Tag Archives: Recipes

Nov20

Gooey Chocolate-Caramel Fantasy

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This luscious dessert includes a chocolate crumb crust and caramel-pecan filling crowned with melted chocolate.

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter, melted
2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (about 38 wafers)
30 vanilla caramels
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
2 cups chopped pecans
1/4 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/4 cup whipping cream

Directions

1.In a medium mixing bowl, stir together chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter. Press onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes. Cool slightly on a wire rack.

2. In a heavy medium saucepan, melt caramels in caramel ice cream topping over low heat, stirring often. Stir in the first 1/4 cup whipping cream. Remove from heat; stir in nuts. Spread over crust. Cool; cover and chill for 1 hour.

3. For topping: In a heavy small saucepan, melt chocolate. Remove from heat; stir in remaining whipping cream.

4. Drizzle or spread over caramel-pecan mixture. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Makes 12 servings.

Nov13

Mini Chocolate Snowball Cakes

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For when a snack-cake craving (or nostalgia) strikes. Confession: Sometimes we get a little nostalgic for a classic Hostess snack cake, specifically of the Sno Ball variety. When the craving strikes, we turn to this recipe for mini chocolate snowball cakes.

Ingredients

Cakes

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
½ cup sugar
2 eggs
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1¼ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup warm water 

Finishing

3 cups shredded coconut
2 2/3 cups whipped topping or whipped cream

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Make the cakes: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter with the brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, and scrape the side of the bowl well after each is added. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the cocoa powder, baking soda and salt to combine. Add about half of the flour mixture to the mixer, and mix on low speed to combine.

5. Gradually add the buttermilk and water to the mixer; mix to combine. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix to combine.

6. Scoop the batter (an ice-cream scoop works great) into 16 even mounds on the prepared baking sheets. Stagger the cakes, leaving at least 2 inches of space all around—the cakes will spread during baking.

7. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool completely.

8. Trim the uneven edges from the cakes by pressing a 3-inch circle cookie cutter (or the rim of a large glass) into the center of each cooled cake. You will end up with 16 perfect circles.

9. Spread the coconut into an even layer on a large plate or baking sheet.

10 .Build the cakes:  Scoop ⅓ cup whipped topping or whipped cream onto a cake and then place another cake on top. Press down on the top cake until some of the filling comes out the sides and then use a spatula to spread this excess all over the sides and top. Repeat with the remaining cakes and whipped cream.

11. Roll the cakes in the coconut to coat all over. Refrigerate the cakes until ready to serve. They will keep in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container, for up to a week.

Nov6

Chocolate Cream Pie

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The filling of this chocolate-crust pie is luscious, but not too rich. (Think old-fashioned chocolate pudding.) A bit of sour cream in the whipped topping balances the chocolate perfectly.

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening, chilled and cut up
3 -4 tablespoons ice water
1 cup chopped semisweet chocolate (6 ounces)
2 tablespoons butter
3 cups whole milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Chocolate curls or grated semisweet chocolate

Directions

For crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 4 1/2 teaspoons sugar and the salt. Using a pastry blender, cut shortening into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water over part of the mixture. Gently toss with a fork. Continue adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until all dough is moistened. Form dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface press dough into a disk. Roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Ease circle into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2-inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra crust and crimp as desired.
Prick bottom and sides of pastry with a fork. Line crust with a double layer of foil. Bake in a 425 degrees F oven for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 8 minutes more or until set and dry. Remove from oven and cool completely.

For filling: Place chopped chocolate and butter in a medium bowl. Set aside. Heat milk in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat until steam rises from surface (do not let boil). Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 2/3 cup sugar, the yolks, cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (mixture will be thick).

Slowly whisk 2 cups of the hot milk into egg mixture. Add egg mixture back into saucepan. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Cook for 30 seconds more. Pour over chopped chocolate and butter. Let stand for 3 minutes. Add vanilla; whisk until chocolate and butter are melted and mixture is smooth.
Pour into cooled crust. Cover pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until set.
When ready to serve, prepare topping. In a large mixing bowl beat cream, sour cream and powdered sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed just until stiff peaks form. Spread over pie and top with chocolate curls.

Nov1

Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters

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WARNING – May cause a Turtle Addiction so DON’T shoot the messenger 🙂

CHOCOLATE PECAN TURTLE CLUSTERS!!!
These are so easy to make and a great gift idea!!! Thanks to my life long #friendsofTenaciousM, Freida Bookman!

Ingredients

2 1/2 C pecans
1/2 C butter (I use salted)
1 C brown sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
7 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1/2 of a 14 ounce can)
1/2 t vanilla
1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate chips
1/2 t shortening (I use butter flavored Crisco)

Directions

1. Toss 2 1/2 cups of pecans into a large skillet. Toast them over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until they have darkened just a bit and smell fragrant and wonderful. Should only take a few minutes.

2. Find yourself 2 large cookie sheets. Line them with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Arrange your pecans into clusters, three to a group works well. You want to leave some space (about an inch) between each cluster.

3. Make your caramel. Place 1/2 C butter into a medium-sized sauce pan. Melt it over medium high heat. Add 1 C brown sugar, 1/2 C light corn syrup and 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk to the pan. Increase the heat just a bit and stir it continually. Cook and stir until it reaches 235-240 degrees. I generally remove it from the heat when it reaches about 234 degrees. It will continue to rise in temperature just a bit even without the direct heat, making the caramel just the right texture.

4. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

5. Carefully drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of caramel over each nut cluster. You’ll want to work quickly, as the caramel will begin to set up. Be sure there is caramel touching all of the nuts in your cluster. The caramel works like glue, sticking the nuts together.

6. In a microwave safe bowl pour 12 ounces of milk chocolate chips. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each cooking interval.

7. Add 1/2 teaspoon of shortening to the melted chocolate. Allow it to sit for a minute or two (so it can melt and make the chocolate chips more spreadable). Stir it all together.

8. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over the top of the caramel and nuts. Swirl it around along the top making a pretty swoop with your spoon.

9. Allow the chocolate to set up. Once
it has hardened and cooled you can serve them immediately, or transfer them to an air tight container.

Enjoy!

May4

Dark Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes

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Ohhh, I’ve got it bad. Get ready for a flavor adventure! These amazing cupcakes starring dark chocolate and…wait for it…bacon! Strong brewed coffee and buttermilk are the other secret ingredients here that produce a moist, rich cupcake. Top with your favorite chocolate frosting, a sprinkling of crumbled bacon, and a dusting of cocoa powder.

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Ingredients

12 slices bacon

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups white sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 eggs

1 cup cold, strong, brewed coffee

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, buttermilk and oil. Stir just until blended. Mix in 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the rest for garnish. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and sprinkle reserved bacon crumbles on top. Dust with additional cocoa powder.
May2

Paleo Homemade Dark Chocolate

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Homemade chocolate that melts in your mouth. Made without artificial ingredients or waxes, this wholesome treat is ideal for the health conscious individual who enjoys an indulgent treat. Sweetness can be tweaked to taste, and add-in ingredients and combinations are endless. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Gently melt coconut oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract into melted oil until well blended. Pour mixture into a candy mold or pliable tray. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

2. Flavor by adding orange zest, peanut butter, dried coconut, chopped nuts, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, etc. to taste and consistency desired. Add after melting coconut oil, cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla together.
Maple syrup can be used in place of honey.

Number of servings depends on thickness of mold(s) used, as does set up time.
Not recommended for baking. Must be kept refrigerated.

Apr28

Double Chocolate Skillet Brownie Sundae

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I have just the perfect dessert to celebrate all of my special friends who work so hard and sacrifice so much. It’s called the Double Chocolate Skillet Brownie Sundae and it’s basically chocolate on steroids. Rich, decadent double chocolate brownie baked in a cast iron skillet, topped with salted caramel ice cream, drizzled with hot fudge, and garnished with chunks of chocolate.

Ingredients

¾ cup Butter
1¼ cup Sugar
¾ cup Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla
¾ cup Flour
1/3 cup Cake Flour (can substitute all-purpose flour)
½ cup Cocoa Powder
¼ teaspoon Salt
¾ cup Chocolate Chips or Chunks

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Heat cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Heat butter until melted, add sugars, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Chill for 10 minutes (place skillet in refrigerator on top of oven mitt).
Add eggs and vanilla and stir until smooth.

2. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and salt.

3. Fold in chocolate chunks.

4. Bake for 16-22 minutes, depending on skillet or pan width. Watch it closely so the brownies don’t overbake.

5. Top with favorite ice cream flavor, hot fudge or caramel, whipped cream, and chocolate.

Apr12

Chocolate Toffee Matzah Crunch

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My new go to Sunday brunch chocolate recipe is this Chocolate Toffee Matzah Crunch.  You’ll find that it is easy and delicious as well!

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 INGREDIENTS

4-5 sheets of matzah

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

12 oz. dark chocolate

PREPARATION

Preheat over to 350F/175C

Cover a tray with baking paper. Fill the tray with the matzah sheets, breaking them to fill the entire tray.

Melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes constantly stirring. This should dissolve the bits of sugar.

Pour over matzah and spread evenly with a spatula.

Bake for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it and don’t let it burn.

While the matzah is still hot, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the matzah and let it sit for 5 minutes. Spread the chocolate with a spatula. Then add sea salt or chopped nuts.

Chill for 30 minutes then cut into squares. Serve cold.

Apr5

The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake

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I have found it. My search has ended. I now have THE recipe. This cake is moist and has the perfect crumb. I cannot imagine making a chocolate cake using any other recipe.  It is so easy to make and puts doctored cake mix recipes to shame. I’m eating a piece of the cake as I’m writing this, drooling all over my keyboard. It is insanely delicious. A decades search was worth the wait. Every…decadent…bite. Who wants cake?

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Ingredients
  • 1½ cups butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 7-8 cups powdered sugar
  • about ¼ cup milk (as needed)
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results
  2. Add in cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
  3. Beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Add milk as necessary to make a spreadable consistency. The frosting should be very thick and will thicken even more if refrigerated.
Mar31

Samoas Cookie Pie

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Thin Mints and Samoas are my favorite Girl Scout cookies and since I already have a fast, easy, no-bake, and foolproof Thin Mints recipe, it was time to tackle Samoas.

 

The textures and flavors are all there in this giant Samoa cookie. Gooey, chewy, sticky, sweet, and wonderful. Dare I say this may even be better than the real thing.

It’s a fast, easy, no-mixer recipe that comes together in minutes and there’s nothing fussy about it. Making individual Samoas cookies is way too labor-intensive and this giant cookie is the opposite.

I made a simple stir-together dough for the crust before topping with chocolate chips, shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, salted caramel, and a final chocolate drizzle.

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INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
1 large egg
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for sprinkling
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, loosely laid in measuring cup (not packed)
two-thirds of one 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (about 10 ounces)
4 to 5 ounces salted caramel sauce (use homemade salted caramel or store bought, regular caramel sauce may be substituted)
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted for drizzling

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9-inch pie dish very well with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
  3. Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
  4. Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined; don’t over mix.
  5. Turn batter out into prepared pie dish, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes or until edges firm up slightly and center will have begun to set up a bit. It’s by no means done, but pie will be returned to oven to bake another 25 minutes or so.
  6. Remove pie dish from oven, and evenly sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips over the crust.
  7. Evenly sprinkle the coconut.
  8. Evenly drizzle the sweetened condensed milk (just eyeball it).
  9. Evenly drizzle the caramel sauce (just eyeball it).
  10. Return pan to oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until there’s slightly bubbling near the edge of dish and the center has dried out some and looks more set. Cookie pie will firm up more as it cools. In the last 10 minutes of baking, watch it like a hawk because the coconut, caramel, and sweetened condensed milk will all be prone to burning; better to underbake than overbake if you’re unsure.
  11. Allow pie to cool in dish on a wire rack while you melt the chocolate for drizzling by adding 3/4 cup chocolate chips to a small microwave-safe bowl and heat to melt, about 1 minute on high power. Stop to check and stir and heat in 10-second increments until chocolate can be stirred smooth.
  12. Using a spoon (or pastry bag or ziptop bag with corner cut off if you want to be fancier but I didn’t bother), evenly drizzle the chocolate in long vertical lines, parallel to each other, spaced about 1/2-inch apart. Pie doesn’t have to be cooled to add the chocolate drizzle.
  13. Allow pie to continue to cool on wire rack for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before slicing and serving. Don’t slice too early because chocolate drizzle needs to set and interior of pie needs to firm up or you’ll have a literal hot mess. Pie is best fresh, but will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I store it by slicing into small wedges, wrapping each wedge individually in plastic wrap, and putting those in a large zip-top bag.