2 Easy Basic Brownie Recipes

From Denny: With all the fancy brownies these days, adorned with several layers of everything but the kitchen sink, sometimes it's good to get back to basics. In my mind, it's all about the chocolate! :)

Brownies are nothing but a simple basic blend of sugar, flour, eggs, chocolate and butter or oil. I've enjoyed every brownie I've ever tasted that was home made and not from a box or commercial - unless it came from a small business bakery and those are usually nothing short of divine!

There are so many textures of brownie to choose: dense and fudge-like because it is undercooked and intensifies the chocolate flavor and then there's the original simple cake-to-cookie-like version but softer. Then there's the argument about whether to include nuts. We like pecans in our house; I like roasted chopped almonds as to my taste it is the perfect combination with anything chocolate. My friends like their brownies with walnuts.

Another variation is to frost your brownie with conventional buttercream frosting like you would adorn a cake or powdered sugar. Cream cheese frosting is a huge hit and the only frosting I prefer when I'm not dusting those delectable brownies with powdered sugar. I just love the look of expresso brown against the bright white of the sugar, very appetizing - and you can even make designs if you like with the sugar.

Brownies really have evolved over the years into culinary monstrosities that are great fun: many have two and three layers, are stuffed full of more nuts than batter, unusual fruit combinations like mango and lychee, coffee, green tea or herbs like peppermint added. Historical Brownie Trivia: The old hippie culture used to make cake brownies with dried marijuana added. That must have been some wild experience!

These two recipes are back to basics, especially good for beginner cooks. Once you know the basic simple recipe it's easy to branch off from there to put your own mark on the recipe. One recipe is set up for a larger batch for those football parties this time of year. They go fast so you might want to make a second large batch to save for you and your family! I'm all for a secret stash of chocolate... :)

Mom’s Chocolate Fudge Brownies

From: “Extra! Extra! Read All About It!” by Corinne Cook @ 2theadvocate.com

Makes: 16 brownies

Ingredients:

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
3 tbls. cocoa
1 cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Chocolate-Pecan Frosting (recipe follows)

Directions:

1. Prepare pan by lining 8x8-inch baking pan with foil. I let the ends lap over the sides to be able to lift the brownies from the pan for cutting. Spray inside of pan with nonstick coating.

2. Melt butter. (I do this in the microwave.) Set aside.

3. In separate bowl, whisk sugar, cocoa and flour together. Whisk in the melted butter, eggs and vanilla. Stir until blended together. Add the nuts. Stir, then pour into prepared pan.

4. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Chocolate-Pecan Frosting

Ingredients:

1 (1-oz.) square unsweetened chocolate
1 tbl. butter or margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbls. whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or some prefer walnuts)

Directions:

1. In heavy saucepan, melt chocolate and butter together over low heat. Stir until smooth.

2. Remove from heat and quickly stir in powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and pecans until blended. Spread over top of warm brownies and allow to cool thoroughly before cutting.

***

Big-Batch Brownies

From: Corinne Cook

Makes: about 24-26 pieces

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter (1-1/2 sticks)
6 tbls. cocoa
2 cups sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Ice cream, optional OR dust with sifted powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare pan by lightly greasing and flouring a 9x13-inch pan, OR line pan with foil and spray with nonstick coating.

2. In large saucepan, melt butter and cocoa together over medium-low heat. When melted, stir in sugar, stir and remove from heat.

3. In separate mixing bowl combine beaten eggs, flour, vanilla, nuts and reserved chocolate/butter mixture. Stir until just well combined. Pour into prepared pan.

4. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for about 23-25 minutes. When cooled, cut into 2-inch squares.

5. Serve with small scoop of ice cream or a sifting of powdered sugar.

Recipe: Simple Easy Chocolate Coconut Krispies, Plus Vegan Recipe

This is a S'Mores version, cool! Image by e.marie via Flickr

From Denny: People are always searching for a recipe of a food they fondly remember from childhood - and Rice Krispie bar cookie recipes are often a favorite! When this was featured in our local newspaper recently (no photo) I just had to include it here. What's perfect about this simple easy recipe is that it's perfect for this holiday weekend of Labor Day. You can make and take it any where easily, enjoy!

From: Susan Filopowicz

Yield: 12 muffin-size or 24 minimuffin-size servings.

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons butter

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 (10-ounce) bag marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

2-1/2 cups shredded coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1-1/2 teaspoons water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

Directions:

1. Melt butter, 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate and marshmallows. Combine and add Rice Krispies and cool.

2. Spray palms of hands with cooking spray and while mixture is still warm press the mixture up to 1/2 full of the minimuffin cups or regular cupcake tins.

3. In a medium glass bowl, stir coconut with 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk. Microwave 1 minute on high. Stir and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer. Remove and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to cool slightly. While warm, pour over the crispy mixture to the top.

4. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate and 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave for 30 more seconds. Add water and vanilla and drizzle over each crispy cup and top with several slivered almonds.

***

Vegan version of Rice Krispie treats Image by Jocelyn | McAuliflower via Flickr

Now here's another version of a Rice Krispie treat, vegan style from Jocely McAuliflower @ Brownie Points Blog.

Chocolate GORP Rice Crispy Treats

GORP: Good Old Raisins and Peanuts

Lightly oil an 8″ x 8″ baking pan and set aside.

Combine in a sauce pan:

light corn syrup, 1/2 cup

light brown sugar, 1/4 cup packed

1/4 teaspoon salt

Bring to a full boil and remove from the heat.

Stir in:

peanut butter butter (or any favorite nut butter), 1 cup
(Warming the peanut butter jar in the microwave makes the 1 cup easier to scoop out.)

vanilla, 1 teaspoon

crisp puffed rice cereal, 3 cups

With oiled hands, press the mixture firmly into the buttered 8″ x 8″ pan.

Directions:

Sprinkle the top with chopped raisins and enough grated or finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate to cover the entire pan, making sure to get the chocolate in the corners, as well as thick enough to form a layer. As I was working with a large block of chocolate and free-form with the raisins, I don’t quite remember the quantities required. A four ounce chocolate bar and 1/2 cup of raisins are a good place to start.

Using a blow torch (or a brief visit to the broiler), melt out the chocolate layer to help adhere the raisins.

This cuts best before the chocolate has completely hardened.


Thanks for visiting this blog and subscribing! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Recipe: Easy Black Russian Cake

From Denny: Want an easy impressive cake to make for your gathering? Want to try a new recipe for the upcoming holidays? This one is too easy as you can use a cake mix. You might want to keep this lush cake for adults only! :) For variations try it out with a devils food cake mix or even a German chocolate!

From: Marion “Mike” Bristol

Serves: 12 - She usually serves it with whipped cream.

Ingredients:

1 box basic yellow cake mix (without pudding)

1/4 cup, plus 3 Tablespoons, Kahlúa liqueur (or coffee), divided

1/4 cup vodka

1 small (3.9 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding

4 eggs

1 cup oil (canola oil is great for a neutral taste)

3/4 cup water

1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. In an electric mixer, mix all ingredients except the 3 tablespoons of Kahlúa and the chopped pecans for 2 minutes at medium speed.

2. Spray or grease a Bundt pan with shortening.

3. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Pour batter over nuts.

4. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes if pan has a dark, non-stick interior.

5. Remove cake and put on a cooling rack for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour remaining 3 tablespoons of Kahlúa over cake while still warm. After cake is cooled, turn over onto a plate or cake stand.

6. Serve with whipped cream, if desired. Cover cake with plastic wrap to keep moist.

Note: Devil’s food or chocolate cake mix can be substituted for the yellow cake mix.

Recipe: You Can Have Your Chocolate Mousse AND a Flat Belly Too!

*** Available from My Amazon store, Romancing The Chocolate Store in the banner up above or click on this link here, reduced price for $15.57 that qualifies for free shipping too, go here.

From Denny: Hurricane Bill has been busy in the Atlantic Ocean bringing a deluge of rain to Louisiana this afternoon, delaying my posting. With that much lightning I turn off the computer and wait... and wait... :)

While searching for a great or unusual chocolate recipe I ran across this one from the morning show from NBC called The Today Show. There's a new cookbook out to help you keep or re-acquire, whichever the case may be, that flat belly. But what to do? Give up our beloved chocolate? I don't think so say millions of women worldwide! :)

I once had a really good tofu chocolate mousse as it tasted great and didn't have as much oil to make it as rich as the original recipes do. Now I've run across another version we all just have to try! Take a look as it's simple, fast and easy.

From: Flat Belly Diet Cookbook

Serves: 4

Time: 10 minutes (now that's a winner in my book!)

From the author: As a garnish, pretty chocolate curls turn a humble fruit cup into a restaurant-worthy confection. Making them is as easy as drawing a vegetable peeler along the edge of a bar of chocolate. Use the short wide edge to make small tubular curls; use the longer, narrower edge for thinner, longer shavings.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces soft silken tofu, drained

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1\8 teaspoon almond extract

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted

• 1\2 cup fat-free Greek-style yogurt

Directions:

1. Place the tofu, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the chocolate and blend for 1 minute. Scrape the sides with a rubber spatula and blend for 1 minute longer or until incorporated. Pour into a large bowl.

2. Fold in the yogurt just until blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tips:

Note: For chocolate semifreddo, place the mixture in a 9" loaf pan lined with foil. Cover and freeze for 3 to 4 hours or until just set. Serve immediately.

Nutrition per serving: 271 calories, 11 g protein, 40 g carbohydrates, 18 g fat, 10 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 19 mg sodium, 4 g fiber.

*** Available from My Amazon store, Romancing The Chocolate Store in the banner up above or click on this link here, reduced price for $15.57 that qualifies for free shipping too, go here.

Have a great weekend, everyone, and thanks for visiting!


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Video: Bobby Flay's Fancy Food Finds

From Denny: I don't know how I missed this cool video discussing the latest food trends like, drumroll, pahleez! chocolate tortilla chips, yum! Chef Bobbly Flay, reporting on what he discovered at the Fancy Food Show, gives you some great ideas on how to pair or use as an ingredient many of these new trendy tasty snack chips.

"TV host and chef Bobby Flay showed off some of the great new foods featured during New York City's Fancy Food Show."


Watch CBS Videos Online

Bobby Flay, Fancy Food Show, New York City, food trends, chocolate

Recipe: Oreo Cookie and Chocolate Ice Cream Calypso Pie

Oreo Cookies Image: Ah, childhood pleasures of licking the filling off the cookie and then dunking it in a cold glass of milk... by penguincakes via Flickr

From Denny: Severe thunderstorms in my area today and had to stop posting for the day. Apologies for getting this out so late at night...

This recipe is quite the calorie buster and a definite show-off for the holidays or entertaining! It comes from the Southern Recipe Restoration Project that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is sponsoring. There are a lot of interesting easy recipes you can do with Oreo cookies and this cookie crust for this intriguing special pie is just one of many.

From: Ashley Leckey, a Tallahassee native and University of Georgia graduate who has lived in Atlanta since 2004. This recipe comes from her jack-of-all-trades grandmother, Cele Marcoux, who was an editor at a newspaper, had a line of luxury ties, worked in a dental lab and was even a nurse in the Army. Now that's job experience!

Marcoux often flavored this recipe with her own homemade liqueur and used the sauce recipes supplied below too.

Hands on time: 30 minutes
Total time: 3 hours
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), divided

18 Oreo cookies, crushed

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

1 quart coffee ice cream (or 1 quart vanilla bean ice cream plus coffee-flavored liqueur to taste; see link below to separate recipe)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

Melt 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter. Mix crushed cookies with melted butter; press into bottom and up sides of a 10-inch pie plate and chill.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and remaining butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and salt. Add the evaporated milk gradually, blending well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and almond extracts.

Set aside to cool to room temperature. When the shell is chilled and the sauce has cooled, set out the ice cream to soften slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Fill the pie shell with the ice cream. Put the pie in the freezer until ice cream is firm again.

In the meantime, beat the whipping cream until it just holds a peak. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar. Spread the fudge sauce over the ice cream layer, then mound the top with whipped cream and sprinkle with pecans. Store in the freezer until ready to serve. Remove and let sit a few minutes before slicing.

Nutrition:

Per serving: 482 calories (percent of calories from fat, 63), 5 grams protein, 42 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 35 grams fat (17 grams saturated), 72 milligrams cholesterol, 261 milligrams sodium.



Coffee-flavored Liqueur

Hands on time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Serves: Makes 1 gallon

Ingredients:

4 cups granulated sugar

6 1/2 cups water, divided

1 cup instant coffee

1 (375 milliliter) bottle 190-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear (some of us might prefer a better quality vodka)

2 vanilla beans

Directions:

In a saucepan, combine sugar and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil; simmer for 20 minutes. Cool. Meanwhile, mix instant coffee with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Cool. Combine both mixtures; add alcohol and remaining 2 cups water. Pour into four 16-ounce bottles and add 1/2 vanilla bean to each.

Nutrition:

Per ounce: 48 calories (no calories from fat), trace protein, 13 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, no fat, no cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium.



Copycat Chocolate Fudge Sauce

Hands on time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves: Makes 1 1/4 cups

Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 ounce unsweetened chocolate

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a heavy saucepan, stir together sugar and cocoa. Add milk and syrup and stir until blended. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil; continue stirring and boiling for 8 minutes. Remove from heat; add chocolate and butter and stir until melted, then add the cream. Return to the heat and boil an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool; store in the refrigerator in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. To serve, uncover and heat the jar in a saucepan of warm water for a few minutes (or in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds).

Nutrition:

Per tablespoon: 73 calories (percent of calories from fat, 45), trace protein, 9 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 4 grams fat (2 grams saturated), 9 milligrams cholesterol, 21 milligrams sodium.


Thanks for visiting Romancing The Chocolate!



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Video: 3 Favorite Family Easy Dessert Recipes

From Denny: The Today Show had hundreds of entries for this competition! They were looking for family recipes handed down through the generations and found some good ones that will appeal to a lot of people. These are also fast easy recipes, enjoy! Wait until you see the last one with chocolate, easiest one of all.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

desserts, dessert recipes, recipes, chocolate, baking and confections

Recipe: Oreo Cookie and Chocolate Ice Cream Calypso Pie

Oreo Cookies Image: Ah, childhood pleasures of licking the filling off the cookie and then dunking it in a cold glass of milk... by penguincakes via Flickr

From Denny: Severe thunderstorms in my area today and had to stop posting for the day. Apologies for getting this out so late at night...

This recipe is quite the calorie buster and a definite show-off for the holidays or entertaining! It comes from the Southern Recipe Restoration Project that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is sponsoring. There are a lot of interesting easy recipes you can do with Oreo cookies and this cookie crust for this intriguing special pie is just one of many.

From: Ashley Leckey, a Tallahassee native and University of Georgia graduate who has lived in Atlanta since 2004. This recipe comes from her jack-of-all-trades grandmother, Cele Marcoux, who was an editor at a newspaper, had a line of luxury ties, worked in a dental lab and was even a nurse in the Army. Now that's job experience!

Marcoux often flavored this recipe with her own homemade liqueur and used the sauce recipes supplied below too.

Hands on time: 30 minutes
Total time: 3 hours
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), divided

18 Oreo cookies, crushed

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

1 quart coffee ice cream (or 1 quart vanilla bean ice cream plus coffee-flavored liqueur to taste; see link below to separate recipe)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

Melt 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter. Mix crushed cookies with melted butter; press into bottom and up sides of a 10-inch pie plate and chill.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and remaining butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and salt. Add the evaporated milk gradually, blending well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and almond extracts.

Set aside to cool to room temperature. When the shell is chilled and the sauce has cooled, set out the ice cream to soften slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Fill the pie shell with the ice cream. Put the pie in the freezer until ice cream is firm again.

In the meantime, beat the whipping cream until it just holds a peak. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar. Spread the fudge sauce over the ice cream layer, then mound the top with whipped cream and sprinkle with pecans. Store in the freezer until ready to serve. Remove and let sit a few minutes before slicing.

Nutrition:

Per serving: 482 calories (percent of calories from fat, 63), 5 grams protein, 42 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 35 grams fat (17 grams saturated), 72 milligrams cholesterol, 261 milligrams sodium.



Coffee-flavored Liqueur

Hands on time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Serves: Makes 1 gallon

Ingredients:

4 cups granulated sugar

6 1/2 cups water, divided

1 cup instant coffee

1 (375 milliliter) bottle 190-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear (some of us might prefer a better quality vodka)

2 vanilla beans

Directions:

In a saucepan, combine sugar and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil; simmer for 20 minutes. Cool. Meanwhile, mix instant coffee with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Cool. Combine both mixtures; add alcohol and remaining 2 cups water. Pour into four 16-ounce bottles and add 1/2 vanilla bean to each.

Nutrition:

Per ounce: 48 calories (no calories from fat), trace protein, 13 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, no fat, no cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium.



Copycat Chocolate Fudge Sauce

Hands on time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves: Makes 1 1/4 cups

Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 ounce unsweetened chocolate

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a heavy saucepan, stir together sugar and cocoa. Add milk and syrup and stir until blended. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil; continue stirring and boiling for 8 minutes. Remove from heat; add chocolate and butter and stir until melted, then add the cream. Return to the heat and boil an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool; store in the refrigerator in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. To serve, uncover and heat the jar in a saucepan of warm water for a few minutes (or in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds).

Nutrition:

Per tablespoon: 73 calories (percent of calories from fat, 45), trace protein, 9 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 4 grams fat (2 grams saturated), 9 milligrams cholesterol, 21 milligrams sodium.


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Recipe: Oreo Cookie and Chocolate Ice Cream Calypso Pie

Oreo Cookies Image: Ah, childhood pleasures of licking the filling off the cookie and then dunking it in a cold glass of milk... by penguincakes via Flickr

From Denny: This recipe is quite the calorie buster and a definite show-off for the holidays or entertaining! It comes from the Southern Recipe Restoration Project that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is sponsoring. There are a lot of interesting easy recipes you can do with Oreo cookies and this cookie crust for this intriguing special pie is just one of many.

From: Ashley Leckey, a Tallahassee native and University of Georgia graduate who has lived in Atlanta since 2004. This recipe comes from her jack-of-all-trades grandmother, Cele Marcoux, who was an editor at a newspaper, had a line of luxury ties, worked in a dental lab and was even a nurse in the Army. Now that's job experience!

Marcoux often flavored this recipe with her own homemade liqueur and used the sauce recipes supplied below too.

Hands on time: 30 minutes
Total time: 3 hours
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), divided

18 Oreo cookies, crushed

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

1 quart coffee ice cream (or 1 quart vanilla bean ice cream plus coffee-flavored liqueur to taste; see link below to separate recipe)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

Melt 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter. Mix crushed cookies with melted butter; press into bottom and up sides of a 10-inch pie plate and chill.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and remaining butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and salt. Add the evaporated milk gradually, blending well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and almond extracts.

Set aside to cool to room temperature. When the shell is chilled and the sauce has cooled, set out the ice cream to soften slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Fill the pie shell with the ice cream. Put the pie in the freezer until ice cream is firm again.

In the meantime, beat the whipping cream until it just holds a peak. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar. Spread the fudge sauce over the ice cream layer, then mound the top with whipped cream and sprinkle with pecans. Store in the freezer until ready to serve. Remove and let sit a few minutes before slicing.

Nutrition:

Per serving: 482 calories (percent of calories from fat, 63), 5 grams protein, 42 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 35 grams fat (17 grams saturated), 72 milligrams cholesterol, 261 milligrams sodium.



Coffee-flavored Liqueur

Hands on time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Serves: Makes 1 gallon

Ingredients:

4 cups granulated sugar

6 1/2 cups water, divided

1 cup instant coffee

1 (375 milliliter) bottle 190-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear (some of us might prefer a better quality vodka)

2 vanilla beans

Directions:

In a saucepan, combine sugar and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil; simmer for 20 minutes. Cool. Meanwhile, mix instant coffee with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Cool. Combine both mixtures; add alcohol and remaining 2 cups water. Pour into four 16-ounce bottles and add 1/2 vanilla bean to each.

Nutrition:

Per ounce: 48 calories (no calories from fat), trace protein, 13 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, no fat, no cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium.



Copycat Chocolate Fudge Sauce

Hands on time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves: Makes 1 1/4 cups

Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 ounce unsweetened chocolate

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a heavy saucepan, stir together sugar and cocoa. Add milk and syrup and stir until blended. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil; continue stirring and boiling for 8 minutes. Remove from heat; add chocolate and butter and stir until melted, then add the cream. Return to the heat and boil an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool; store in the refrigerator in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. To serve, uncover and heat the jar in a saucepan of warm water for a few minutes (or in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds).

Nutrition:

Per tablespoon: 73 calories (percent of calories from fat, 45), trace protein, 9 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 4 grams fat (2 grams saturated), 9 milligrams cholesterol, 21 milligrams sodium.


Thanks for visiting Romancing The Chocolate!



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Video: 3 Easy Family Favorite Dessert Recipes

From Denny: The Today Show had hundreds of entries for this competition! They were looking for family recipes handed down through the generations and found some good ones that will appeal to a lot of people. These are also fast easy recipes, enjoy! Wait until you see the last one with chocolate, easiest one of all.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

desserts, dessert recipes, recipes, chocolate, baking and confections

Recipe: Easy Cocoa Chocolate Sheet Cake

Image by Lonnon Foster via Flickr

From Denny: Do you need a simple cake recipe that doesn't require a whole lot of fuss? This easy recipe is the answer! What I like about it is that you don't even have to take it out of the pan to frost it. Better yet, while the cake is still hot, you pour hot frosting on top of it. How easy is that?

The frosted cake stays in the pan and you serve from there or you can "make it and take it" to a family gathering or school function for your kids. Try baking it in a disposable aluminum pan and then you can just throw away the pan after they gobble up this chocolatey goodness! :)

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 9x13-inch sheet cake

1 stick butter or margarine

1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 cup cococa

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Frosting (recipe follows)


Directions:

1. Combine butter, oil, cocoa and water and bring to a boil.

2. Mix sugar and flour together and add boiling cocoa mixture. Mix well. When mixture has cooled down a bit, then add the eggs.

3. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk and add to mixture. Add vanilla and cinnamon.

4. Spray with nonstick vegetable cooking spray a 9x13-inch sheet pan. Pour batter into pan. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F. oven for 30 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and frost immediately.


Frosting

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar (granulated)

6 Tablespoons butter or margarine

1/3 cup half-and-half or evaporated milk

1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate

3/4 cup pecans


Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, half-and-half or evaporated milk and chocolate and bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. Continue boiling for about 4 minutes until mixture reaches soft ball stage like in candy making. Remove from heat.

3. Sprinkle pecans over cake. Pour hot frosting on top of cake.

Note: Hide all the forks in your house because this cake won't last long! :)


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Recipe: Swiss Chocolate Cake

Image by norwichnuts via Flickr

From Denny: When this gorgeous photo pulled up for another chocolate recipe I just had to investigate for the recipe. Turns out the recipe is for a special diet when people can't tolerate too much cholesterol or animal products: vegan!

This cake is flourless and eggless. Give this recipe a try if you have diet restrictions or allergies.


From: norwichnuts @ flickr

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

1 ounce unsweetened chocolate

1 cup vegetable margarine, melted

1 1/2 cup raw sugar

1/2 cup water

Egg Replacer for 6 eggs

Garnish of your choice (used Soy Whip and a couple pieces Swiss Chocolate with powdered sugar but some other excellent choices are: whipped kreme, mixed berries and sauce, caramel sauce)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Put chocolate in a bowl and add melted margarine. Boil water and 1 cup sugar. Add to chocolate and whip well, stirring until smooth.

Whip the replacer with remaining sugar. Fold in chocolate. Pour into prepared 8 to 9-inch cake pan (line bottom with parchment paper and "grease" sides with margarine).

Place on cookie sheet and add water to cookie sheet to create a bath. Bake 50 minutes. Cool and refrigerate overnight. Remove from pan, garnish and serve.


Cake, Chocolate, chocolate cake, flourless cake, vegan cake, eggless chocolate cake, cakes and confections, Swiss Chocolate Cake, baking, home, cook

Funny Chocolate Poster

From Denny: StumbleUpon is an endless source of amusement for us. There are some fellow low-life downright snarky chocophiles lurking over there too and here is one funny I found today and thought I'd share. Try saying this joke with a straight face at your next party! :)

Recipe: Dennys Decadent Brownies

From Denny: This is my personal brownie recipe I developed over the years of trying different kinds. We like more of a cake brownie in this house as opposed to the gooey kind, though you really can just undercook anything to get that consistency.

Unfortunately, any time you undercook flour for that gooey consistency you are creating something that isn't digested well, and, well, goes straight to fat in the body. Who wants to put on fat easily? No one is that answer! But I still love my chocolate and brownies, so a cake brownie is a (somewhat) healthier idea. :)

This recipe is quick and easy, as fast as pulling out a mix with preservatives, so why not control what goes into your chocolate food?

Dennys Decadent Cake Brownies

Yield: 16 (2-inch) squares

Ingredients:

3 squares unsweetened chocolate

1/3 cup unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

2 large AA eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup sour cream

(You can use full fat sour cream or the lite version we use in this recipe that is 50% less fat. Don't use no fat version as you need some of the oil to make the recipe work right.)

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ cup chopped pecans (or left whole and placed on top instead on in the batter)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. and grease an 8”x8”x2” square pan.

Melt chocolate and butter carefully in a double boiler over simmering hot water. If you are adept at melting in the microwave without burning the chocolate, this is a faster method – just make sure you stop it every 10 seconds or so to stir, otherwise the chocolate will either burn or separate.

Add sugar, then eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture, stirring well to incorporate. (Brownie dough is best mixed by hand as it becomes stiff dough.)

Add sour cream and stir just until incorporated; don’t over mix. Add chocolate chips and pecans – unless you want to place pecans, whole or chopped, on top.

Bake at 350° F. for 20 – 23 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the pan. Some people like their brownies under cooked and others more so, your preference.

Frosting

In Louisiana, in lieu of frosting we like to sprinkle powdered sugar over everything: beignets (donuts), cakes, cookies, anything chocolate, especially brownies.

If you prefer a thin easy frosting here is a favorite.

Chocolate Glaze

Ingredients:

1 square unsweetened chocolate

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

½ cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

A few Tablespoons hot water

Directions:

Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler or microwave, stirring well. When smooth, now remove from the heat and add the sugar, making a thick paste. Add the vanilla. Add hot water a little at a time until you have a spreadable consistency. Keep adding hot water 1 teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired level – thinner works better and spreads on faster. How much hot water you use will depend upon what time of year you are making this frosting because of the humidity in the air. Enjoy!

Video: Chocolate Production Down - Venezuela's Faded Cacao Crop

From Denny: Here is what all of us chocolate lovers have been dreading - the reduction in production of our beloved cocoa beans. Did you know that weirdo Hugo Chavez is basically in charge of the chocolate industry in Venezuela? Yeah, scary. That's why production is down among other reasons. And you just thought it was bad enough he's in charge of a huge oil reserve in the world, now we hear he's messing with our chocolate too...

For almost 400 years the high-end quality of cocoa beans from Venezuela have been coveted by the best chocolate makers. Yet now Venezuela only accounts for 1% of the global production because of bad politics and outdated technology. Chavez's crazy disorganized and often cavalier bureaucracy has proven to be a daunting challenge to the cocoa farmers. And now comes along squatters the government won't remove from their land!

New York Times videos only have links. Check out this short chocolate news update video contained in the New York Times article, go here.

cocoa, Venezuela, Chavez, politics, chocolate

Recipes: Chocolate Alcoholic Drinks That Taste Like Favorite Foods!

Chocolate cake with frangelico filling Image by DeathByBokeh via Flickr

Photo of Girl Scout chocolate drink

Photo of Chocolate cake with frangelico filling by DeathByBokeh via Flickr

From Denny: OK, these are new ones on me and quite the trend lately for bar drinks to taste like a favorite food. What fun! This reminds me of surreal artwork that tricks the mind. This is the funny food version that tricks the tastebuds. Who cares as long as it tastes good.

Girl Scout Cookie

From: Chow.com
Serves: 1

INGREDIENTS

3/4 ounce peppermint schnapps

3/4 ounce dark crème de cacao

1/2 ounce heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS

Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain into an old-fashioned or highball glass filled with ice.



Variations - Almond Joy: Substitute amaretto for the peppermint schnapps.

Chocolate Cake: Substitute 1/2 ounce each of Frangelico and vodka for the peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao.

Chocolate Cake Shooter:

From a comment on Chow.com: "Frangelico does a very good job of tasting like chocolate cake when paired with vodka. An excellent example is a chocolate cake shooter... equal parts of Frangelico and citron vodka. Sugar a lemon wedge, then bite the lemon and drink the shot. By some weird twist, it ends up tasting almost exactly like chocolate cake."

Recipe: Sour Cream-Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze

From Denny: I seem to have a talent for locating all recipes for the chocolate calorie monsters! :) Have fun with this crazy recipe! Also, if you are a chocolate and peanut butter fiend, then you simply must make this special cake. "I'm just saying..." :)

Sour Cream-Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze

From: Sky High: Irresistable Triple-Layer Cakes
and from SmittenKitchen.com (who made a few amendments)

"This cake is INTENSE. Serve it in the thinnest slices possible, and keep a glass of milk handy." - SmittenKitchen.com

Makes: an 8-inch triple-layer cake
Serves: 12 to 16

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup canola oil

1 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups water

2 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2 cup coarsely chopped peanut brittle (optional, makes the cake very rich)


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of three 8-inch round cakepans. Line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment or waxed paper and butter the paper.

2. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk to combine them well. Add the oil and sour cream and whisk to blend. Gradually beat in the water. Blend in the vinegar and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs and beat until well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and be sure the batter is well mixed. Divide among the 3 prepared cake pans.

3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Let cool in the pans for about 20 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, carefully peel off the paper liners, and let cool completely. (Deb note: These cakes are very, very soft. I found them a lot easier to work with after firming them up in the freezer for 30 minutes. They’ll defrost quickly once assembled. You’ll be glad you did this, trust me.)

4. To frost the cake, place one layer, flat side up, on a cake stand or large serving plate. Spread 2/3 cup cup of the Peanut Butter Frosting evenly over the top. Repeat with the next layer. Place the last layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

Note: Making a crumb coat of frosting – a thin layer that binds the dark crumbs to the cake so they don’t show up in the final outer frosting layer – is a great idea for this cake, or any with a dark cake and lighter-colored frosting. Once you “mask” your cake, let it chill for 15 to 30 minutes until firm, then use the remainder of the frosting to create a smooth final coating.

Note 2: Once the cake is fully frosting, it helps to chill it again and let it firm up. The cooler and more set the peanut butter frosting is, the better drip effect you’ll get from the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze.

5. To decorate with the Chocolate–Peanut Butter Glaze, put the cake plate on a large baking sheet to catch any drips. Simply pour the glaze over the top of the cake, and using an offset spatula, spread it evenly over the top just to the edges so that it runs down the sides of the cake in long drips. Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes to allow the glaze and frosting to set completely. Remove about 1 hour before serving. Decorate the top with chopped peanut brittle.

Peanut Butter Frosting

Makes: about 5 cups

Ingredients:

10 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

2/3 cup smooth peanut butter, preferably a commercial brand (because oil doesn’t separate out)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl often. Continue to beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Add the peanut butter and beat until thoroughly blended.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze

Makes: about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

8 ounces seimsweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/2 cup half-and-half

Directions:

1. In the top of d double boiler or in a bowl set over simmering water, combine the chocolate, peanut butter, and corn syrup. Cook, whisking often, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.

2. Remove from the heat and whisk in the half-and-half, beating until smooth. Use while still warm.

Cake photo by kimberlykv @ flickr

Recipe: University Club's Skillet Chocolate Gooey Cake

Image by culinary.curiosity via Flickr

From Denny: For all you folks who like to try a different way of doing something, here's a way to cook a cake on top of the stove in a skillet! It has to be energy conscious rather than turning on the big oven to bake a cake. It looks like a real calorie monster so you know it tastes divine! For those of you who like gooey cakes and eat raw cake batter this cake is for you! :)

University Club's Skillet Chocolate Gooey Cake

Ingredients:

10 Tablespoons Butter

1 pound chocolate pieces

8 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

melted butter as needed

powdered sugar as needed

Directions:

Melt butter and chocolate pieces in double boiler. Stir until melted and smooth.
Add eggs to the chocolate mixture and whip until smooth. Add sugar and stir until smooth. Fold in the flour. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to incorporate the flour.

Lightly butter the skillet. On low to medium heat, add chocolate batter to skillet. let cook until sides are firm and firmness starts to move toward the center. Carefully turn cake over to cook top. Remember to keep the cake on low to medium heat. The bottom will burn if the fire is too high.

When cake is done all around the outside, place on plate and top with powdered sugar.

The cake will be gooey on the inside. Enjoy.


Baking and Confections, cake, chocolate, Cook, Cooking, Home, skillet cake, chocolate cake

Video: Bobby Flay's Fancy Food Finds

From Denny: I don't know how I missed this cool video discussing the latest food trends like, drumroll, pahleez! chocolate tortilla chips, yum! Chef Bobbly Flay, reporting on what he discovered at the Fancy Food Show, gives you some great ideas on how to pair or use as an ingredient many of these new trendy tasty snack chips.

"TV host and chef Bobby Flay showed off some of the great new foods featured during New York City's Fancy Food Show."


Watch CBS Videos Online

Bobby Flay, Fancy Food Show, New York City, food trends, chocolate

Recipe: Chocolate Bread Pudding With Clear Caramel Sauce - from Soho

Photo from Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chocolate Bread Pudding With Clear Caramel Sauce

From: Soho restaurant, featured in Atlanta Journal-Constitution

From Denny: We love bread pudding in the South! And, ever since I was eleven years old and spent the summer with my Aunt Noelle after my mother died that May right before school let out, I've had a love affair with all things chocolate. Back then, no one ever heard of chocolate bread pudding. But, my Aunt Noelle, an English teacher, was a creative woman and loved to please others so she devised a chocolate version for me - and as a diversion away from the loss of my mother. We spent the whole summer cooking and baking like it was a culinary school!

Today, trained chefs have taken over our childhood fantasies and created more sophisticated versions that are pure Heaven! Take a look at this gem I found today! I could pass on the caramel sauce and enjoy with a little powdered sugar and fresh strawberries. I prefer to get down to the business of diving into pure chocolate. :)

Which do you prefer: caramel sauce or no sauce?

Chocolate Bread Pudding With Clear Caramel Sauce

From the menu of . . . Soho
4300 Paces Ferry Road S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
770-801-0069

Q: I recently dined at SoHo in Vinings, and after dinner everyone in my party insisted that I try the chocolate bread pudding for dessert. It was divine! - Tom Reagan, Winston

A: SoHo co-owner Frank Smith wasn't surprised by the request; he says the chocolate bread pudding has been the restaurant's top-selling dessert for nine years. "When you see it, you think it's going to be very dense and heavy, but it's very light and airy - and people love it, " he said. "It's not your typical fudge brownie dessert."

Chocolate Bread Pudding With Clear Caramel Sauce

Hands on time: 20 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Serves: 8

Ingredients:

1 quart heavy whipping cream

1 pound (about 7 slices) fresh bread crumbs

11 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

8 egg yolks

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Clear Caramel Sauce (see recipe below)

Clear Caramel Sauce:

Yield: 1 cup

Hands on: 5 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

Directions: Although the sauce will nearly solidify as it cools, it melts quickly in the microwave.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup water, divided

Directions:

For Pudding:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bring a tea kettle of water to a simmer. In a saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Meanwhile, place the bread crumbs and chocolate in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Lightly coat an 8-by-12-inch or 9-by-13-inch pan with butter; set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar. Whisk in a small amount of the heated cream, then whisk the egg yolk mixture into the hot cream. Remove the saucepan from the heat; whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour the cream mixture over the bread crumbs and chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted.

Transfer to the prepared pan. Place the pan in a larger baking dish and pour the simmering water into the outer pan, about 1 inch up the sides. Bake the bread pudding in its water bath for 30 to 40 minutes, until set in the center. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce. (Note: Bread pudding can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 325 degree oven or in the microwave.)

For Clear Caramel Sauce:

Combine sugar and 1/2 cup water in a heavy saucepan. Cook over high heat, swirling occasionally to dissolve sugar, and bring to a boil. Boil until the liquid turns caramel in color, 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully add remaining 1/2 cup water and swirl to dissolve. Transfer mixture to heat-resistant glass or ceramic bowl. Cool slightly before serving, or cool to room temperature and then reheat a few seconds in microwave before serving.

Per serving: 129 calories (percent of calories from fat, 0), no protein, 33 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, no fat, no cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium.

Notes:

Any recipe that starts with a quart of heavy cream has just got to be good. And this one just keeps getting better, with bittersweet chocolate and an easy-to-make caramel sauce.

Tester's note: Quality bittersweet chocolate can be expensive and a bit hard to find. A reasonable substitute is to use 1 (12-ounce) bag of miniature semisweet chocolate chips, minus 1/4 cup. Because semisweet chocolate is sweeter than bittersweet, reduce the granulated sugar from 1/2 cup to 1/3 cup.

Nutrition:

Per serving: 876 calories (percent of calories from fat, 70), 14 grams protein, 56 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams fiber, 73 grams fat (42 grams saturated), 376 milligrams cholesterol, 363 milligrams sodium.