprints

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Thumbprint cookies — made by pressing a small round of dough with the thumb to form an indentation — are great for filling with chocolate or jam. Feel free to mix the batter with any kind of mint-flavored candy, like Andes chocolate mints, but any kind of mint-flavored chocolate works well.

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Yields: 44 cookies
Total Time: 2 hr 30 min

Ingredients

2 ounce(s) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 ounce(s) mint chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup(s) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa
3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
2 stick(s) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup(s) granulated sugar
2 tablespoon(s) dark brown sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
1 cup(s) coarse sugar such as Turbinado, for rolling
3 ounce(s) white chocolate, chopped
3 tablespoon(s) heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon(s) pure peppermint extract

Directions

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the bittersweet and mint chocolates in 30-second intervals until nearly melted. Whisk until smooth, then let cool. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the cocoa and salt.

2. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter until creamy. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla. Scrape the chocolate into the mixer and beat just until incorporated. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed, scraping the side of the bowl occasionally, until smooth. Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and pat it into a 7-inch disk; wrap it up and refrigerate until chilled and firm, at least 1 hour.

3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and position racks in the upper and lower thirds. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Spread the coarse sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop up tablespoons of the dough and roll them into balls, then roll in the coarse sugar; transfer to the baking sheets. Using your thumb or a melon baller, make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes, until slightly firm. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven. Using the melon baller, press into the cookies again. Return the cookies to the oven, shifting the cookie sheets, and bake for 5 minutes longer, just until dry but not hard. Transfer the cookie sheets to racks to cool completely.

4. Put the white chocolate in a heatproof cup. Put the cream into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at high power until boiling, about 30 seconds. Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate and let stand until melted, then whisk until smooth. Stir in the peppermint extract. Fill the thumbprints with the white-chocolate ganache and refrigerate just until set, about 30 minutes.

Aug6

Chocolate-orange Cake

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Top dark chocolate cake layers with a layer of orange marmalade and an easy buttercream frosting that’s flavored with orange peel and orange liqueur. Enjoy!

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, other orange-flavored liqueur, or thawed frozen orange juice concentrate
Foolproof buttercream
Double-layer chocolate cake
About 1/3 cup orange marmalade

Preparation

1. Stir orange peel and Grand Marnier into foolproof buttercream.

2. Spread bottom layer of cake with orange marmalade, then about 3/4 cup of the orange buttercream.

3. Top with remaining cake layer and frost with remaining buttercream. Garnish the top of the cake with thin shreds of fresh orange peel.

Jul31

Hawaiian Brownie Sundaes

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Insanely Delicious!! The dark, rich chocolate in these Hawaiian-style brownies perfectly complements the sweet, moist coconut and macadamia nuts. Enjoy!

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Total Time: 1 hr 20 min
Prep Time: 35 min
Cook Time: 45 min

Ingredients

Brownies
Shortening, for preparing pan
1 teaspoon(s) cocoa powder, for preparing pan
1/2 pound(s) unsalted butter
1 pound(s) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3 ounce(s) premium unsweetened chocolate
3 large eggs
2 tablespoon(s) chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon(s) pure vanilla extract
1 cup(s) sugar
2 tablespoon(s) sugar
1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1/4 teaspoon(s) fine sea salt
1 cup(s) coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
1 cup(s) sweetened flaked coconut

Chocolate Sauce
8 ounce(s) premium semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup(s) heavy cream
1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract

For Serving
1 quart(s) premium coffee ice cream
1/2 cup(s) toasted coconut, for garnish
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by-9-inch pan with shortening, then coat with cocoa powder. Set aside.

2. Place butter, 1/2 pound chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate in top of a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water until melted and smooth, stirring frequently. Cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, chocolate syrup, vanilla, and sugar. Add mixture to warm melted chocolate and cool.

3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour with baking powder and salt, then stir into chocolate mixture. In another mixing bowl, combine macadamia nuts and remaining 1/2 pound chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons flour until nuts and chips are coated. Add nuts, chips, and coconut to chocolate mixture and combine thoroughly. Pour mixture into the prepared pan.

4. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove pan from oven, tap it several times to remove air from brownies. Continue to bake for another 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool completely.

5. Make the sauce by placing chopped chocolate in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Place cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring just to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and pour over the chocolate and stir until smooth. Add the vanilla and stir until combined.

6. Cut brownies into 8 large squares and place on serving plates. Top each with two scoops of ice cream (about 1/2 cup), ladle with chocolate sauce to taste, and sprinkle with toasted coconut and powdered sugar. Garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.

Jul24

No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

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With a candy-bar-inspired top and a crumbly cookie base, each of these rich squares packs a double dose of that perfect pairing: chocolate and peanut butter.

No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

YIELD:Makes 2 dozen

INGREDIENTS

Vegetable oil cooking spray
9 ounces chocolate wafers (about 40 wafers), finely ground (2 cups)
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
5 ounces (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup chunky peanut butter
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
1 1/2 ounces milk chocolate, melted

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the 2 long sides.

STEP 2
Combine wafers, oats, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add chunky peanut butter and 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter, whisking until well combined. Add peanut butter mixture to wafer mixture, stirring until combined. Transfer to baking dish, and use the bottom of a measuring cup or an offset spatula to firmly press mixture into an even layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

STEP 3
Pour melted semisweet chocolate over chilled mixture and, using an offset spatula, spread into a thin layer that covers the entire surface. Refrigerate until hardened, at least 15 minutes.

STEP 4
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter in a small saucepan until runny. Drizzle peanut butter over chilled chocolate. Drizzle melted milk chocolate over peanut butter. Refrigerate until hardened, about 15 minutes.

STEP 5
Use parchment to lift out chilled block of bars. Run a sharp knife under hot water, dry well, and cut into 24 squares, wiping knife between cuts. Let bars stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Jul21

Fudgy Fantasy Bars

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These chocolate Italian cream bars will surely melt in your mouth. They are delicious and well worth the effort.

Yields: 36 bars
Total Time: 25 min
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min

Ingredients

1 package(s) (17.5 ounces) sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup(s) cocoa baking powder
1/2 cup(s) butter or margarine, melted
1 large egg
2/3 cup(s) toasted chopped pecans
1/2 cup(s) sweetened flaked coconut
1 package(s) (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup(s) whipping (heavy) cream
1 block(s) (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup(s) chocolate syrup
2 cup(s) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

1 .Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil. Let some foil hang over the edges. Set aside.

2. Stir cookie mix and cocoa powder in large mixing bowl until well mixed. Add butter and egg, stirring until soft dough forms. Add pecans and coconut; knead to combine.

3. With wet fingers, press dough evenly over prepared baking pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or just until set. Cool completely.

4. Place chocolate chips and whipping cream in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted and the mixture is smooth. Spread 1 cup evenly over cooled cookie base.

5. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and chocolate syrup at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add whipped topping and beat until light and fluffy. Spread cheese mixture evenly over ganache layer. Carefully spread remaining ganache evenly over cheese filling.

6. Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. Lift bars with foil handles. Run wet knife around edges of cookie to peel off foil. Cut into bars. Store covered in refrigerator.

Jul14

Chocolate Toffee Matzo Crunch

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This candy has a lot going for it: It’s economical, super simple to make, impressive to look at, and—oh, right— I totally almost forgot how irresistibly munchable it is. It’s perfect for any kind of potluck or get-together; make it for a dessert swap and watch it magically disappear before your eyes. Suggestion: Use plain, unsalted matzo (so you can put in the exact amount of salt you want), but use whichever kind you like. It can’t help but be delectable. (If you want to fancy this up, add your favorite toppings— like unsweetened coconut, which makes this an alternative to the tooth-jarringly sweet macaroons that are often available on the same shelf as the matzo.)

Chocolate toffee-matzoh crunch

Makes about 50 two-inch pieces

Ingredients

4 1/2 sheets unsalted matzo
1 cup packed light brown sugar
14 Tbsp. (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
6.5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbsp. fleur de sel or coarse sea salt, or 1/3 cup toppings such as slivered almonds, or chopped dried cherries, or unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°.

2. Place the matzo in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, breaking it into pieces where necessary to fill the pan completely. Set aside.

3. Combine the brown sugar and butter in a medium size (4-quart) saucepan over medium heat. Stirring constantly with the heatproof spatula, bring to a boil, then continue to cook, still stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened and is just starting to pull away from the side of the pan, about 3 minutes.

4. Remove the mixture from the heat and sprinkle in the fine sea salt, stirring well to incorporate it. Pour it over the matzo in the baking sheet, spreading it in an even layer with the spatula. Place the baking sheet in the oven and immediately turn the heat down to 350°.

5. Bake, watching to make sure it doesn’t burn, until the toffee bubbles up and turns a rich golden brown, 15 minutes. If it looks like it’s starting to burn, turn the heat down to 325°.

6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate over the hot matzo. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then spread the now-melted chocolate evenly with the spatula and sprinkle with the salt or your favorite toppings while the chocolate is still melted.

7. Allow the matzo to cool completely, 20 to 30 minutes, then break it into smaller pieces (roughly 2-inch square).

Jul12

Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart

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Nothing better than chocolate and the weekend…

A triple layer of crumbly crust, a truffle-like interior, and an almost patent-leather-shiny glaze make this tart the chicest take on chocolate I’ve come across in a long time.

Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart

Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings Active time: 30 min Total time: 2 3/4 hr (includes cooling)

Ingredients

For crust:
9 (5- by 2 1/4-inch) chocolate graham crackers (not chocolate-covered), finely ground (1 cup)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

For filling:
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate (not more than 65% cacao if marked), chopped
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

For glaze:
2 tablespoon heavy cream
1 3/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1 tablespoon warm water

Equipment:
a 9-inch round fluted tart pan (1 inch deep)

Preparation

Make crust:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

2. Stir together all ingredients and press evenly onto bottom and 3/4 inch up side of tart pan. Bake until firm, about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack 15 to 20 minutes

Make filling:
1. Bring cream to a boil, then pour over chocolate in a bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth. Whisk together eggs, vanilla, and salt in another bowl, then stir into melted chocolate.

2. Pour filling into cooled crust. Bake until filling is set about 3 inches from edge but center is still wobbly, 20 to 25 minutes. (Center will continue to set as tart cools.) Cool completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour.

Make glaze:
1. Bring cream to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until smooth. Stir in corn syrup, then warm water

2. Pour glaze onto tart, then tilt and rotate tart so glaze coats top evenly. Let stand until glaze is set, about 1 hour.

Jul11

Chocolate Yummy

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Chocolate Yummy might not be part of your dessert vernacular, but in Cajun Country, everybody knows what this dish is. The “yummy” architecture begins with a base of crumbled cookies (usually store-bought), followed by layers of sweetened cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and Cool Whip. This is the type of dessert that someone pulls out of the fridge after a big meal or cookout, and even when guests think they’re too full, they find themselves polishing off a portion of yummy.

Here is a grown-up version that’s a bit more sophisticated. It’s a rich pecan shortbread base topped with cream cheese, a silky pudding made with dark chocolate and fresh whipped cream.

Chocolate Yummy

Yield: Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

Pecan shortbread
3 ounces pecans, toasted
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Chocolate pudding
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 ounce milk chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 pound cream cheese
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
2 cups heavy cream
Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Preparation

1. Place the pecans and sugar in a food processor and pulse together for 30 seconds.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, vanilla, and the pecan-sugar mixture, then stir in the flour and salt until just mixed. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

4. Use your fingers to press the chilled dough into a 9-inch square baking dish. Prick the dough with a fork and bake 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly golden. Cool the cooked dough while preparing the remaining layers.

5. Heat the cream for the pudding in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir together the sugar and egg yolks in a mixing bowl. When the cream is hot (but not boiling), temper the cream into the yolks by slowly adding half the cream while stirring vigorously, then stir the egg mixture back into the cream in the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

6. Place the dark and milk chocolate in a mixing bowl with the butter, vanilla, and salt. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and stir until the chocolate and butter are melted. Spread the pudding in a shallow dish to cool and cover it with a piece of plastic wrap placed directly on the surface so a skin does not form.

7. In a small mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar together until smooth.

8. In the bowl of an electric mixer, or by hand, whip the cream to soft peaks, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and whip a few minutes more, until stiff peaks form.

9. Spread the cream cheese over the cooled shortbread crust, top with the pudding, and then add the whipped cream. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight. Garnish with additional chocolate shavings, if desired.