Happy, glorious Sunday to my #friendsofTenaciousM!!

May21
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.

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
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.
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!





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.