Wow, it’s so great to be home after a few weeks. Happy Sunday #friendsofTenaciousM!
May7
Tag Archives: TenaciousM
May4
Dark Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes
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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
Apr30
Gathering of Nations 2017 #mylens
I was fortunate to be working in New Mexico during the 2017 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque last weekend. I love the culture and history that has endured proudly for generations. My first Pow Wow!! The colors are just breathtaking and glorious. Dancers ranged from the smallest kids to the gracefully aged. Here is just a sample of their beauty!
Apr30
Sunday Reflections
Another amazing week is ahead! Happy Sunday to you all!!
Apr29
Somewhere Over the Desert #mylens
Aerial views over Nevada and California.
Apr22
A Tribe Called Watermelon
Sometimes I wonder why Marketing is my career purpose. I do love the work, but I can’t deny that my desire for perfection often gets in the way of what’s practical. There lies the rub! Over the past few days I partnered with other marketing professionals from around the country to learn, grow and share best practices. The experiences changed us all.
In our quest to be better at our work, I believe we became better people. This doesn’t always happen, but lightening did strike and an amazing bond was formed. A tribe we dubbed “Watermelon” was born from an idea that when we need each other, we’d use the code word: “Watermelon”. And whether we work together for weeks or years, it’s great to remember that work is just a catalyst to life. Here’s to my newest #friendsofTenaciousM!!
Apr12
Chocolate Toffee Matzah Crunch
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!
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.
Apr9
Happy Psalm Sunday 2017
Have an amazing day!
Apr5
The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake
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?
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
- In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results
- Add in cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
- 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.
Egos & Buffaloes 