Ancho Chile Brownies
Most brownies have roughly the same ingredients: chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs and flour. By adding the ancho chile I added a unique flavor that you get at the end of eating the brownie. It really is good. Give it a try and see what you think.
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup Butter
1 Cup Sugar
3 Squares Unsweetened Chocolate
1 Beaten Egg
1/2 Cup Flour
3 Teaspoons Ancho Chile Powder
Preheat your oven to 350º F. Grease and flour an 8 inch square baking pan. Place the butter and chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Over simmering water melt the butter and the chocolate. Stir in the sugar until incorporated and then remove from the heat and cool. When the chocolate mixture is cool whisk in the egg until it is just incorporated. Mix in the flour and the ancho chile powder. Make sure not to overmix. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. The middle should look a bit soft. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan. Cut into squares and serve. Makes approximately 2 dozen.
Super Chunk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Unless you are allergic or hate chocolate then you will fall in love with these cookies. Try to eat just one! For the broken pieces of dark chocolate take a large dark chocolate bar and break into pieces.
INGREDIENTS
2 1/4 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Softened Butter
3/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs
2 Cups Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Broken Pieces Dark Chocolate
Preheat your oven to 375º F. In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking soda and kosher salt. In a large size bowl beat the butter, with an electric mixer, until nice and creamy. Add the sugar, dark brown sugar and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Slowly beat in the flour mixture and mix for 1 minute. Stir in the chocolate chips and broken dark chocolate pieces, Drop by rounded tablespoon onto parchment paper lined baking sheets. Bake for 11 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies
Root Beer Chocolate Chip Cookies
I created these cookies last night because I wanted to make a different type of chocolate chip cookie. Rolling the cookie dough in sugar before baking really gives them something extra.
INGREDIENTS
2 1/4 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Softened Butter
3/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
4 Tablespoons Root Beer Extract
3 Eggs
2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Preheat your oven to 350º F. In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In another medium size bowl beat the butter and sugars on medium speed for 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and root beer extracts. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix on low for 2 minutes. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Place in the fridge for 1 hour. Remove from the fridge when you are ready to bake. Scoop by the tablespoon and roll into a bowl of sugar. Drop onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until done. Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Make this excellent treat for Halloween today! If you are fan of peanut butter and chocolate then you and your little goblins will surely love my No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars.
INGREDIENTS
10 Tablespoons Softened Butter
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Unbleached Flour
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
8 Ounces Coarsely Chopped Semi-Sweet Chocolate
Line an 8inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a large size bowl beat together the peanut butter, butter, kosher salt, flour and powdered sugar. Beat for 4 minutes while stopping to scrape down the sides occasionally. Spread the mixture into the baking pan and press down to spread evenly as well as compacting it. In a double boiler melt the chocolate. If you don’t have a double boiler then bring a pot of water to a simmer and place the chocolate into a heatproof bowl. Put the bowl over the pot of simmering water and cook until the chocolate is completely melted. Pour the chocolate into the pan over the peanut butter mixture and spread evenly. Let cool to room temperature and then put into the fridge for 2 hours. Remove from the fridge and cut into bars. Makes 18 bars.
Hurricane Fudge
Today is the perfect day to make fudge that is if you still have power. Since most of us are stuck inside these next couple of days while Hurricane Sandy makes her way through our communities why not try out this easy fudge recipe. Hunker down and eat fudge!
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups Sugar
2/3 Cup Evaporated Milk
12 Regular Size Marshmallows
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
8 Ounces Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Chopped Nuts – Optional
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Prepare an 8×8 inch pan by greasing with butter. Set aside. In a large size saucepan combine the sugar, evaporated milk, marshmallows, butter and salt. Cook over a medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture is bubbly. Boil and stir for 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips. Stir until completely melted. Add the chopped nuts, if you are using nuts, and the vanilla. Spread into the greased pan and place in the fridge for 5 hours. Remove from the fridge and cut into squares. Makes about 2 dozen pieces of fudge.
Chocolate Cupcakes
If you’re going to a Halloween party this weekend and need to bring a dessert here is a great portable dessert that everyone will love. Even after Halloween these cupcakes are an excellent “go to” dessert for home or potlucks.
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups Unbleached Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Water
8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
4 Ounces Chopped Unsweetened Chocolate
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs
Frosting
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large size bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt. Set aside. In a medium size saucepan combine the sugar and water and cook over a medium high heat until the sugar and water are dissolved. Add the chocolate and butter to the sugar mixture. As soon as the chocolate melts add the vanilla and turn off the heat. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and beat on medium with a mixer for 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time to the mixture and beat for 30 seconds after each egg. Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture 1/2 cup at a time making sure to thoroughly combine. Line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners of your choice. If it is Halloween use Halloween themed liners. Pour the batter 3/4 of the way into the cupcake liners. Place the cupcake pan on the middle rack of your oven and bake for 14 minutes. Make sure not to overcook the cupcakes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing the cupcakes from the pan. Remove the cupcakes and cool completely before frosting. Frost and decorate if you like. Makes 12
Frosting
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Softened Unsalted Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
5 Cups Powdered Sugar
4 Tablespoons Half & Half or Whole Milk
In a large size bowl place the shortening and butter. Beat on medium for 1 minute with a mixer. Add the vanilla and continue to mix. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time while beating on low. After adding the cups of sugar drizzle a bit of the half & half or whole milk. Continue alternating the powdered sugar and half & half until the texture becomes fluffy. You may not need all of the powdered sugar. Frost your cupcakes and refrigerate any leftover frosting.
Double Dutch Brownies
Melted chocolate and chocolate chips make these Double Dutch Brownies doubly delicious. They are a real treat!
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2/3 Cups Butter
1/4 Cup Water
4 Cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips – Divided
4 Eggs
3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 Cups Unbleached Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Chocolate Frosting (Optional)
Preheat your oven to 325° F. In a large size heavy saucepan combine the sugar, butter and water. Bring to a boil and stir constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups of chocolate chips. Cook until the chocolate chips have melted. Set aside. In a large size bowl mix together the eggs and vanilla extract. Slowly pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. In another large size bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture. Add the remaining chocolate chips. Grease a 13×9 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. When cooled either frost with chocolate frosting or just cut into squares. YUM!! Makes 3 dozen
Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
I don’t know one person who can resist this weekend morning cake.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
3/4 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
2 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Softened Butter
2 Eggs
8 Ounces Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Prepare a Large glass baking pan (13x9x2) by greasing it with butter or olive oil. In a medium size bowl combine the nuts, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. This is for the filling. Set aside. In a small size bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large size bowl combine 1 cup of the sugar and butter. Beat with an electric mixer on a medium speed for 1 minute. Add the eggs and beat for another minute. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat for 30 seconds. Add the flour mixture and beat for 1 minute. The batter will be thick, but the consistency should be smooth. Remove 1 cup of the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Distribute the filling over the top of the batter. Finally spoon the 1 cup of reserved batter over the filling in small mounds. Bake for 55 minutes until done. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before serving. Serves 8
Victoria’s Chocolate Cake
I have a real hankering for good old fashioned chocolate cake. It doesn’t take long to make and is super yummy. Everyone will be singing your praises if you decide to give this recipe a spin.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 Cups Unbleached Flour
3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Cup Sugar
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
3/4 Cup Buttermilk (you can use sour milk)
3/4 cup Melted Butter
3 Eggs
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 inch cake pan and set aside. Sift the flour and then mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl. Melt butter and add to dry ingredients. Next add eggs and buttermilk to dry ingredients. Mix everything together until smooth with an electric mixer. Pour into pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. When done remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. After the cake has cooled, slice cake in half to make 2 layers. It is easier to slice if the cake has been refrigerated for a couple of hours. Frost with Chocolate Butter Frosting. Use 1/3 of the frosting between the two layers, 1/3 on top and the rest around the cake. Victoria's Chocolate Cake should be served at room temperature. Serves 12
**To Make Sour Milk: 3/4 cup of milk and add either two tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit for five to ten minutes
Chocolate Butter Frosting
3/4 Cup Softened Butter (1 1/2 Sticks)
2 Cups Confectioners’ Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
4 Squares (4 ounces) Semisweet Chocolate – Melted & Cooled
2 Squares (2 ounces) Unsweetened Chocolate – Melted & Cooled
In a large bowl, with a mixer at low speed, combine butter, vanilla and confectioners’ sugar. Mix until almost combined. Next add the semisweet and unsweetened chocolates. Increase the speed to high, beat frosting until light and fluffy which should be for about one minute. Makes about 2 1/2 cups
July 4th S’Mores
The first published recipe for S’Mores is attributed to Loretta Scott Crew whose recipe appeared in 1927’s Tramping and Trailing With The Girl Scouts. Graham crackers with melted marshmallows and chocolate prepared over a campfire, this camping favorite is great for our nation’s birthday! Since 1927 there have been many variations of the famed S’More.
INGREDIENTS
4 Large Marshmallows
4 Graham Crackers
4 (1.5 Ounce) Chocolate Bar
Heat the marshmallows over an open fire until they begin to brown and melt. Careful not to burn them. Break the graham crackers in half. Place the chocolate bars between the graham crackers and the hot marshmallows. Let the marshmallows cool a bit before eating so that you don’t burn your mouth.
Makes 4 S’Mores.
Here are some inventive variations that you might want to try. Use shortbread cookies instead of graham crackers. Use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead of chocolate bars. Use chocolate graham crackers instead of regular graham crackers and marshmallow fluff instead of toasted marshmallows. How about using dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate and a bit of blackberry preserves on your graham crackers? Or try using Nutella instead of chocolate. Throw on some raspberries while you’re at it.
OR you could make a S’Mores Milkshake.
Broil 8 marshmallows and turn until both sides are brown. In a food processor or mixer blend 1 pint of chocolate ice cream, 3/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt and 6 of the toasted marshmallows. Top with crushed graham crackers and the 2 remaining toasted marshmallows. Makes 2 milkshakes.
