Cakes · Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Uncategorized

Caramel Chocolate Chocolate Chip # Cake

Made this cake for a friend this week and it was such a hit. Several friends have ask for the recipe when they saw the picture on FB so here it is. It is easy and so yummy. Also, a friend of mine told me the other day that she didn’t understand how my cupcakes were always so soft and moist. The secret is, keep them in the refrigerator (covered) until about an hour before serving them.

1 Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge cake mix
1 small package instant vanilla or cheesecake flavored pudding mix
4 eggs at room temperature
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips. Beat on high for 2 minutes and then stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into greased and sugared bundt pan. (yes, I use sugar instead of flour for pound cakes, as it adds a nice crunchy texture to the outside of the cake)
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven until cake tests done. I take it out when there is still little shine to the top of the cake. IT will continue to “bake” for a few minutes after removing from oven, so that way, the chocolate cake doesn’t get to dry.

When cool, turn upside down and remove the cake from the pan onto a serving platter.

Using a good brand of caramel ice cream topping, place about 1/2 cup of caramel in the microwave oven for about 12 seconds. Drizzle the caramel over the cake. Then when it has set for a few minutes, Drizzle some of the chocolate frosting glaze over the cake in-between the caramel drizzles. Sprinkle more chocolate chips if desired onto the top of the cake.
Any left over caramel and chelate frosting can be poured in to the center of the cake so that will give you more yumminess when you cut the slices to pour over each serving of cake.

Chocolate Drizzle
1/4 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup whipping cream or milk (add gradually as you might not need all of this)
1 teas vanilla

Add all ingredients together and beat on high until no more lumps from the powdered sugar remain. Add the whipping cream or milk gradually until texture is a good consistency to drizzle over the cake. If desired, you can put into microwave after you have mixed all ingredients together, for about 10 seconds to thin and make it easier to drizzle over and downs the sides of the cake.

Cakes · Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Fruit · Uncategorized

Nutella Filled Cupcakes With Raspberry Frosting

1 Duncan Hines chocolate fudge cake mix
1 small package of chocolate instant pudding mix
4 eggs at room temperature
1/2 cup veggie oil
1 1/4 cup water
Mix all ingredients together and beat for 2 min on high, Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Fill each liner about half full. ( I use a large cookie scoop to fill them… so much easier to make them exactly same size and less messy)
Bake until cupcakes are done. Be careful to take them out when there is still a little shine left on top. Chocolate is so easy to be dry so you want to take them out before top looks a dull chocolate color. Cool completely. Repeat until all batter us used.
When cool, using an cupcake corer (under $2 at Walmart, will post picture), make a hole in the center of each cupcake. Fill each hole with Nutella. Set aside.

Frosting
1 box (3 1/2 cups) powdered sugar
1 stick (8 oz) butter at room temperature
Milk or whipping cream to thin frosting (about 1/3 cup)
3 tables raspberry preserves
1 teas raspberry extract

Beat all frosting ingredients together adding milk or cream till frosting is a good consistency to spread over filled cupcakes.

Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Uncategorized

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Bars

One of the things I have missed most about curbside grocery pick up is just the great time of strolling the baking aisle and seeing any new products on the shelf. Monday when I braved the “social distancing while wearing a mask” time of going inside the store, I had a ball. When I saw this box, I knew it was mine.

Oh the things I can now make, even though I can’t fit into any of the clothes I have now, the recipes just came flooding in. German Chocolate Fudge pie, Chocolate Almond Ice Box pie. Peanut butter pie with chocolate crust. And the beat (list) goes on. When I turned over the box to look at the recipes on the back, this recipe jumped out to me. So here it is folks. Be the first to share this with anyone who you like (or maybe those who you don’t like but am trying so hard to do so). This sounds like a treat that the whole family will enjoy. And to think, you saw it here first.

Crust:
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tables granulated sugar
2 cups Keebler Chocolate graham cracker crumbs
1 egg white

Filling:
2 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 teas milk or whipping cream

Topping:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup whipping cream

1. Line an 8x8x2 inch baking pan with foil, allowing excess foil to hang over sides.
2. For crust, in medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup peanut butter and sugar. Stir in Keebler Chocolate Graham Cracker Crumbs and egg white. Firmly press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake in preheated 375 oven for 10-13 minutes or until dry. Cool Completely.
3. For filling, in a large mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, 2/3 cup peanut butter and 1/2 cup softened butter. Beat on medium to high speed of electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in milk, 1 teas at a time, until light and fluffy. Spoon in dollops over crust. Evenly spread over crust.
4. For topping, in small microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and cream. Microwave uncovered for 30 to 60 seconds, or until smooth. Stirring thoroughly every 20 seconds. Let stand for 10 minutes after stirring to be sure all chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
5. Spread over filling and the cover and place in fridge at least 1 hour or until firm. Use foil ends to remove from pan. Cut into squares and keep covered in the refrigerator.

Cakes · Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Fruit · Holiday Fare · Uncategorized

CHEWY CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CAKE

 

 

This recipe is taken from a Taste of Home Magazine in the Easter Edition. 

Sprinkle fresh raspberries around the cake platter and have a bowl of fresh whipping cream sitting beside this wonderful cake and oh my, the compliments you will receive!

3 Cups sugar

3/4 lb melted butter

4 eggs

1 tables vanilla

1 tables almond extract

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 teas salt

1/4 cup raspberry jam

1 cup miniature chocolate chips

3/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 300.

Mix the sugar and butter in a mixing bowl on low.

Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add the extracts. Sift together dry ingredients and add to the batter, mixing until smooth. Pour into greased and papered 9” cake pan, reserving about 1/3 of the batter.

Carefully smooth out a thin layer of the raspberry jam. Top with chocolate chips and half the sliced almonds. Carefully cover with the remaining batter.

Sprinkle the top of the cake with the remaining sliced almonds.

Bake for 1 hour and almost 45  minutes or more to be sure cake is done when knife inserted in center comes out with just a few crumbs on it. 

Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Uncategorized

Chocolate Fudge Pie

Today, another rainy beginning to this new normal of everyone working from home and kids being home schooled as well as parents trying to teach, and learn right along with them, while still trying to do what is necessary to bring in a pay check. These are difficult days, and challenging times when we all have to step up and change what we have been doing. What do we do to still serve when so many are confined to their homes? This week, when we began to hear about seniors being ask to self quarantine, I began to think of ways that I could help serve them.  What should be my part in stepping out of my comfort zone to share God’s love by meeting the needs of those who are seniors? As I was sharing these thoughts with Randy the other night, he watched me and listened to what I had to say. Then without a moments hesitation, the minute I ask him what he thought I should do, he smiled at me and said, “uh do you realize that in a couple of months you will be 70 and you are suppose to be one of those who are to self quarantine for awhile?” WHAT……but, wait a minute. That thought never crossed my mind that I am considered old. When did that happen? Quickly I responded to him, that because I eat garlic almost everyday and enough chocolate to ward off most bacterias, I should be able to hang a garlic bulb around my neck and get out there among the true old folks. Why I’m still young because I  still wear cute little blingy sandals and capris (even though these cute little capris might have elastic waistbands) and wear loop earrings that could easily be mistaken for “tapers”. And….I teach other people how to use their phones. So truly, I can’t be considered someone who needs to stay at home…? But because so many stores and restaurants are closed down, I haven been forced to spend more time at home than normal. It is allowing me time to work on another book, which will be called Tis So Sweet and is full of dessert recipes and stories of women who are willing to share how God has been faithful in difficult circumstances in their lives. Also, I have been baking a little more than normal, which means that instead of making a dessert each day, I’m now making two or three. It is fun to share food with others. Last night I made up a recipe that actually turned out really good. Was so easy and simple and I had everything on hand so no trip to the store was necessary. It was a baked chocolate fudge pie that we ate watching a really good movie on Netflix.  That is Randy’s job each night. To find us a good movie that is fun to watch and family friendly so that we can recommend to others without fear of it being full of foul language or sexual content. So far, he is batting a thousand. Two for two. Tues night we watched Faith, Hope and Love and last night we enjoyed a little french film called French Toast.  Darling movie. Here is the easy peasy recipe for a great chocolate fudge pie for you to up your immune system…at least that is what I tell myself when I am cutting a big piece and topping it with whipped cream.

1 bought chocolate oreo cookie crust

1 bar (4 oz) of semi sweet baking squres

1 stick (8 oz) unsalted butter

1 teas vanilla

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Melt the chocolate with the butter over low heat. When butter and chocolate are melted, remove from heat and stir in the can of milk. Set aside. In a medium bowl, stir the sugar, eggs, and flour together until smooth. Add the cooled chocolate and vanilla. Stir in the pecans and coconut and pour into the pie shell. The pie shell won’t hold all of this. With the left over mixture, I placed two chocolate chip cookies in the bottom of a small loaf pan and poured the rest of the mixture over them and baked them right along with the pie.  Bake in preheated 350 oven until knife inserted comes out clean. Cool and top with whipped cream.

Keep covered in fridge. Was even better the second night.

Breads · Chocolate · Cookies · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Holiday Fare · Uncategorized

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Biscotti

This morning, I was looking for another recipe to take to a gathering this afternoon. Rodelle Brownies (they are already posted on the blog) was already in the oven to take, but I wanted something else and since we received a little rain and dark skies this morning, it seemed appropriate that something pumpkin should be made. I googled Pumpkin Biscotti and this recipe sounded just perfect. It turned out great and was so easy. Have enough pumpkin puree left to make another batch and place in the freezer for next weekend when I can take it to a tea.

4 tables softened butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teas pumpkin pie spice
3/4 teas ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teas baking powder
1/2 teas salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 cups flour
2/3 cup chocolate chips (when the stores begin to get in the cinnamon flavored chips, I will use those instead)
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
Sugar for topping

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or very lightly grease the baking sheet (about an 18″x13″ sheet)

In a medium size bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, spices, salt & baking powder until smooth.
Beat in the egg and pumpkin puree.
Putting the mixer on low speed, add the flour, incorporating until mixed well.
Add the finely crushed pistachios and chocolate chips to the batter and stir them in well.
Mixture will be sticky.

Divide dough into 2 halves and place on baking sheet. With a little flour on your hands, shape each half into a football shaped log. About 1/2 -2/3″ thick.
Sprinkle a little sugar over the top of each half and place in preheated oven for about 25 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce oven temp to 325. Let biscotti stand for about 5 minutes then using a serrated knife, cut biscotti into 1/2″ to 3/4″ slices diagonally and place each slice down flat on one side. Return to oven and leave in about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, turn over each slice and bake again for about 10 mins. Turn oven completely off, leaving the door ajar and leave the biscotti in to cool completely in oven.
Biscotti can be frozen after completely cooled or stored in airtight container for about 4-5 days.

*taken from King Author Flour recipes

Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Holiday Fare · Uncategorized

Chocolate Pumpkin Magic Cake

Last year when I posted this, it was after eating it at a gathering at church. It came across my FaceBook memory yesterday and am so glad it did. It is now in the oven and will be devoured within 24 hours. The kids are coming to dinner tomorrow evening so we will have to “test” it tonight just to be sure it is still as good as we remember. Would not want to serve them something that is not top notch. If you didn’t make this last year, do yourself a favor and make it this year. You will be so thankful you did. It is so so good. The combination of pumpkin and chocolate with French Vanilla pudding frosting is scrumptious.

Mix a Duncan Hines Devils Food chocolate cake mix according to directions and pour into a 9×13″ baking dish. Do not bake until pumpkin layer is on it.

Pumpking Layer
1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 heaping teas pumpkin pie spice
1 cup packed light brown sugar

Mix and whisk until well combined. Pour slowly over chocolate cake mix. Bake in preheated 350 oven for about 50-55 min or until no longer jiggly in the middle and toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely at room temperature.

Frosting

1 (4 oz) size box French Vanilla Instant pudding mix
1 cup cold milk
8 oz container Cool Whip
4-5 gingersnap cookies, crushed for sprinkling on top (opt)

Mix the milk and the pudding until thick. With mixer on low speed, mix in thawed Cool Whip. When thoroughly mixed, spread over top of the cooled cake and place, covered in fridge until ready to serve. Sprinkle the gingersnaps over the top, if desired.

*Recipe taken from Pinterest Wash You Dry

Cakes · Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Holiday Fare · Uncategorized

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Cake

It was so much fun to make up a recipe today for our friends coming over tonight from church. I have always wanted to try this and I figured before my first heart attack or before all the butter and cream cheese went to my head and caused dementia, I needed to do this. Just finished putting the final touches on it and I can’t wait until we cut it tonight. Randy and I have set a new world record this week for us. Do not ask me why, but we have not had dessert in 4 nights. I do not count the Hershey with Almonds bar I ate last night as dessert. and..he doesn’t count scraping out the last of the Blue Bell Pumpkin Spice Ice cream out of the container as dessert. Those are just things that we eat to clean up the freezer and cabinets.
So tonight, we have real dessert. If we like it as much as i think we will, it will certainly go on our dessert buffet table for Christmas. Hum…after I just wrote that last sentence I started to remember all the desserts I have said that about over the years. It might be time to buy a larger buffet table. But here is the recipe for the cake which we will unveil tonight to our study group of 12…if there is any left over, Randy and I will finish it off tomorrow night until we make a real dessert….remember, leftovers do not count as real dessert….yes, I live in an fantasy world!

Duncan Hines Devils Food Chocolate cake mix, made according to directions on box for 2- 9″ round cake layers. (I added 1 teas almond extract to batter)
Bake as directed and cool.

For the cream cheese layer:
1 (9′) round cake pan sprayed with Pam

1 8 oz softened cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teas vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream

Mix all ingredients until well combined. Pour cream cheese mixture into the prepared 9″ pan and bake at 350 until cheesecake is done…about 20-25 minutes or until knife comes out clean in the middle. Cool and then remove from pan onto a piece of waxed paper.

Frosting:

2 sticks (1 cup) softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup cocoa
2 teas vanilla
enough whipping cream or milk to make mixture spreadable (about 1/3 cup, but add by tablespoons until it is of right consistency after doing the 1/3 cup)
5 cups powdered sugar

Melt butter with cocoa. Stir to combine and add powdered sugar and beat until smooth with the milk or whipping cream. Add the vanilla and mix until all is smooth and fluffy.

Place one layer of the chocolate cake on serving platter. Using 2/3 cup of the frosting, frost the top of this layer. Place cream cheese layer on top and frost it with another 1/3 of the frosting. Place 2ned layer of the chocolate cake on top of cheesecake layer. Frost sides and top of cake with remaining frosting.

Decorate with Chocolate Covered Cherries and chocolate chips.

Chocolate · Daily Thoughts · Desserts · Uncategorized

Butterfinger Lush

Last night we were invited to some friends who live across the street from us to play cards. Patti had just returned from Texas and while there she ate this amazing dessert at their kids house. She made it for us last night and oh my gosh, it was some of the best dessert I have ever had. You need to believe me when I say that this layered dessert is a winner. Thanks Patti for sharing it with us last night and then sharing the recipe today. Wasn’t even mad that you beat me at cards after having some of this great dish.

Ingredients:
32 Oreo cookies (finely crushed)
5 tables butter, melted
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 bag mini Butterfingers
1 (16 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed and divided
1 (5.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk

1. In a medium bowl, stir together crushed Oreo cookies and butter. Press firmly all along the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Place in fridge.
2. Using electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Beat in peanut butter. Fold in 1 cup of the Cool Whip. Crush 6 Mini Butterfingers and fold them into the peanut butter mixture.
3. Spread peanut butter mixture evenly over the Oreo crust.
4. In medium bowl, whisk the pudding mix and cold milk together until thickened. Let sit to thicken for a minute or two and then pour over peanut butter mixture.
5.Spread remaining Cool Whip on top. Crusty remaining Butterfingers and sprinkle over top. Place in fridge until ready to serve.