CHOCOLATE!

For those of you who follow my blogs, you know I love chocolate!  And being a diabetic for the past 5 years hasn't changed that one bit.  It warms my heart to know that my blog readers also love chocolate.  Recipes containing chocolate get many more hits on this blog than any other type.  So if you think I post too many chocolate recipes because that is what I like, you are wrong.  I post so many chocolate recipes because that is what my readers demand.  Way to go, readers!

INFO ON VANILLA

Have you ever wondered how to substitute one type of vanilla for another?  If so, here are the substitutions:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste = 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 whole vanilla bean = 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

You can figure the other variations from there.

HOMEMADE SPICED TEA MIX

1 cup Country Time lemonade-flavored tea mix
1 cup Tang orange drink powder
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Combine all ingredients together well.  Store in a large zip-top plastic food storage bag for home use or put in a pretty glass jar to give as a gift.  If giving as a gift, don't forget to include the instructions for making a cup of tea (below).

To make a cup of hot tea: Place 2 heaping tablespoonsful of the mixture into a cup or mug.  Add 1 cup boiling water and stir gently.

Yield: 2 cups of mix

Homemade Spiced Tea Ready for Gifting

 

Note: This is my version of an old Southern Living Recipe

DARK CHOCOLATE CHUNK CHERRY CAKE FROM SOUTHERN LIVING 2006

Unsweetened cocoa
1 box (18 1/4-oz) yellow cake mix with pudding
1/2 cup sugar
1 box (3.8-oz) devil's food instant pudding mix
4 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1 carton (8-oz) sour cream
1 tbsp vanilla extract
5 bars (3-oz) dark chocolate bars, divided (Ghirardelli works well)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
1 tbsp butter
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Grease a 12-cup Bundt pan, dust with the unsweetened cocoa and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix, sugar, and pudding mix together; set aside.

With an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the eggs, oil, water, sour cream, and vanilla together until blended.  Gradually add to the cake mix mixture and beat for 2 minutes.

Coarsely chop 3 of the chocolate bars and fold, along with the cherries, into the cake batter.  Pour batter into the prepared Bundt pan.

Bake cake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.  Remove from pan, cool completely on wire rack.

Coarsely chop 1 chocolate bar; place in a small bowl with the butter.

Bring the whipping cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.  Remove from heat and immediately pour over the chocolate and butter; whisk until smooth.  Cool for 3 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Drizzle chocolate over the cake. 

Coarsely chop the last chocolate bar and sprinkle over the cake.

Yield: 12 servings

Note: For the holidays, I like to place some well-drained maraschino cherries over the top.

3-LAYER GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE/COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING

4-oz German's sweet chocolate
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
4 large egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line the bottoms of 3 9-inch round baking pans with waxed paper.  Very lightly spray sides and bottoms of pans with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt the chocolate in the boiling water; cool.

In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.  Blend in the vanilla extract and chocolate mixture.  Alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk, beating after each addition until smooth. 

Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into the batter.

Pour batter evenly into the three prepared pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean.  Remove from oven and immediately run a thin spatula or knife around edges of cakes to llosen from pans.  Cool in the pans for 15 minutes.  Remove from pans, remove waxed paper, and cool completely on wire racks.  Spread the filling/frosting (recipe below) between layers and over top.

Filling/Frosting:
1 cup heavy cream (or evaporated milk)
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, egg yolks, butter, and vanilla extract.  Cook mixture, stirring constantly, over medium heat until thickened - 10-12 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the coconut and pecans.  Cool until of spreading consistency, beating occasionally.

To assemble cake: Place one layer, bottom side down on cake plate and top with a layer of the frosting/filling.  Top filling with a second layer, add a layer of filling.  Top filling with last layer and top with the remaining frosting.

CANDY CORN-MARSHMALLOW CRISPY TREATS

1/4 cup butter
6 cups miniature marshmallows
12 drops yellow food coloring
4 drops red food coloring
6 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups candy corn

In a large microwaveable bowl, microwave butter on high 45 seconds or until melted.  Add the marshmallows and toss to coat.  Microwave 1 1/2 minutes or until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is well blended.  Stir in the food colors after the first 45 seconds.

Add the cereal and candy corn; mix well.  Press onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Allow to cool completely before cutting into 12 bars.  Cut each bar in two diagonally.

Yield: 24 diagonals

Note: This is a Kraft Foods Recipe.

BLACK RASPBERRY DUMPLINGS

1 quart fresh or frozen black raspberries
1 1/4 cus sugar, divided
1 cup water
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 cups Bisquick or same-type product
1 cup milk
additional tablespoon or so of sugar, optional
dash of ground nutmeg, optional

Combine the raspberries, 1 cup of the sugar, water, and cornstarch is a large saucepan.  Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring almost constantly; reduce heat to low.

In a mixing bowl combine the Bisquick, milk, and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and mix together until a soft dough forms.  Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the berry mixture and cook over low heat, uncovered, 10 minutes.  Cover pan and cook another 10 to 15 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked through.

If desired, combine some sugar and nutmeg and sprinkle over the dumplings just before serving.

Note: Great with cream or ice cream!

Yield: 10 to 12 servings

I have had this recipe for several years.  I believe I got it from a TOH magazine.

SIMPLE HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM

1 quart whole milk
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
dash of salt, optional
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat but only until tiny bubbles start to appear; do not boil.  Stir in the sugar and salt.  Lower temperature to low.

Stir a tiny beat of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, mixing well.  Stir the egg mixture back into the mixture in saucepan and cook over low heat while stirring for a couple of minutes.  Be careful you do not allow mixture to boil.  Stir in the cream and allow the mixture to cool down; add the vanilla.

Pour into ice cream freezer and follow manufacturer's directions.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

LUBY'S CHOCOLATE ICE BOX PIE

This is one of the most popular pies at a chain of cafeterias here in Texas.

2 1/2 cups milk, divided
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tbsp butter
7 tbsp cornstarch
3 extra large egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 baked 9-inch pie shell
sweetened whip cream for garnish

In a medium saucepan, combine two cups of the milk with the sugar, cocoa, and butter.  Cooking over medium heat, bring just to a boil.

In a medium mixing bowl, mix the cornstarch and remaing milk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.  Whisk in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until well blended.  Gradually add the egg mixture to the chocolate mixture in the saucepan, whisking constantly.  Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and smooth, approximately 2 minutes.

Remove mixture from the heat and stir in the marshmallows until melted and smooth.  Pour filling into the pie shell.  Cover with plasstic wrap that you press down directly onto the filling.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

To serve, remove the plastic wrap, slice, and garnish each slice with whipped cream and some chocolate curls or miniature chocolate chips, if desired.

PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW CREME FUDGE #1

4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 tall can evaporated milk
1 pkg peanut butter chips
1 tsp vanilla
1 small jar marshmallow creme

In a heavy saucepan combine the sugar, butter, and milk; bring to a boil.  Boil the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes; remove from heat and add the chips, vanilla, and marshmallow creme.  Beat well by stirring pour into a buttered 8-inch square pan.

CARROT-ZUCCHINI MUFFINS

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup skim milk
3 tbsp canola oil
2 egg whites
1 cup finely shredded carrots
1/2 cup shredded unpeeled zucchini

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spray 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray or line cups with paper baking cups lightly sprayed with the nonstick spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt mixing together well.

In a small bowl, combine the milk, oil, and egg whites; blend well.  Add to the dry ingredients all at once and stir just until moistened.  Stir in the carrots and zucchini just until blended.  Spoon batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake the muffins at 400 degrees for 16 to 21 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown and a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from the pan immediately and serve while still warm.

CHILLED LEMON CHEESECAKE BARS

CRUST:
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup all-purpose flour
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, salt and nutmeg together until smooth.  Add the flour, beating at low speed until blended. 

Spray an 8-inch square pan with the nonstick cooking spray.  Press the crust mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
While the crust bakes, prepare the filling.

FILLING:
1 cup low-fat (1%) cottage cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp lemon zest
3 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 large egg
1 large egg white

Process cottage cheese in food processor for a minute or until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.  Add the sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, baking powder, egg, and egg white; process 30 seconds or until well blended.  Pour over the baked crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until set.  Cool 30 minutes.  Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.  Cut into bars.

To serve cut into 9 squares and garnish with thin lemon slices or thin strips of lemon rind that has been curled, if desired.

BASIC WALNUT FUDGE BROWNIES WITH ADD INS

4 squares (1-oz each) unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (may substitute pecans, if desired)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees for a metal baking pan or 325 for a glass baking dish.
Grease a 13 x 9-inch pan and set aside.

In a large glass mixing bowl melt the chocolate and butter together in the microwave on high for 2 minutes or until butter is completely melted when stirred.  Stir until the chocolate is totally melted.

Stir the sugar into the chocolate mixer until completely blended.  Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.  Stir in the flour and the walnuts until well blended.  Spread the mixture into the prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out with fudgy crumbs attached.  Be careful not to overbake!  Cool in the pan on a wire rack then cut into 24 squares.

Add ins to make CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES
1 pkg (8-oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Prepare the above recipe as directed above but use 4 eggs instead of 3!  Spread in 13 x 9-inch greased pan as above.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and flour in the bowl you just mixed the brownies in.  Beat until well blended.  Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the brownie mixture in pan and swirl with a knife to marbleize.  Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Add ins to make WALNUT CRUNCH BROWNIES
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups chopped walnuts

Prepare brownies as directed above in original recipe but use 4 eggs instead of three and omit the walnuts.  Spread the batter in greased 9 x 13-inch pan.

Microwave the brown sugar and butter together in a small to medium glass mixing bowl.  Microwave on high for 1 minute or until the butter is melted.  Stir in the eggs, flour, and vanilla extract until well blended.  Stir in the chopped nuts and spread the mixture evenly over the brownie batter in the pan.  Bake for 45 minutes.